To register a company UK, you file an application with Companies House (the official UK registrar) either through the GOV.UK WebFiling portal or a formation agent, choosing a unique name, a UK registered address, at least one director, and a shareholder. Online applications are usually approved within 24 hours, and the Companies House fee is £100. This guide walks non-resident founders through all seven steps, the ECCTA 2026 identity checks, and exactly what to do once your company exists.
Learning how to register a company UK is simpler than most founders expect. You don’t need to live here, hold a UK passport, or set foot in the country. What you do need is the right structure, a physical UK address, and clean ID that passes the new verification rules. Let’s get into it.
Why register a company in the UK?
The UK gives international founders a credible base without a residency requirement. A UK private limited company (Ltd) opens doors that are hard to reach from many home countries.
- Credibility. A UK Ltd carries weight with suppliers, customers, and platforms worldwide.
- Banking and payments. A registered company unlocks accounts with Wise, Tide, and Payoneer, plus Stripe for card payments.
- Global brand. “Ltd” after your name signals a real, regulated business.
- No residency requirement. Directors and shareholders can live anywhere.
If you want the wider case for choosing Britain, read why the UK is the best country for foreign entrepreneurs.
Which company structure should you choose?
For most founders reading this, the answer is a private limited company (Ltd). Here’s how the main options compare:
- Ltd (private limited): Limited liability, best for nearly all small and scaling businesses, including non-residents.
- Sole trader: Unlimited personal liability, suits UK-based individuals only, not registered at Companies House.
- LLP: Limited liability on a partnership tax model, best for two or more partners sharing profits.
- PLC: Limited liability with ability to raise public capital, suited to large firms selling shares publicly.
The Ltd wins for international founders because it gives limited liability (your personal assets stay separate from the business), it’s respected by banks and payment providers, and it’s cheap to run. Sole trader status isn’t practical from abroad since it ties to a UK individual. If you’re forming with partners on a profit-share basis, our LLP formation service covers that route instead.
What you need before you start
Get these ready before you touch the application. Missing details are the main reason registrations stall.
- Company name ending in “Ltd” or “Limited”, unique and not too similar to an existing name.
- UK registered office address in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. It must be a physical address, not a PO Box.
- Director details for at least one director aged 16 or over: full legal name, date of birth, nationality, and residential address.
- Shareholder structure with at least one shareholder and the number of shares held.
- SIC code describing what your business does.
- PSC details for anyone owning 25% or more of the shares: name, date of birth, nationality, address, and nature of control.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association. The standard model articles work for most companies.
- ID for identity verification under ECCTA 2026 (more on this in Step 6).
The 7 steps to register a company in the UK
Step 1: Choose and check your company name
Your name must be unique and end in “Ltd” or “Limited”. Run it through the free Companies House name checker to confirm it’s available and not too close to an existing company. Avoid sensitive words (like “bank” or “royal”) unless you have permission.
Note that your registered company name and the brand you trade under can differ. If you plan to operate under a different label, read about the difference between a company name and a trading name first.
Step 2: Get a UK registered address
Every UK company needs a registered office in the UK. This is where Companies House and HMRC send official mail, and it appears on the public register. It cannot be a PO Box, and using your home address abroad won’t work.
Most non-residents use a registered office service from a formation agent. Our LaunchPad package includes a compliant UK address plus mail handling, so official letters reach you wherever you live.
Step 3: Appoint your director(s) and shareholders
You need at least one director aged 16 or over and at least one shareholder. The same person can be both. There’s no cap on the number of directors, and none of them need to be UK residents.
Decide your share split now. For a single founder, 100 shares held 100% by you keeps things clean. If you have co-founders or investors, agree percentages before filing to avoid rework later.
Step 4: Identify your Person with Significant Control (PSC)
A PSC is anyone who owns or controls 25% or more of the shares or voting rights. In a solo company, you are the PSC. Companies House records this on the public register, so have full legal names, dates of birth, and residential addresses ready for every PSC.
Step 5: Choose your SIC code
A SIC code is a five-digit number that classifies your business activity. You can list more than one. Use the official SIC code search tool to find the closest match. If you sell software, dropship products, or offer consulting, pick the code that best describes your main activity.
Step 6: Complete identity verification (ECCTA 2026 requirement)
This is the big change for 2026. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), identity verification is now mandatory for all directors and PSCs, either before or at the point of registration. Expect a biometric ID check using a passport or similar document.
For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to verify your identity with Companies House. A formation agent can walk you through it so it doesn’t hold up your filing.
Step 7: Submit to Companies House and pay the fee
Once your name, address, people, SIC code, PSC details, and ID checks are in order, submit the application. You can file directly through the GOV.UK WebFiling portal or let an agent handle it. The Companies House registration fee is £100 (increased from £50 in 2024, with a further rise planned for 2026 under ECCTA). Once approved, you receive a Certificate of Incorporation with your company number.
How long does UK company registration take?
Online applications through Companies House are typically approved within 24 hours. Postal applications take 8 to 10 business days. In practice, the ECCTA identity verification step is the variable — prepare your documents early and the whole process moves quickly.
What to do immediately after registration
Incorporation is the start, not the finish. Handle these next steps promptly.
- Register for Corporation Tax. You must register with HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade.
- Open a business bank account. Use your Certificate of Incorporation and company number to open with Wise, Tide, or Payoneer. See our Wise business account review for non-UK founders to compare options.
- Set up payments. Connect Stripe or a similar processor once your bank account is live so you can take card payments from day one.
- Check your VAT position. You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds the £90,000 threshold. Our guide on when you need to register for UK VAT explains the triggers. If you need to register, our VAT registration service handles it for you.
- Diarise your Confirmation Statement. This must be filed with Companies House at least once a year, within 14 days of your review period end date.
- Note your accounting dates. Your first Accounting Reference Date is set 12 months after the end of the month you incorporated. First accounts are due within 21 months of incorporation; subsequent accounts within 9 months of each period end.
If ongoing filing and bookkeeping feels like a lot to manage, our accounting and bookkeeping service keeps you compliant without the stress. Also worth reading: upcoming Companies House filing changes in 2028 that will affect how accounts are submitted.
Can non-residents register a UK company?
Yes. There’s no nationality or residency requirement to be a director, shareholder, or PSC of a UK company. Founders from anywhere in the world can register a limited company in the UK as a non-resident.
The two things you can’t skip are a UK registered office address and ECCTA identity verification. Both are straightforward with the right service in place — which is exactly why many international founders use an agent rather than fighting the DIY route from abroad.
How much does it cost to register a UK company?
The core cost is the £100 Companies House fee, which rose from £50 in 2024 and has a further increase planned for 2026 under ECCTA. That covers the registration itself.
Beyond that, expect costs for a UK registered address, mail handling, and identity verification support if you use an agent. A bundled formation service usually works out cheaper and cleaner than piecing everything together yourself. You can compare all our packages here. Digital businesses often go for the Digital Pro Suite for its enhanced address and Tide integration, while founders who want full support including VAT and accounting often scale up to ScaleUp.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a home address abroad as the registered office. It must be a physical UK address — there is no way around this.
- Picking a name too similar to an existing company. Check availability before you get attached to a name.
- Submitting incomplete PSC details. Missing or inaccurate PSC information is a common cause of rejected applications.
- Ignoring identity verification. Under ECCTA 2026 it’s mandatory. Have your passport or equivalent ready before you start.
- Forgetting Corporation Tax registration. You have 3 months from starting to trade — missing this leads to penalties.
- Missing the annual Confirmation Statement. It’s due within 14 days of your review period end date, every year.
FAQ
How long does UK company registration take?
Online applications through Companies House are usually approved within 24 hours. Postal applications take 8 to 10 business days. The main variable is how quickly your ECCTA identity verification clears.
How much does it cost to register a company in the UK?
The Companies House fee is £100, up from £50 in 2024, with a further increase planned for 2026 under ECCTA. Formation agent fees are additional and vary by package.
Can a non-resident register a UK limited company?
Yes. There’s no nationality or residency requirement for directors, shareholders, or PSCs. You do need a UK registered office address and must pass identity verification.
Do I need a UK address to register a company?
Yes. Every UK company needs a physical UK registered office in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. It cannot be a PO Box. Non-residents typically use a registered address service.
What is a SIC code and do I need one?
A SIC code is a five-digit number that classifies your business activity. Yes, you must provide at least one when registering with Companies House, and you can list several if your business spans multiple activities.
What do I have to do after registering my UK company?
Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within 3 months of trading, open a business bank account, set up payments, register for VAT if turnover exceeds £90,000, and file your Confirmation Statement each year.
