Business accounts: United Kingdom
An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.
The United Kingdom is one of the easiest countries to register a company in: a private limited company is registered online in one or two days, and its details are public in the register. The account is harder: banks are supervised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority and check companies whose directors and owners live abroad closely. New transparency rules have applied since 18 November 2025, and banks check compliance with them.
A UK company: key conditions
| Question | How it works |
|---|---|
| Online registration at Companies House | £100, ~$133 |
| Annual confirmation statement | £50 when filed online, ~$67 |
| Identity verification | mandatory since 18 November 2025 for new directors and persons with significant control, within 12 months for existing ones |
| Address | a registered office in the UK |
| Resident director | not required by law, but many banks expect a director or owner living in the country |
Dollar amounts are converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, about $1.32 per pound, and rounded up.
We will calculate online the cost of opening an account for your company and maintaining it for a year.
Where to open an account
| Option | Chances | What else the bank will ask |
|---|---|---|
| A major UK bank, the director lives in the UK | high | proof of the director's address, business description |
| A major UK bank, all directors abroad | low | often a personal visit and a link to the UK |
| A digital bank or payment institution with a UK licence | medium to high | remote identity check, owners' documents, source of funds |
What the bank will check
- A register extract and confirmation of identity verification for directors and persons with significant control.
- Passports and proof of addresses of directors and owners of 25% or more.
- Business description, clients, suppliers, payment countries and expected turnover, the website and contracts.
- The link to the UK: clients, staff, office, tax registration.
- Source of capital and of the owners' funds.
Company taxes
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Corporation tax | 19% on profits up to £50,000, 25% on profits above £250,000, with marginal relief in between |
| Value added tax | 20%, registration mandatory from £90,000 turnover over 12 months |
A company effectively managed from another country may be treated as tax resident there, so we plan where decisions are made in advance.
How the opening works
- Company registration and identity verification of directors.
- Registration with the tax authority and, if needed, for value added tax.
- Choice of a bank or payment institution for your model.
- Application, video check or branch visit, answers to the bank's questions.
- Account opening and online banking setup.
Digital banks often open an account within one or two weeks; at major banks the review for foreign-owned companies takes one to three months.
Who gets refused
The bank will refuse if the company has no link to the UK and no clear business, if directors have not passed identity verification, if the ownership structure is opaque, if the source of money cannot be proven, or if the company, its owners or counterparties are linked to sanctions. UK banks check Russian citizens especially closely; we check whether the bank works with them before preparing documents.
What we do
Murblz specialists register the company, help directors pass identity verification, register the company for tax, choose a bank or payment institution, prepare the business description and the explanation of the source of funds, and handle correspondence until the account is open. We keep the filings so the bank does not close the account over breaches. We fix the estimate in writing; the decision to open an account always rests with the bank.
What we do
- Corporate account - opening assistance
See also
Company formation · Personal account · Investment property · Country taxes
FAQ
Can a UK company open an account if the director lives abroad?
How much does registering a company in the UK cost?
What is directors' identity verification?
What taxes does a UK company pay?
How long does opening an account take?
Does the company need a UK address?
How much does it cost to open a company account with your help?
Need a company account in the United Kingdom?
We assess whether a UK bank or payment institution will open an account for your company given its owners and activity, prepare the compliance pack and follow it through. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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