Yritysmuodot

Proprietorship (toiminimi): The simplest (and most popular) way to start in business is to operate as a private entrepreneur using a company name. Decision-making and responsibility in the company belong with the entrepreneur, and the company may employ workers as in other forms of business. For part-time entrepreneurship it is often beneficial to start as a proprietorship. Starting business in this way is speedy and uncomplicated.

Partnership (avoin yhtiö): A partnership is formed when two or more individuals agree to it by signing a partnership agreement. The partners have equal status in all the company’s operations and are personally responsible for company decisions, liabilities and debts.

Limited partnership (kommandiittiyhtiö): A limited partnership differs from an ordinary partnership in that in addition to one or more accountable partners there is at least one sleeping partner.

Limited company (osakeyhtiö): Establishment of a limited company requires at least one individual or corporation, and its minimum share capital is 2,500 euros. The share capital is divided into shares: a shareholder’s voting power, profit and liability depend on how many shares he owns.

Cooperative association (osuuskunta): A corporate enterprise that carries out economic operations in support of its members’ finances and livelihood. A minimum of 3 persons can form a cooperative association, which may include individual members or companies, each having one vote in cooperative association meetings. The liability of cooperative association members is limited to their investment of share capital.

More information about the company forms is available on the EnterpriseFinland website in Finnish, Swedish and English.