Set up a company in the UK and keep it compliant from one partner.
The UK is straightforward to incorporate in and notoriously easy to fall behind in.
Entity type
Private limited company (Ltd)
Registrar
Companies House
Directors required
1 minimum, 1 shareholder
Registration at Companies House can happen in a day, which tempts founders to treat the UK as a low-effort market — right up to the first late-filing penalty. We set the company up properly and then keep the filings, accounts and tax on schedule, so the simplicity at the start does not turn into a problem later.
Our role
United Kingdom
A market that’s easy to enter stays easy to keep in good standing
Entity setup and registrations
Accounting and tax compliance
Global payroll
Tax rates, thresholds and statutory requirements in the United Kingdom change and vary by activity. Treat the figures above as a starting point — we confirm the current position with you before anything is filed.
What it takes to incorporate
A private limited company (Ltd) registered with Companies House, with at least one director and one shareholder.
A registered office address in the relevant UK jurisdiction — which we provide where you have no local premises.
Identification of persons with significant control (PSC) — the UK’s beneficial-ownership register, which must be kept accurate.
A share structure and constitution set up to match your ownership and investment plans.
What it takes to operate
Corporation Tax registration with HMRC, and the annual company tax return and payment.
VAT registration once turnover crosses the threshold — or voluntarily where it helps — with quarterly digital returns under Making Tax Digital.
PAYE payroll registration as an employer, with real-time reporting to HMRC and pension auto-enrolment for eligible staff.
Annual obligations — the confirmation statement and annual accounts filed at Companies House, on deadlines that carry automatic penalties when missed.
FAQs
United Kingdom
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question about setting up here? Talk to an expert
Do I need a UK resident director to set up a UK Private Limited Company (Ltd)?
No, UK company law does not require directors or shareholders to be UK residents or citizens. However, your company must maintain an official UK Registered Office Address to receive statutory notices from Companies House and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Spera provides registered address services, resident secretarial support, and corporate governance to ensure non-resident founders maintain smooth operational standing.
How long does it take to register a UK company and open a business bank account?
Incorporating a private limited company with Companies House typically takes 24 to 48 hours. Opening a UK business bank account takes longer—often 3 to 6 weeks—due to stringent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for foreign-owned entities. Spera prepares bank-ready compliance packages and facilitates direct introductions to UK clearing banks and digital corporate banking providers to speed up account activation.
What are the primary UK tax and payroll registration requirements for foreign entities?
Once incorporated, your UK subsidiary must fulfill several mandatory HMRC registrations: • Corporation Tax: Must be registered with HMRC within 3 months of starting business activity. • VAT (Value Added Tax): Mandatory if your taxable turnover exceeds the UK threshold (or if you supply goods/services inside the UK as a non-established business). • PAYE (Pay As You Earn): Required if you hire local employees or pay directors above the National Insurance threshold.
What ongoing statutory filings are required by Companies House and HMRC?
To stay fully compliant and avoid financial penalties, UK companies must submit two core annual filings: • Annual Confirmation Statement: Submitted to Companies House to verify company details, shareholder structures, and Persons with Significant Control (PSC). • Annual Accounts & Company Tax Return (CT600): Submitted to Companies House and HMRC within 9 months of your financial year-end.
Can a UK entity be used as an intermediate holding company for international growth?
Yes. The UK is a favored destination for intermediate holding structures due to its extensive network of double-taxation treaties, lack of withholding tax on dividend distributions to foreign parent companies, and the Substantial Shareholding Exemption (SSE) on capital gains. Spera performs a market-entry study to determine whether a UK holding company or a direct operating subsidiary aligns best with your global tax and expansion strategy.