Company Registration In The UK: Cost, Steps & Rules

Quick answer: You register a new company in the UK online with Companies House. It costs £100 (£124 by post), and approval usually takes under 24 hours. You need one director aged 16 or over, one shareholder, a UK registered office address, and a registered email address. 

Since 18 November 2025, every director and person with significant control (PSC) must also verify their identity. You do not need to live in the UK, so founders in India, the UAE or anywhere else can register remotely.

UK Company Registration at a Glance

Item	2026 requirement
Registering authority	Companies House
Fee	£100 online / £124 post / £156 same-day
Time	Usually within 24 hours (online)
Directors	Minimum 1, aged 16+, any nationality or residence
Shareholders	Minimum 1 (can be the director)
Share capital	No minimum; £1 is enough
Registered office	Physical UK address; no PO boxes
Identity verification	Mandatory for directors and PSCs
Corporation tax	19%–25%
VAT threshold	£90,000
Annual confirmation statement	£50

For licences, insurance, office and accounting costs, see the full cost to start a business in England.

Why Setup a Business in the United Kingdom?

• Fast & Low-Cost Setup – Online incorporation, typically within 24 hours.
• 100% Foreign Ownership – No local director, partner, or residency requirement.
• No Minimum Share Capital – Easy entry for international founders.
• Competitive Corporate Tax – 19% corporation tax applies to qualifying lower profits.
• 130+ Double Tax Treaties – Including agreements with India and the UAE.
• Global Credibility – A UK Ltd is widely recognised by banks, investors, clients, and payment platforms.

Which Business Structure Should You Choose?

Structure	Minimum people	Liability	Fee	Best for
Private limited company (Ltd)	1 director + 1 shareholder	Limited	£100	Most startups and foreign founders
LLP	2 members	Limited	£100	Professional firms
PLC	2 directors + a company secretary; £50,000 share capital	Limited	Higher	Large companies raising public capital
Sole trader	1 person	Unlimited	Free (HMRC)	Individuals trading alone
UK branch	Overseas parent company	The parent is liable	Fee applies	Foreign companies trading in the UK

How to Register a New Company in the UK?

1. Choose a structure. Most founders choose a private limited company (Ltd).
2. Check your company name on the Companies House register. It must be unique and end in “Ltd” or “Limited”.
3. Verify your identity. Every director and PSC verifies free through GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), and receives a personal code.
4. Get a registered office and email address. The office must be a physical address in the UK jurisdiction where you register (no PO boxes), and the email address must be one that someone monitors.
5. Set up shares and articles. For example, one £1 share, using the standard model articles.
6. File online with Companies House (Form IN01) for £100. Include SIC codes (your business activity), PSC details, and the lawful purpose statement.
7. Get your Certificate of Incorporation, typically within 24 hours. Then register for corporation tax within 3 months of starting to trade and set a UK corporate bank account.

How long will it take to register a company in the UK?

Online applications are usually approved within 24 hours, paper applications take about 8–10 days, and the same-day service costs £156. Founders based abroad should allow 3–5 working days in total to include identity verification and the registered office setup.

2026 Rules You Must Follow

Identity verification (from 18 November 2025): As of November 18, 2025, identity verification is a requirement for all directors and PSCs prior to their appointment. Before the next confirmation statement from the corporation, current directors must confirm. It is illegal to act without first checking.

Registered office: It should be an “appropriate address” where post can be received and acknowledged. PO boxes are banned.

Registered email: Required for every company. It is not published on the public register.

Higher fees: Incorporation is now £100 (previously £50) and the confirmation statement is £50 (previously £34).

England & Wales vs Scotland vs Northern Ireland

The process, the £100 fee, and corporation tax are the same across the UK. The difference is the jurisdiction: your registered office must be in the one you choose, company disputes fall under that legal system, and you can’t move jurisdiction later.

	England & Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland
Registered office must be in	England or Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland
Company number	8 digits	“SC” prefix	“NI” prefix
Legal system	English law	Scots law	NI law
Best for	Most founders, including foreign founders using a London address	Businesses based in Scotland	Businesses trading goods with both Great Britain and the EU (Windsor Framework)

Setting up in the capital? See our guide to registering a business in London.

UK Taxes and Annual Compliance

Corporation tax: 19% on profits up to £50,000, 25% on profits above £250,000, with marginal relief in between. VAT: 20%; registration is mandatory above £90,000 of taxable turnover. See VAT registration in the UK. Employer National Insurance: 15% on salaries above £5,000 per employee per year.

Obligation	Deadline
Confirmation statement (£50)	Every 12 months
First annual accounts	21 months after incorporation
Later annual accounts	9 months after the financial year ends
Corporation tax payment	9 months and 1 day after the year end
Corporation tax return (CT600)	12 months after the year end

Conclusion

Registering a company in the UK in 2026 is fast and relatively simple. A private limited company can usually be incorporated online through Companies House within 24 hours for £100, with 100% foreign ownership and no minimum share capital.

However, founders must also complete identity verification, maintain a UK registered office, file annual accounts and confirmation statements, and meet UK tax obligations.

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