How to Register a Company UK: The Complete 2026 Guide
You can register a UK limited company online in as little as 3 hours — directly through Companies House for £50, or via a formation agent like 1st Formations from £12.99 with extras included. This hub covers every route, every decision, and every step after formation so your company is compliant from day one.
Over 800,000 new companies are registered in the UK every year. The process has never been faster — but choosing the wrong structure or missing a post-formation step can cost thousands to fix later.
The most important decision you make before registering is which business structure to use. Get it wrong and you face tax inefficiency, personal liability exposure, or the cost of restructuring later.
For most UK founders earning more than £30,000–£35,000/year, a private limited company (Ltd) is the most tax-efficient structure. Sole trader status is simpler to set up but leaves you personally liable for all business debts — and means paying income tax at your marginal rate on all profits.
1st Formations forms Ltd companies from £12.99, includes a registered office address, and can open a business bank account for you simultaneously. For most first-time founders, it is the fastest, most complete route to a correctly structured UK company.
✅ Earning under £30,000/year, just testing → Sole trader (no registration required)
✅ Building a real business, hiring, or raising investment → Private Limited Company (Ltd)
✅ Professional services partnership → Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
*Illustrative — based on salary + dividends strategy, 2024/25 rates. Consult an accountant.
Save ~£8,200/year by operating as a Ltd company
⚠️ New for 2025/2026 — ECCTA
ECCTA Identity Verification: The Rule Nobody Told You About
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) introduced mandatory identity verification for all new company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) at Companies House. This requirement is now being phased in during 2025–2026.
What this means in practice: every director must verify their identity before a company can be registered. If you attempt to register a company without completing identity verification, your application will be rejected. No exceptions. No workarounds.
Most “how to register a company UK” guides written before 2025 do not mention ECCTA at all — which means founders following those guides will have their applications rejected at Companies House without understanding why.
Formation agents like 1st Formations handle ECCTA verification as part of their process — they guide you through the identity check during the online application, so you don’t need to navigate Companies House’s verification system separately. This is one of the key reasons using a formation agent is now more valuable than the Companies House direct route than it was before ECCTA.
⚠️ All new directors must complete identity verification with Companies House
⚠️ Existing directors will need to verify within a transition period (details TBC)
⚠️ Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must also verify identity
✅ 1st Formations handles ECCTA — identity verification built into their formation flow
ECCTA — What You Need to Know
1
What is ECCTA?The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 — the biggest reform of Companies House in decades. Designed to prevent fraud by requiring identity-verified directors.
2
How do you verify?Through Companies House’s online verification service, or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) like 1st Formations who can verify your identity as part of the formation process.
3
What documents do you need?Valid UK passport or driving licence for UK residents. For international directors: passport plus proof of address. The verification process takes 5–10 minutes online.
4
What happens if you skip it?Your company formation application is rejected. Companies House will not register a company with an unverified director. There is no grace period for new formations.
Don’t want to deal with ECCTA verification yourself?
1st Formations handles the entire process — from £12.99
Formation Method Comparison
How to Register a Company UK: 2026 Comparison
Every route to forming a UK limited company compared. Prices and timelines verified March 2026.
Method
Cost
Speed
Registered Office
Bank Account Intro
Best For
Score
1st Formations ⭐ Recommended
Best overall formation agent
From £12.99
3 hours
✓ Included
✓ Yes
Most founders — fast, complete, affordable
9.2/10
Companies House (direct)
Official government route
£50
Same day (24 hrs)
You provide
❌ No
DIY-confident founders, own registered address
8.2/10
Rapid Formations
Competitive alternative
From £12.99
3 hours
✓ From £25/yr
✓ Yes
Alternative to 1st Formations, similar pricing
8.0/10
Accountant-Assisted
Via your accountant
£100–£300
1–5 days
Varies
Sometimes
Complex structures, non-standard shareholders
7.5/10
Solicitor-Assisted
Via a commercial lawyer
£500–£2,000+
3–10 days
Varies
Rarely
Complex shareholder agreements, investor deals
6.5/10
Fees verified March 2026 · Scores based on ThriveOnz360 five-point rubric · Review methodology
UK Company Formation Costs 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in the UK?
The Companies House registration fee is £50. But the real cost of forming a company correctly — with a registered office, proper Articles, and ECCTA-compliant identity verification — depends on the route you choose.
Cost Item
Companies House Direct
1st Formations ⭐
Accountant
Companies House fee
£50
Included
Included
Formation agent fee
£0 (DIY)
From £12.99
£100–£300
Registered office address
Your home (public) or ~£60/yr
£29/yr (London address)
Varies
ECCTA identity verification
You handle it yourself
Handled for you
Handled
Articles of Association
Model articles (basic)
Included (standard)
Custom (£200+)
Bank account introduction
No
Yes (Barclays, NatWest)
Sometimes
Total year-1 cost
~£110+
~£42–£72
£200–£500+
Fees verified June 2026 · 1st Formations total includes Privacy Package (registered office + service address)
Which Route Is Right For You
The Answer Depends on Your Situation
Most founders should use 1st Formations — it is faster than Companies House direct, cheaper than an accountant, and includes a registered office address and bank account introduction. Here are the scenarios where each route makes sense.
🚀
First-Time Founders
Starting your first company, need it done quickly and correctly. 1st Formations includes registered office, Articles of Association, and bank account intro — everything in one place.
→ Use 1st Formations
🏠
Work From Home / Privacy
Your home address appears on the public Companies House register by default. 1st Formations provides a London registered office address for £29/year so your home address stays private.
→ Use 1st Formations
💼
Experienced Founders
You’ve done this before, have your own registered office, know exactly what you need. The £50 Companies House direct route is the cheapest and perfectly adequate.
→ Use Companies House
📋
Complex Structures
Multiple share classes, non-standard Articles, investor or employee share schemes (EMI), or foreign shareholders. Use an accountant or solicitor — the £50 savings on formation won’t cover the cost of getting it wrong.
→ Use Accountant / Solicitor
How 1st Formations Works
Form in 3 Hours. Trade in 3 Hours.
1st Formations has registered over 1 million UK companies since 1994. Their online process takes 10–15 minutes, and Companies House typically confirms formation within 3 hours on working days. You receive your Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, and share certificates by email — ready to open a business bank account immediately.
01
Choose your package and company name From £12.99 for basic formation. Add a registered office address (recommended for privacy) and service address for £29/year each. Check name availability instantly.
02
Enter directors, shareholders, and share structure Standard setup: one director, one shareholder, 100 ordinary shares at £0.01 nominal value. 1st Formations generates compliant Articles of Association automatically.
03
Companies House processes your application 1st Formations submits to Companies House electronically. Standard processing: 3 working hours. Certificate of Incorporation sent to your email.
04
Open your business bank account 1st Formations partners with Barclays, NatWest, and others for introductions. For the best international account, ThriveOnz360 recommends pairing with Airwallex.
05
Register for taxes and set up accounting Register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of trading. If turnover will exceed £90,000, register for VAT. Set up Xero to manage accounts from day one.
What You Need Before You Start
✓
Company name (available)Must be unique on the Companies House register. Cannot be misleading. Sensitive words require approval.
✓
Registered office address (UK)Must be a physical UK address where official mail can be received. Use 1st Formations’ London address for privacy — £29/year.
✓
Director detailsFull name, date of birth, nationality, residential address (private — not on public register), and service address.
✓
SIC codeStandard Industrial Classification code describing your business activity. 1st Formations provides a search tool to find the right one.
✓
Share structureFor most founders: 100 ordinary shares at £0.01 nominal value, all allocated to you. 1st Formations defaults to this — change only if taking on co-founders or investors.
Registering a UK company takes 3 hours. Setting it up correctly — ECCTA, business bank, Xero, HMRC registrations, VAT decisions — takes most founders 3 weeks of Googling and a £300 accountant call.
The UK Company Setup Pack covers every post-formation step in a single 33-page PDF. Written by UK-based practitioners. Includes the ECCTA checklist, Xero setup sequence, HMRC registration timeline, and a 90-day action plan.
✅ Ltd vs Sole Trader decision framework with tax calculations
✅ Companies House checklist — no rejection risk (includes ECCTA)
✅ Business bank account decision guide (Starling vs Tide vs Airwallex)
✅ Xero setup sequence — step by step for UK, MTD-ready from day 1
Every guide, review, comparison, and how-to in the ThriveOnz360 Company Formation cluster — researched and written by the editorial team.
📖 Pillar Guides
⭐ Pillar Guide · 5,000+ words
How to Register a Company in the UK 2026: Complete Guide
The definitive step-by-step guide to forming a UK limited company — from choosing a name through to Companies House confirmation, with every post-formation step covered.
Read guide →
Structure Guide
LTD vs LLP vs Sole Trader UK 2026: Which Structure Is Right for You?
The complete business structure comparison — tax implications, liability, setup costs, and the exact profit threshold where Ltd becomes more tax-efficient than sole trader.
Read comparison →
Checklist
UK Company Formation Checklist 2026: 12 Steps Before You Launch
Everything you need to do before and after forming a UK limited company — from name check and Companies House registration through to HMRC registration and first accounts.
Read checklist →
⭐ 1st Formations Reviews & Comparisons
⭐ #1 Formation Pick
9.2/10
1st Formations Review UK 2026: Is It the Best Company Formation Service?
Hands-on 1st Formations review: pricing, packages, registered office, support, and the honest verdict on whether it beats Companies House direct.
Read review → Member deal
Head-to-Head
Companies House vs 1st Formations: Which Should You Use?
The £50 Companies House direct route vs 1st Formations from £12.99 — which is actually cheaper when you include everything you need to trade on day one.
Read comparison →
Head-to-Head
1st Formations vs Rapid Formations UK 2026: Which Is Better?
Both start at £12.99. Both do same-day formation. The difference is in the registered office packages, support quality, and extras included at each price tier.
Read comparison →
⚙️ How-To & Setup Guides
Formation Timeline
How Long Does It Take to Register a Company UK? 2026 Guide
Same-day, 24-hour, or standard 8–10 days? Every Companies House processing option explained — and what causes delays.
Read guide →
Registered Office
What Is a Registered Office Address? UK 2026 Guide
Why you need one, why you probably shouldn’t use your home address, and the cheapest ways to get a proper registered office from £29/year.
Read guide →
Post-Formation
How to Register for Corporation Tax UK 2026: Step-by-Step
You must register with HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade. Miss this deadline and penalties follow. Here is exactly how to do it in 20 minutes.
Read guide →
🔗 After Formation: Banking, Accounting & Hiring
Step 1 After Formation
Best Business Bank Account UK 2026
Your company is formed — now you need a business bank account. Starling for UK-domestic; Airwallex if you have international payments. Full comparison here.
Read comparison →
Step 2 After Formation
How to Set Up Xero for UK SMEs: Step-by-Step 2026
Get your accounting set up from day one. Xero integrates with Companies House, HMRC for MTD, and your business bank account — complete setup guide here.
Read setup guide →
Hiring Internationally
Employer of Record UK: Complete Guide 2026
Ready to hire your first employee in another country without setting up a foreign entity? Deel handles the employment in 150+ countries — no foreign entity required.
Read EOR guide →
VAT Registration
How to Register for VAT UK 2026: When, Why, and How
Mandatory when turnover exceeds £90,000 in any 12-month rolling period. Voluntary registration may be beneficial earlier. Full guide to MTD-compliant VAT registration here.
Read guide →
First UK Employee
UK PAYE Guide 2026: How to Set Up Payroll for Small Business
Hiring your first employee? You need to register as an employer with HMRC, set up PAYE, and enrol them in a workplace pension. Full step-by-step guide here.
Read guide →
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UK Company Formation Tips + Software Deals. Weekly.
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Get the Best 1st Formations Price Through ThriveOnz360
ThriveOnz360 Growth members get an exclusive discount on 1st Formations packages — verified as of March 2026 via our direct partnership with 1st Formations. This is the same formation service that has registered over 1 million UK companies since 1994, now available at a lower price than the public website rate.
The deal applies to all packages including their most popular Privacy Package — which includes registered office address (London), service address, and email forwarding so your home address never appears on the public Companies House register.
✓
Exclusive member discount on all 1st Formations packages Lower than the public website price — accessed via the ThriveOnz360 member deal link only.
✓
Same-day company formation (3 hours typical) 1st Formations submits to Companies House electronically. Certificate of Incorporation by email within hours.
✓
London registered office address included Keep your home address off the public Companies House register. Free forwarding of all official HMRC and Companies House mail.
✓
Business bank account introduction included Partner introductions to Barclays, NatWest, and other UK banks — plus ThriveOnz360 members get the $200 Airwallex deal for international payments.
ThriveOnz360 Exclusive
From £12.99
+ Member Discount Applied
1st Formations · Verified March 2026
✓
Same-day formation (3 hrs)certificate of incorporation by email
✓
London registered officehome address kept off public register
✓
Memorandum & Articles of Associationcompliant, Companies-House-approved
✓
Bank account introductionBarclays, NatWest, and more
How much does it cost to register a company in the UK?
Companies House charges £50 for online registration (same-day processing). Formation agents like 1st Formations start at £12.99 and include extras such as a registered office address and Articles of Association — which makes the total cost comparable to or less than doing it yourself once you add the address service.
How long does it take to register a UK company?
Same-day electronic applications submitted before 3pm on a working day are typically processed within 3–4 hours. The standard online service at Companies House takes 24 hours. Postal applications take 8–10 working days. All three major formation agents (1st Formations, Rapid Formations) use the same-day electronic route.
Do I need a registered office address to form a company?
Yes — every UK limited company must have a registered office address where official mail from Companies House and HMRC can be received. It must be a physical UK address (no PO boxes). If you work from home and want privacy, use 1st Formations’ London address service from £29/year — your home address then never appears on the public Companies House register.
What do I need to do after registering my company?
Four essential post-formation steps: (1) register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade; (2) open a business bank account — Starling for domestic, Airwallex for international payments; (3) set up accounting software (Xero) from day one; (4) register for VAT if your taxable turnover will exceed £90,000/year. See the full post-formation checklist.
Should I use a sole trader or limited company structure?
The crossover point is typically £30,000–£35,000 in annual profits. Below that, the accounting costs of a limited company may outweigh the tax savings. Above it, paying yourself a combination of salary and dividends via a Ltd company typically saves £3,000–£10,000/year versus operating as a sole trader. See the full Sole Trader vs Ltd comparison.
Your company registered in 3 hours. Ready to trade today.
Join ThriveOnz360 free and claim your exclusive 1st Formations discount — the fastest way for a UK founder to form a correctly structured limited company, get a London registered address, and be ready to open a bank account and start trading today.