UK Company Registration

Why Register a Company in the UK?

A UK company can suit a business with customers, staff, operations or investment in the UK. The decision should follow the real operating model rather than a headline tax rate. For the financial year beginning 1 April 2026, the UK main Corporation Tax rate is 25% and the small-profits rate is 19%, with marginal relief between the applicable limits. Associated companies and other rules can affect those limits.

Types of UK Companies

• Private Limited Company (Ltd) — The most common type, suitable for most businesses. Shareholders' liability is limited to their investment.
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) — Popular for professional services firms. Partners have limited liability.
• Public Limited Company (PLC) — For companies planning to offer shares to the public or list on a stock exchange.

What's Included

• Company name availability check with Companies House
• Preparation and filing of all incorporation documents
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Registered office address in the UK
• Share certificates for initial shareholders
• All Companies House filing fees
• Guidance on UK bank account opening

Requirements

• At least one director (can be any nationality, no UK residency requirement)
• At least one shareholder (can be the same person as the director)
• A registered office address in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
• A person with significant control (PSC) must be identified
• Directors and PSCs must satisfy the current Companies House identity-verification requirements and use their personal codes where required

Check the current Companies House identity guidance before filing. Identity verification became a legal requirement, and a company cannot complete some later filings unless its directors have complied.

UK & Ireland — Dual Company Setup

An Irish business may use a UK subsidiary, branch or separate company where there is a real commercial reason. Each structure has different company-law, tax, VAT, payroll and reporting consequences. Cross-border legal and tax advice should be obtained before creating both entities.

Timeline

Companies House processing depends on the filing method, identity requirements and whether the application is queried. The official fee schedule currently lists separate online, software and paper routes, including a software same-day service, but availability and acceptance are controlled by Companies House. We do not promise a fixed incorporation date.