🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
Companies in the UK register with Companies House, usually as a private limited company (Ltd). Registration is quick and online; you then register for Corporation Tax with HMRC and, where applicable, VAT and PAYE.
Companies are registered with Companies House. The private company limited by shares (Ltd) is the most common form, and registration also sets up the company for Corporation Tax with HMRC.
- Registration is completed online with Companies House, usually within a day.
- A company must have at least one director and a registered office address.
- People-with-significant-control (PSC) information must be filed and kept up to date.
Official authorities
- Companies House
UK company registration.
- GOV.UK — Set up a business
Official guide to starting a business.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to register a company?
Online registration with Companies House is often completed within 24 hours.
Do I need a UK-resident director?
There is no residency requirement for directors, but you need a UK registered office address.
When must I register for VAT?
VAT registration is required once taxable turnover exceeds the threshold, and is optional below it.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- UK Government (GOV.UK) — UK's unified government services portal — visas, taxes, driving licences, benefits and more
- UK Visas and Immigration — UK visa applications, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and work authorization
- HM Revenue & Customs — Self Assessment tax returns, National Insurance, VAT registration and payment