Foreign CompanySetup
Countries / Europe / United Kingdom

Country & jurisdiction guide

Company setup in United Kingdom

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · 33 legal forms listed

GB
CapitalLondon
CurrencyGBP
LanguagesEnglish
RegionNorthern Europe

Start with the right structure

Explore legal entity forms and registration sources for United Kingdom. Use the local terminology below when discussing your application with the relevant authority.

Private limited companies

A private limited company needs at least one director and, for a company limited by shares, at least one shareholder. Directors need not live in the UK, but the company needs a UK registered office.

Official guidance ↗

Prepare your application

Choose the company name, identify the people with significant control, prepare the constitutional documents and follow Companies House identity-verification requirements.

Official guidance ↗

What to confirm before applying

These are planning questions, not verified United Kingdom requirements.

Foreign ownership & activity

Ask whether your nationality, ownership percentage and proposed business activity require investment approval, a local partner or a sector licence.

Directors & local presence

Confirm the required directors, shareholders, registered office, local representative and any residency or company-secretary rules.

Capital & incorporation costs

Obtain the current minimum capital, filing fees, notarisation costs, translations and annual renewal or service charges for the selected legal form.

Tax & ongoing compliance

Verify corporate tax, VAT or sales tax, withholding, beneficial-ownership reporting, accounting, audit and annual-return obligations.

Banking & immigration

Check bank onboarding and source-of-funds evidence separately. Company registration should not be treated as approval for banking, residence or work permission.

Explore investment rules with UNCTAD ↗

Your setup preparation checklist

Use this general sequence with the authority’s country-specific instructions. Ticks are temporary and reset when you leave this page.

Registration authorities

Sources listed by GLEIF. Some authorities cover regulated entities or validation only; check the relevant remit before applying. Links have not all been individually revalidated.

GLEIF authority list v1.8.1, November 2024 ↗