Companies can have parallel company names in different languages

You can register a company name in two or more languages if the contents of the different versions conform to each other. A parallel company name is the company name in a language other than that of the actual company name.

Companies entered in the Trade Register can file a parallel company name for registration. A parallel company name must pass the PRH’s name examination to be entered in the Trade Register. Parallel company names must fulfil the same basic requirements as actual company names to be valid for registration. 

When you file a parallel company name with the Trade Register, the actual company name must always be in either Finnish or Swedish.

Example of a parallel company name:

The actual company name is "Kuluttajatuotteet ABC Oy", and its parallel is "Konsumentprodukter ABC Ab" in Swedish and Consumer Products ABC Ltd" in English.

The actual company name is "Pargas blomsterhandel Ab", and its parallel is "Paraisten kukkakauppa Oy" in Finnish.

Not like this: The actual company name is "Consumer products ABC Ltd" and its parallel is "Kuluttajatuotteet ABC Oy".

Not all company names, especially coined ones, can be translated. In such cases, parallel company names can be constructed as follows:

"Ramux Oy" and its parallel names "Ramux Ab" in Swedish and "Ramux Ltd" in English.

The actual name can also contain the suffix showing the business type in several languages, for example:

"Oy Deredecano Ab"
"Star Invest Oy Ltd".

How to decide on adopting a parallel company name

A limited liability company’s parallel names must be entered in the articles of association. The parallel names of a general or limited partnership must be entered in the partnership agreement, and the parallel names of a co-operative must be entered in the rules. 

Below is an example of wording for recording parallel company names in the organisation rules (articles of association, partnership agreement, rules): 

"The company name is Ramux Oy; in Swedish Ramux Ab and in English Ramux Ltd". 

As regards private traders, it is sufficient that they file the parallel company name with the Trade Register. 

Filing parallel company names in the start-up phase 

Limited liability companies can file their parallel company names in the start-up phase using the online service at ytj.fi or a paper form (form Y). 

Other company forms, such as general partnerships, limited partnerships, private traders and co-operatives, can file their parallel company names in the start-up phase using paper forms. 

The name examination of a parallel company name is included in the handling fee of the start-up notification. 

File a start-up notification using the online service at ytj.fi.Open link in a new tab

Filing parallel company names later 

Companies already entered in the Trade Register can also decide to adopt a parallel company name. 

You can file the parallel company name with a notification of changes using the online service at ytj.fi or a paper form (form Y). 

The handling fee for online filing is 70 euros per parallel company name. If the organisation rules are changed, the handling fee for the parallel company name will be added to the handling fee for changing the articles of association, the rules, or the partnership agreement. 

Using paper forms, the handling fee is 70 euros per parallel company name for private traders. For organisations that file a change to their organisation rules, the handling fee for the parallel company name is included in the handling fee for changing the articles of association, rules, or partnership agreement. 

See our price list for Trade Register handling fees.

File a notification of changes using the online service at ytj.fi.Open link in a new tab

Names and indications of company forms in different languages