A UK private limited company may be suitable when your business needs its own local contracting entity and is ready to manage ongoing company, tax and employment obligations. If your immediate need is to employ local staff, compare this with an Employer of Record arrangement before deciding.
This guide focuses on a private company limited by shares. Company formation, employment services and payroll processing are separate scopes.
Decide the company structure and responsibilities
A private company needs at least one director and, if limited by shares, at least one shareholder. The same person can hold both roles. A director must be at least 16 and legally eligible to act; directors do not have to live in the UK. A company secretary is optional for a private limited company.
Agree the ownership, share classes, decision-making arrangements and intended business activities before registration. Identify the people with significant control (PSCs), including relevant ownership, voting or other control. See the official company setup guide.
Prepare the registration information
- A compliant company name and the appropriate registration jurisdiction.
- An appropriate physical registered office address in the relevant UK jurisdiction and a monitored registered email address.
- Director, shareholder, share capital and PSC information, together with the required identity-verification details.
- The company’s business activities and relevant Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.
- A memorandum and articles of association, and the required application statements.
The registered office address is public. The registered email address is not published on the public register. A PO Box alone is not an acceptable registered office. Check Companies House address requirements before choosing an address service.
Understand the formation documents
The memorandum of association records the initial shareholders’ or guarantors’ agreement to form the company. For an online registration, it is generated as part of the process. It is not a substitute for the share capital information or the company’s operating rules.
The articles of association set the rules for running the company. You may use suitable model articles or prepare tailored articles. Ownership and governance arrangements should be consistent with any separate shareholder agreement. See the official formation-document guidance.
Registration costs and timing in 2026
| Application route | Companies House fee | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Standard online registration | £100 | Usually within 24 hours |
| Postal registration using form IN01 | £124 | Normally 8–10 days |
| Same-day incorporation through software | £156 | Subject to the service requirements and submission cut-off |
These are government filing fees, excluding advisers, address services and other costs. Processing times are not guaranteed. Check the current fee schedule and registration requirements. Complete the required identity verification and have each director’s Companies House personal code ready.
Plan for the work after incorporation
Registration creates the company; it does not complete its operating setup. Plan for accounting records, annual accounts, confirmation statements, applicable tax registrations and returns, banking and any business-specific permissions. Directors remain responsible even when advisers handle administration. See directors’ responsibilities.
Choose the appropriate NNRoad employment service
Use NNRoad’s UK EOR service when you need us to employ local employees for your business. If your company already employs the team and needs only payroll-related tasks, use our UK payroll service. Foreign employee hiring and contractor engagements are separate services.
If you also require company formation assistance, confirm its scope separately with NNRoad before engaging it; incorporation is not included merely by selecting EOR or payroll.