Open and run a business in the UK.
The United Kingdom is a holding jurisdiction built on common law: the public Companies House register, a broad network of tax treaties, and a deep banking sector. We reach for it when a structure needs international recognition and access to British capital. We factor in the new identity-verification regime too.
- Region
- Europe
- Class
- Onshore
- CIT
- 25% main rate (profits >£250k) / 19% (≤£50k), marginal relief between
- VAT
- 20%
- Practice
- UK practice · since 2015
Available registration forms
Banking & operations
- Banking
- Tier-1 banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) are available, but identity-verification requirements are tightening. Since 18 November 2025, a new identity-verification regime applies through Companies House.
- Operations
- Mandatory identity verification for all PSCs and directors through Companies House took effect on 18 November 2025 (existing directors verify via their next confirmation statement across a 12-month transition). Plan ahead.
- INNOVA practice
- UK practice · since 2015
Packages & pricing in the UK
Services in the UK
Industries in the UK
Tools & comparisons
Frequently asked questions — business in the UK
Three things tip the balance: a common-law legal system, a transparent Companies House public registry, and a network of 130+ double tax treaties. Corporate tax is 25%; Small Profits Relief brings that to 19% on profits up to £50,000. INNOVA CG has run the UK practice since 2015 — structuring, compliance, and banking onboarding across major clearing banks and FCA-regulated EMIs.
A Private Limited Company (Ltd) can be incorporated via Companies House online in 1–3 working days. An LLP or PLC takes slightly longer due to additional formation documents. Post-incorporation, HMRC registration for Corporation Tax takes up to 10 days, VAT registration 10–30 days, and banking onboarding 2–8 weeks depending on the institution chosen. Incorporation is the fast part; the bank is always the bottleneck. Onboarding is ours to carry.
Yes. UK company law imposes no nationality or residency restrictions on directors or shareholders of a Private Ltd. A minimum of one director is required. Since 18 November 2025, Companies House has mandated identity verification for all directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. We see the verification through.
The main Corporation Tax rate is 25% for profits above £250,000. Small Profits Relief reduces the effective rate to 19% for profits up to £50,000, with marginal relief between the two thresholds. R&D tax credits (RDEC at 20% above-the-line or the SME scheme) can further reduce the net liability for qualifying technology and innovation businesses. We model the effective rate up front.
A UK Ltd must file annual accounts and a Confirmation Statement with Companies House, submit a CT600 Corporation Tax return to HMRC within 12 months of the year-end, pay Corporation Tax within 9 months, and maintain a statutory register of members and PSCs. VAT-registered companies must file MTD-compliant returns quarterly. PAYE RTI submissions are required for each payroll run. The deadlines are ours to hold.