Europe · Private Limited Company
Register a company in United Kingdom
Founders who want a globally trusted brand and a same-day, fully remote setup with no local director.
- Government fee
- $130
- £100 (online)
- Corporate tax
- 25%
- headline
- Min. capital
- ≈ none
- effectively none
- Setup time
- 24 hours online (often same business day)
Deep dives
Everything on United Kingdom, in depth
At a glance
How United Kingdom scores for a non-resident
Relative edge
The best all-rounder: trusted brand, same-day online setup, no resident director, low fee.
Relative watch-out
Traditional bank accounts need UK residency; you'll lean on fintechs.
Scores are Lanzamo's editorial judgement (0–100, higher = better for a non-resident founder), built on the verified data on this page — guidance, not advice.
The essentials
For non-resident founders
Can you run it from abroad?
The headline fee rarely decides it — these are the things that actually trip up a founder forming United Kingdom from another country.
100% foreign ownership
No nationality or residency restriction on shareholders or directors — a non-resident can be sole owner and sole director.
Fully remote setup
Fully online via Companies House WebFiling or a formation agent from abroad.
Resident director required
A UK registered office address is required (a service address works); no resident director or company secretary is needed. From 18 Nov 2025 all directors must complete Companies House identity verification.
Banking for non-residents: Moderate
High-street banks typically require UK residency and an in-person meeting; fintechs (Wise, Airwallex, Tide) onboard non-residents remotely. Note Revolut Business wants a director resident in the UK/EEA/Switzerland.
Accounting burden: Moderate
Annual accounts to Companies House, an annual confirmation statement, and a corporation tax (CT600) return to HMRC; most non-resident founders use an accountant.
Why founders pick United Kingdom
- Globally recognised, high-trust jurisdiction that customers and suppliers respect instantly
- Incorporation in ~24 hours, 100% online, with no resident director required
- 19% small-profits corporation tax under £50k keeps early-stage tax low
- Deep fintech banking ecosystem (Wise, Airwallex, Tide) built for remote founders
Watch out for
- Government filing costs doubled in Feb 2026 (£100 incorporation, £50 confirmation statement)
- Traditional bank accounts are hard to open without UK residency
- Mandatory director identity verification (since Nov 2025) adds a step for non-residents
- Worldwide profits taxed if the company is UK tax-resident; ongoing accounts + CT600 compliance
Is United Kingdom the right base for you?
Put United Kingdom side by side with a U.S. LLC and 11 other jurisdictions — government fee, tax, capital and the resident-director catch — and decide with the full picture.
Official sources
Go straight to the authorities — these are the free, definitive sources for United Kingdom.
Data reviewed June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident register a company in United Kingdom?
No nationality or residency restriction on shareholders or directors — a non-resident can be sole owner and sole director.
How much does it cost to register a Ltd in United Kingdom?
The government fee is about $130 (£100 (online)). Online/digital incorporation rose from £50 to £100 on 1 Feb 2026; same-day and paper filing cost more. Budget roughly $65/yr in mandatory government filings. Annual confirmation statement £50/yr online (up from £34 on 1 Feb 2026); filing the accounts themselves is free.
Do I need a resident director to form a company in United Kingdom?
No resident director is required. A UK registered office address is required (a service address works); no resident director or company secretary is needed. From 18 Nov 2025 all directors must complete Companies House identity verification.
What is the corporate tax rate in United Kingdom?
Tiered: 19% small-profits rate up to £50k, 25% main rate above £250k, with marginal relief tapering between; the thresholds are split across associated companies.
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