Private trader’s Start-up Notification

A natural person resident in the European Economic Area can operate as a private trader in business in Finland. As a private trader, you must report for registration at the Trade Register if

you operate in a licensed trade,
you operate in permanent premises, such as a room separate from your home, or
you employ people other than your immediate family members (your spouse, or your child/grandchild who is a minor or under guardianship).

If you are engaged in agriculture or fishing, you need not register at the Trade Register. However, a trader not obliged to file a Start-up Notification can submit one. Registration is the best way to protect the name of your business.

For information about trades that either are licensed or require particular notification, go to the EnterpriseFinland web portal.

Please note that you must submit the Start-up Notification before starting your business.

Notification to the Trade Register

Form Y3
If you already have a Business ID, which means that your business is already recorded in a register maintained by the Tax Administration, you must fill in and file the amendment notification form Y6 with the Trade Register.
The form must be signed by you or someone authorised by you. If an authorised person signs the notification, either the original general power of attorney or a certified copy of a special power of attorney must be attached.

Handling fee

105 euros (must be paid in advance; please click on Price List to the right for payment instructions)

Useful tips

Business licence

In order to operate in a licensed trade, you need a licence, the granting of which must be reported to the Trade Register. If you already have a licence when filing your Start-up Notification, please enclose a certified copy of it; if a licence has not yet been granted, you must use the amendment notification form Y6 to notify us when you get it.

Business ID

A new business is given an ID once its Start-up Notification has been registered in the Business Information System (BIS). The authorities issuing Business IDs are: National Board of Patents and Registration, Local Tax Offices, Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres), and Local Register Offices.

An issued Business ID is viewable on the Business Information System (BIS) (search by your suggested business name) within two to three working days after you filed/posted your notification.