UK Company Registration | Set Up a Company in the UK (Ltd)
Looking for UK company registration or planning to set up a company in the UK? Most foreign founders register a private limited company (Ltd) online with Companies House. Foreign owners can hold 100% of the shares, and directors can be of any nationality and live anywhere. From 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control must complete identity verification (ID verification).
The Companies House online registration fee is £100 (£124 on paper), and the annual confirmation statement costs £50 online. Corporation Tax is 19% on annual profits up to £50,000 and 25% above £250,000. The standard VAT rate is 20% and the registration threshold is £90,000. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop service for UK Ltd company formation, covering entity choice, ID verification, registered office address, Companies House registration, HMRC tax registration and bank account opening, to help businesses enter the UK and European markets.
English common law underpins the legal systems of many countries. UK commercial law is mature, transparent and predictable, and gives strong protection to commercial contracts and intellectual property.
UK Corporation Tax is 19% (the small profits rate) on annual profits up to £50,000 and 25% (the main rate) on profits above £250,000. Marginal Relief can apply in between.
London brings together talent in finance, law, technology and the creative industries. UK company directors can be of any nationality, so it is easy to build a cross-border management team.
London is the venture capital capital of Europe, with an active investment ecosystem that offers startups funding from seed to later stages. The government also offers tax incentives such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) to encourage investment in early-stage companies.
UK company registration is almost fully digital and run by Companies House. Online registration is usually completed within 24 hours, and the fee is £100.
Even after Brexit, the UK remains an attractive place to do business. Its core strengths are:
The most popular company type in the UK is the private limited company (Ltd). It is a separate legal entity, and shareholders are liable only up to the amount they invest. UK company registration is handled by Companies House and can be completed online.
The UK combines a long-standing business reputation with modern efficiency. NSS Group can help you complete your UK company registration quickly and smoothly, and advise on accounting, tax compliance and business development after setup.
Your company name must be unique. It cannot be the same as, or too similar to, an existing registered name, and it must end with Limited or Ltd. You can check availability instantly with the Companies House online search tool.
A company needs at least one director who is a natural person. There are no nationality or residency requirements for directors, and a shareholder can also be the director. From 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control (PSC) must first complete Companies House identity verification and get a personal code. If you are overseas, you can verify through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
The company must have a registered office address in the UK (England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland). All official letters are sent there, and the address is public. You must also provide an appropriate company email address.
The Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association are the core governing documents of the company. A standard private limited company can simply adopt the Companies House model articles.
The whole registration can be completed online on the Companies House website. You enter the company details, the directors, shareholders and people with significant control, and the SIC code for your business activity, then pay the £100 registration fee (£124 on paper). Online registration is usually completed within 24 hours; paper applications take about 8 to 10 days.
After incorporation, register for Corporation Tax with HMRC, register for VAT once turnover reaches the threshold, and open a business account with a UK bank or digital bank for day-to-day transactions.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of the Articles of Association
- Collection of the certificate of incorporation
- Advice on choosing a UK bank or digital bank
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Support after the account is opened
- Registered office address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing services
- Document storage and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangements
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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Good customer service is key to a successful business. We include a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and improves customer satisfaction.
A professional, well-designed website is your company’s front door online. We offer full web design services so your site looks good and works well.
Online marketing is a key part of business success today. We offer professional online marketing services, including SEO, social media marketing and content marketing.
Every NSS Group company formation package includes an exclusive free all-in-one AI business management system, valued at NT$360,000
One AI system to run your whole operation: 12 systems, 75+ feature modules and 15 AI tools covering the full business workflow, so a new company can get up and running fast.
- Company name search and registration
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of the Articles of Association
- Certificate of incorporation and company documents
- Registered office address for the first year
The final cost depends on the company type, share structure and any extra services you need. Our quotes are transparent, with no hidden fees.
Companies House fees are charged separately: £100 for online registration (£124 on paper) and £50 for the annual confirmation statement online. ID verification through GOV.UK One Login is free. See the fee breakdown below.
UK company formation cost: Companies House fees explained
Official fees for setting up a UK company are charged by Companies House. Since the change on 1 May 2024, online registration costs £100. Each item is listed below so you can check quotes line by line.
| Item | Official fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private limited company registration (online or software) | £100 | Usually registered within 24 hours |
| Private limited company registration (paper form IN01) | £124 | About 8 to 10 days by post |
| Same-day registration (software) | £156 | Same-day processing through registration software |
| Annual confirmation statement | £50 online, £110 on paper | Filed at least once every 12 months |
| Identity verification (ID verification) | Free through GOV.UK One Login | Verification through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is charged at the provider's rate |
| Registered office, company secretary and agent services | Quoted per case; NSS Group gives a free assessment followed by a written quote | |
Fees follow the gov.uk Companies House fees notice (updated September 2026), checked in October 2026. The latest official notice prevails.
UK company tax basics: Corporation Tax and VAT
A UK company must register for Corporation Tax with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and must register for VAT if its sales of goods and services reach the threshold.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporation Tax (small profits rate) | 19% | Applies to annual profits up to £50,000. |
| Corporation Tax (main rate) | 25% | Applies to annual profits above £250,000. Marginal Relief can apply between £50,000 and £250,000. The limits are reduced in proportion to the length of the accounting period and the number of associated companies. |
| VAT standard rate | 20% | There is also a 5% reduced rate and a 0% zero rate. Financial services and some property transactions are exempt. |
| VAT registration threshold | £90,000 of taxable turnover in 12 months | Businesses established outside the UK that supply goods or services in the UK must register regardless of turnover. |
| Corporation Tax filing and payment | Pay 9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting period; file within 12 months | Submit the Company Tax Return to HMRC together with the statutory accounts. |
| Companies House accounts | First accounts within 21 months of incorporation | After that, file every year based on the financial year, plus a confirmation statement every year. |
Rates follow gov.uk notices. For your own case, ask a UK accountant to review your actual structure.
UK Ltd company or UK branch? Entity comparison
Foreign companies that set up in the UK usually compare two options: a private limited company (Ltd) or a UK establishment of the overseas company.
| Item | Private limited company (Ltd) | UK establishment of an overseas company |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity; shareholders' liability is limited to their investment | Not a separate legal entity; the parent company is liable |
| Registering body | Companies House, £100 for online registration | Companies House overseas company registration, fee as published |
| Director requirements | At least 1 director who is a natural person, any nationality or residence, ID verification required | Must report the people who represent the company in the UK |
| Tax | UK Corporation Tax of 19%/25% on worldwide profits | Taxed on profits attributable to the UK permanent establishment |
| Best for | Brands, technology services, holding companies, a European business base | A parent company operating directly in the UK without a subsidiary |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholder structure, trading partners and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know before setting up a company in the UK
- ID verification is now mandatory: from 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control (PSC) must complete Companies House identity verification and get a personal code. If you are overseas, you can verify through GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
- Directors do not need to live in the UK: the UK does not require directors to be UK residents, but the company needs a UK registered office address and an appropriate email address, and must report its PSCs and SIC code at registration.
- No VAT threshold for overseas businesses: a business established outside the UK that supplies goods or services directly to UK customers must register for VAT regardless of turnover, which matters for cross-border e-commerce. A UK Ltd only has to register once taxable turnover reaches £90,000 in 12 months.
- Bank account opening: UK banks and digital banks review KYC, business activity and source of funds. Some banks require directors to attend in person or to have a UK address, so plan how you will receive payments before you incorporate.
- Home-country rules: dividends paid back to shareholders, transfer pricing and outbound investment filings depend on where the shareholders are based. Check the tax treaty and local rules that apply to you, and keep contracts and records for fund transfers.
Further reading
Sources: gov.uk: Companies House fees; gov.uk: Register a private limited company; gov.uk: Verifying your identity for Companies House; gov.uk: Corporation Tax rates; gov.uk: VAT rates; gov.uk: VAT registration threshold; gov.uk: Accounts and Corporation Tax deadlines. The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information and is not legal or tax advice.
How long does it take to set up a UK company?
What documents do I need to register a company in the UK?
To set up a UK company, you usually need to prepare the following:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address from the last three months and contact details
- 3. UK company name, company type and registered office address arrangements
- 4. Description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding percentages, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to be in the UK in person to set up a company?
Most of the UK company setup process can be completed remotely through document preparation, authorized signing and a local agent, so you do not have to be there in person throughout. However, bank account opening, identity checks, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide extra documents. We confirm the requirements in advance and help arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does a UK company have after setup?
- 1. Corporation Tax (19%/25%) and VAT (standard rate 20%)
- 2. Annual filings, company register maintenance, registered agent or company secretary services
- 3. Bookkeeping, statutory accounts, ID verification and maintenance of people with significant control (PSC) records
What businesses and structures is a UK company suitable for?
Who can help me register a company in the United Kingdom?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. We provide one-stop support from pre-setup assessment to post-incorporation maintenance for your UK company, reducing the uncertainty of cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. UK company type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration filing
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment documents
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and intellectual property planning
- 7. Website build, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business consulting and cross-border business support
We arrange UK company setup, maintenance and ongoing operating support based on your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, so you can focus on growing your market.