United Kingdom flag United Kingdom: Operating a Business in the United Kingdom

Starting a business in the United Kingdom

Legal Forms of Companies

Choose a legal structure for your business
Private limited company by shares or Ltd
Number of partners: One or more directors
Capital (max/min): No minimum share capital requirements, typically the minimum subscribed is GBP 1. The entire capital must be unlocked.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Public limited company (Plc)
Number of partners: One or more directors
Capital (max/min): Minimum share capital requirement is GBP 50,000 of which 25% must be paid-up
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
General partnership
Number of partners: At least two partners
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital requirements
Shareholders and liability: Partners' liability is joint and indefinite.
Limited liability partnership (LLP) or Limited partnership (LP)
Number of partners: At least two partners
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital requirements
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited.
Community interest company
Number of partners: No minimum
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital requirements
Shareholders and liability: Partners' liability is joint and several
Unlimited company ou Unltd
Number of partners: No minimum
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital requirements
Shareholders and liability: Partners' liability is joint and several
 

Business Setup Procedures

Setting Up a Company United Kingdom OECD
Procedures (number) 4.0 5.2
Time (days) 4.5 9.5

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.

 
The Competent Organisation
Companies House
For Further Information
Consult the Doing Business website, to know about procedures to start a Business in United Kingdom.
 

Financial Information Directories

Companies House - Register of British companies

Dun & Bradstreet - Worldwide directory with financial information on businesses

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Latest Update: March 2024

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