What is a limited company?

A limited company is a legal business structure in the UK where the company's liability is limited to the value of its shares. It is a separate legal entity from its owners (shareholders), allowing it to enter contracts, own assets, and be responsible for its debts independently. Limited companies provide the advantage of limited liability protection to shareholders, ensuring their personal assets are not at risk in case of financial issues or legal disputes.

What are the reasons to register a limited company?

Limited companies provide limited liability protection, safeguarding personal assets of shareholders from company debts. All business financial transactions are separate from the business owners. Another benefit is commercial credibility: other companies are more likely to be interested in working with a limited company. In some industries, it is even impossible to trade if you are not a limited company. Limited company status is also necessary to allow outside investors to buy shares in your company.

What is the difference between directors and shareholders?

Directors manage the limited company's day-to-day operations and decision-making, while shareholders are owners who hold shares and have voting rights but are not involved in daily management, with their liability limited to the value of their shares. In most small businesses, the shareholder and the director is the same person. Companies House requires shareholders of a limited company to have at least one share, but there is no upper limit to the number of shareholders held by a shareholder. The value of each share can be as little as £1.

When can I start trading?

Once your limited company is incorporated, you can start trading immediately. It typically takes one business day to incorporate a company, with the process beginning when you fill out the online registration form and your application is submitted to Companies House. You’ll know your limited company is registered when you receive an email with your Company Number, Incorporation Certificate and Authentication Code.

Register a Limited Company the easy way

Companies House Authorised
200,000+ Customers
100% Satisfaction
Guarantee - read more

Authorised by
Companies House

200,000+
Customers

100% Satisfaction
Guarantee

Connect

An exclusive marketplace of business services to supercharge your Limited company registration

Limited Company Registration transparent pricing

ESSENTIALS

£19.99

+ vat | Excl. Companies House fees

Select

Includes:

2-6 Hours Registration

7 Days Amendment Window NEW

Digital Incorporation & Share Certificates

Expert Support On-Demand

Business Account Setup - 12 month Free

Unlimited Founder’s Handbook Access

Upgrade for Expert Assistance: Register by Phone

Upgrade for Expert Assistance: Pre-Submission Review

PRO

Limited Company & VAT registration in 1 go

£59.99

+ vat | Excl. Companies House fees

Select

Everything in ESSENTIALS, plus:

Hassle-Free VAT Registration

Complimentary 1st VAT Return Filing

Fast-Track Access to Credit with Lenkie NEW

10% Off Business Insurance with selected partners

Automatic Filing Reminder

Access to 30+ Business Templates

PRO MAX

Add a Virtual Office for Privacy, Prestige & Ease

£129.99

+ vat | Excl. Companies House fees

Select

Everything in PRO, plus:

Central London Virtual Office Address (1 Year)

Director Service Address (1 Year)

AI Powered Virtual Mailbox NEW

Printed Incorporation & Share Certificates

Fast Track Working Capital Loan Application with Iwoca NEW

Yes, I will use Online Filings Virtual Office Address

Best Value -₤60 off

MEGA

All your filings for the next 12 months in 1 package

~~£259.99~~ £199.99

+ vat | Excl. Companies House fees

Select

Everything in PRO MAX, plus:

Self Assessment Registration with HMRC

1st year Self Assessment Tax Return Filing with HMRC

1st year Confirmation Statement Filing with Companies House

Bi-annual Catch Up with Dedicated Filing Expert

The Fastest and Simplest Limited company registration

1. Check Name Availability

Chosen a company name for your limited company? Use our name search tool linked to the Companies House database to check if it's available.

2. Select a Package

Tailor your limited company registration: Add a virtual office, VAT registration, and more. All our limited company registration packages come with a 6-hour company registration turnaround. Starting from £19.99.

3. Provide Your Details

Just provide the essentials to register a limited company: business activities, directors, and shareholder details. Focus on your business; we'll handle all the paperwork.

4. Officially in Business!

Your incorporation certificate will be emailed to you soon (and posted if you've opted in). Need help with your limited company? Just ask.

Limited Company Registration FAQs

What is a limited company?

A limited company is a legal business structure in the UK where the company's liability is limited to the value of its shares.

It is a separate legal entity from its owners (shareholders), allowing it to enter contracts, own assets, and be responsible for its debts independently.

Limited companies provide the advantage of limited liability protection to shareholders, ensuring their personal assets are not at risk in case of financial issues or legal disputes.
What are the reasons to register a limited company?

Limited companies provide limited liability protection, safeguarding personal assets of shareholders from company debts.

All business financial transactions are separate from the business owners.
Another benefit is commercial credibility: other companies are more likely to be interested in working with a limited company.

In some industries, it is even impossible to trade if you are not a limited company.

Limited company status is also necessary to allow outside investors to buy shares in your company.
What is the difference between directors and shareholders?

Directors manage the limited company's day-to-day operations and decision-making, while shareholders are owners who hold shares and have voting rights but are not involved in daily management, with their liability limited to the value of their shares.

In most small businesses, the shareholder and the director is the same person. Companies House requires shareholders of a limited company to have at least one share, but there is no upper limit to the number of shareholders held by a shareholder.

The value of each share can be as little as £1.
When can I start trading?

Once your limited company is incorporated, you can start trading immediately.

It typically takes one business day to incorporate a company, with the process beginning when you fill out the online registration form and your application is submitted to Companies House.

You’ll know your limited company is registered when you receive an email with your Company Number, Incorporation Certificate and Authentication Code.

All the tools you need to Register a Limited Company

Secure your Privacy with your own Virtual Office

Prevent your home address from appearing publicly online, and on the Companies House Register.

Your official mail is saved, sorted out, and always available with our AI powered virtual mailbox.

The virtual office act as your official Registered Office Address, and director Service Address.

Bespoke Limited Company Registration assistance

Get personal, unhurried support from our company registration experts. We're here to make you feel important and supported.

READ OUR MANIFESTO

Growing something Good

Start a business, help the planet. We’re planting a tree for every company created with Online Filings, helping offset the estimated 25.8 million tonnes of CO2e emitted by UK small and medium-sized enterprises.

Register a Limited Company the easy way

Limited Company Registration transparent pricing

ESSENTIALS

PRO

PRO MAX

MEGA

The Fastest and Simplest Limited company registration

Limited Company Registration FAQs

What is a limited company?

What are the reasons to register a limited company?

What is the difference between directors and shareholders?

When can I start trading?

All the tools you need to Register a Limited Company

OnlineFilings Ltd.

About us

Companies House

HMRC