Auxiliary company names

Traders, businesses and organisations entered in the Trade Register can register an auxiliary company name for running a certain part of their operations. In order to gain an exclusive right to use an auxiliary company name, you must either register the name or establish it as provided in the Trade Names Act.

Please remember to fill in the name(s) on the notification form even if you have a board meeting decision attached where the decision to adopt the new auxiliary company name(s) can be read.

You can register an auxiliary company name with the Trade Register by filing a Start-Up Notification or a Notification on Amendments. Each type of business has a specific form for this purpose.

Please note:

In order to be valid for entering in the register, an auxiliary company name must fulfil the same basic requirements as those for actual company names. This means that an auxiliary company name must differ from the names already registered. Furthermore, it must not be confusingly similar to registered company names or trademarks, and it must be able to individualise the business. Please also note that an auxiliary company name must not contain any identifying suffix (such as ltd or plc). Read more in the Company name instructions.

A business can run a part of its operations by using an auxiliary company name

The business run under the auxiliary company name must not cover the company’s whole line of business. When you notify an auxiliary company name for registration with the Trade Register, you must, at the same time, indicate which part of the company’s line of business it applies to.

For example:

• The line of business of Ramux Ltd is construction, sale of technochemical products and car rental. The company sells technochemical products under the auxiliary company name “Don’s Detergent” and rents cars under the auxiliary name “Martin the Motorist”.

If a company’s line of business consists of one type of business only, e.g. restaurants, the line of business under the auxiliary company name must be limited for example geographically so that it is narrower than the main line of business.

For example:

• The company “Starworld Ltd” operates in the sale of shoes. It uses the auxiliary company name "Espoo Star Shoe" for its shoe shop in the city of Espoo, and the auxiliary name "Tikkurila Shoes” for its shoe shop in Tikkurila, in the city of Vantaa.

Decision to adopt an auxiliary company name

• A private trader can independently decide to adopt an auxiliary company name.
• In general and limited partnerships, the general partners may decide to adopt an auxiliary company name. The auxiliary company name does not have to be entered in the partnership agreement.
• In limited liability companies, co-operatives and non-profit associations, the board of directors can decide to adopt an auxiliary company name. Thus, the name does not have to be entered in the articles of association or organisation rules. The decision must state the business that is run under the auxiliary company name (it must form part of the line of business of the trader, company or organisation).

Handling fee

When filing a notification to the Trade Register, please note that a separate handling fee (€95 per auxiliary company name) must be paid, see Price list and How to pay.

Decision to give up an auxiliary company name

The decision to give up an auxiliary company name is made by the same organ that initially decided to adopt it. For instance in a limited liability company, the board of directors makes the decision if the auxiliary name is not included in the articles of association. The handling fee for giving up an auxiliary company name or auxiliary company names is €85.