International trade · services · e-commerce
UK Company Formation (Ltd & LLP)
A UK company is widely recognised by clients, partners and payment providers. Incorporation is quick; the real work is in keeping filings, tax and the public register in order.
Overview
Private limited company (Ltd)
The standard trading and holding vehicle.
Limited liability partnership (LLP)
Partnership taxation with limited liability.
Holding company
For groups with subsidiaries abroad.
Good fit for
- Trading and services businesses selling internationally
- Groups needing a credible holding company
- E-commerce and digital businesses
Limitations to plan for
- Public register of directors and persons with significant control
- Identity verification at Companies House
- Annual accounts, confirmation statement and UK tax obligations
Banking
UK banks often require UK-resident directors or activity; non-resident owners usually work with licensed electronic money institutions first.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
United Kingdom formation
From €1,490
Usually part of formation
- Incorporation at Companies House
- Identity verification of directors and people with significant control
- Registered office address in the UK
Optional, quoted separately
- Service or correspondence address
- Tax and VAT registrations, as the activity requires
- Apostilled document set
- Bookkeeping and accounts preparation
Every year
- Confirmation statement
- Annual accounts to Companies House and company tax return
- Registered office renewal
Maintain accounting records, annual accounts, Company Tax Return and confirmation statements. These are separate filings, not one annual renewal. Directors retain responsibility for accuracy and deadlines; the recurring quote must distinguish address, accounts, tax work and Companies House filings.
Steps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Choose name, share structure, directors and PSCs; check identity-verification requirements.
- 02
Arrange an appropriate registered office and company email; prepare memorandum and articles.
- 03
Submit incorporation to Companies House; separately plan HMRC registration and the first accounting period.
Documents and requirements
- Passport and proof of address for every owner, director and beneficial owner
- Short CV or business background
- Description of the activity, countries and expected flows
- Evidence of source of funds
- A private Ltd needs at least one director aged 16 or over and at least one shareholder; the same person can fill both roles.
- Directors need not live in the UK. The registered office must be an appropriate address in the same UK country as incorporation; a Royal Mail PO Box is not sufficient.
- A private company does not need a secretary. Identity verification, personal codes and PSC information must be addressed under the applicable Companies House filing rules.
Separate scope · not included by default
Optional corporate services
Nominee director
An appointed director serves on the company's governing body and has real statutory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not simply a name on a register: decision-making powers, signing authority and reporting duties must be agreed lawfully.
Availability and price on request
UK: appointing an additional or nominee director does not shift responsibility away from the board. Directors remain legally responsible for accounts and reports even if a secretary or accountant handles filing. Availability and price on request.
Nominee shareholder
A nominee shareholder holds registered legal title to shares for an identified beneficial owner under a lawful, documented arrangement. Voting, dividends, instructions and transfer rights must be defined; this is a different role from a director.
Availability and price on request
UK: a registered shareholder and a person with significant control are different concepts. A nominee shareholding does not remove PSC identification or the company's ownership records. The proposed arrangement requires legal and provider review.
Beneficial-owner identification and bank/registered-agent KYC still apply. Nominee arrangements do not guarantee anonymity, an account, residence or a tax result. Availability, approvals and duties depend on local law and the provider's acceptance; some arrangements are unavailable or prohibited.
Banking application assistance
Business profile, ownership documents and application coordination. The bank makes its own decision; opening fees and ongoing bank charges are separate.
Registered office & company administration
Address, agent or secretary arrangements where required, corporate amendments and annual compliance coordination. The quote must state each service and period covered.
Incorporation is the easy part.
Most structures run into trouble later — at the bank, or with tax authorities. We plan for these from day one.
The bank says no
A company without a clear activity, substance or source-of-funds story is hard to bank. The account route is assessed before incorporation, not after.
Tax residence follows management
Where a company is managed and where its owners live can matter more than where it is registered. This is reviewed with qualified tax advisers.
Permanent establishment
Staff, offices or decision-making in another country can create a taxable presence there. The operating model is mapped early.
Automatic exchange of information
Under CRS and FATCA, account information is shared between many countries. Structures are designed to be transparent and compliant.
Questions
Which company type is used in United Kingdom?
Private limited company (Ltd): The standard trading and holding vehicle. Limited liability partnership (LLP): Partnership taxation with limited liability. Holding company: For groups with subsidiaries abroad.
Can a United Kingdom company open a bank account?
UK banks often require UK-resident directors or activity; non-resident owners usually work with licensed electronic money institutions first. Banks decide independently. We prepare the application and explain likely options; no account is guaranteed.
Is the local tax rate my total tax?
Corporation Tax 25% main rate; 19% small profits rate for profits of £50,000 or less; Marginal Relief may apply between £50,000 and £250,000. No. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. A qualified tax adviser reviews this before incorporation.
Is the starting price final?
No. It covers the simplest eligible case. Government fees, annual charges, VAT and third-party costs are confirmed in a written scope before payment.
Low or zero local tax is conditional
A local rate is not your total tax. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. Your position is reviewed with a qualified tax adviser before incorporation.
Who files the company and how long does it take?
An independent local registered agent or corporate service provider, where required and suitably qualified. BDA coordinates. Timeline: Given after KYC review; depends on the registry and the provider.
Can ownership stay anonymous?
No. Beneficial owners are identified to providers and banks, and to registries where the law requires. Nominee services, where lawful, do not replace this disclosure.
Can a nominee replace beneficial-owner disclosure?
No. The director and shareholder roles are separate legal appointments. Beneficial owners must still be identified for applicable registry, agent and bank checks. Neither service is automatically available or included in formation.
Discuss a United Kingdom company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.