Start a business and file a start-up notification with the Finnish Trade Register
The Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) maintains the Finnish Trade Register.
The register is public. Anyone is entitled to obtain information about the entries made in the register.
Our advisory service provides advice in matters relating to notifications and applications to be submitted to the Trade Register.
On this page:
- Other services to help you start a business
- Company names
- Type of business
- Line of business
- Instructions on filing your notification in the menu
- Permits to persons from outside the European Economic Area
- File your financial statements after the end of the financial period
- Monitor the progress of your notification
Other services to help you start a business
When you need help to start a business, contact regional Enterprise Agencies.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen You will also find a comprehensive information service for new businesses at the Suomi.fi website.
The Enterprise Finland advisory serviceAvautuu uuteen välilehteen provides assistance for both new and more established businesses.
Business FinlandAvautuu uuteen välilehteen provides information on setting up your business or expanding your operations in Finland.
For advice on taxation, please contact the advisory service at the Finnish Tax Administration.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen
Registered FI domain names are listed on the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) website.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen
Company names
Choose your company name carefully. A name registration with the Finnish Trade Register gives you the exclusive right to the name. Do not publish the company name before it has been entered into the Trade Register. Read more about filing company names.
Type of business
If you need more advice on how to choose the right type of business, please contact the service providers mentioned above, for example Suomi.fiAvautuu uuteen välilehteen, for further help.
Line of business
The line of business registered in the Finnish Trade Register defines the company’s business activities. A well-defined line of business makes it clear what field the company operates in and what it is doing. Read more about how to formulate the line of business.
Instructions on filing your notification in the menu
You will find the detailed instructions on how to file a start-up notification by company type in the menu.
File your start-up notification using the online filing service at ytj.fi, if possible. Please note that the service is available in Finnish and Swedish.
Please note that companies must file their notifications and applications online with the Finnish Trade Register from 1 January 2026. This does not apply to private traders, associations or foundations. Read more about mandatory online filing.
Permits to persons from outside the European Economic Area
If you are living permanently outside the European Economic Area (EEA), you may need a permit to set up a business. Read more about permits to persons from outside the EEA.
File your financial statements after the end of the financial period
Most companies must file their financial statements with the Trade Register after the end of the financial period. Read more about filing financial statements.
Monitor the progress of your notification
See the processing times in the Trade Register.
You can monitor the processing status of your notification to the Trade Register via the Notification Search in the Virre Information Service.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen