UK LTD / COMPANY + BANK ACCOUNT

UK Ltd for a Foreigner: Company and Bank Account

Register or buy a UK Ltd, receive the documents and open a company bank account in the required country. An English Ltd is not an offshore company. Open Company UK Ltd online is also available when a new incorporation is preferred.

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2026UK LTDInternational founder field guide
OFFSHORE COMPANIES UK.LTD

Do offshore companies exist in England? Yes and no. In practice, with certain components an English company can be turned into an “offshore” structure, that is, a structure with zero taxation, without any breach of law. Usually this is done by registering an English company as an LLP or LP partnership, but only when the founders of that partnership are offshore companies. For example, two Marshall Islands offshore companies establish a partnership in England. Legally, such a structure is lawful, although banks do not always approve it.

01 / COMPANY

Choose the Required UK Ltd

For a new project, register a UK Ltd with the required name, director, shareholder and capital. After incorporation, the company receives its own company number and Certificate of Incorporation.

If the incorporation date matters for a large contract, bank, tender or project presentation, you can buy a ready-made vintage UK Ltd 10–15 years old. In 2026, these are approximately companies incorporated in 2011–2016. The company number and original incorporation date remain after the owner changes.

For special and VIP projects, a UK Ltd with statement of capital from £1,000,000 can be registered or selected. The documents show the number of shares, their nominal value and total capital.

  • New UK Ltd
  • Ready-made company
  • Vintage Ltd 10–15 years old
  • Statement of capital from £1,000,000

02 / DOCUMENTS

Prepare a Package for a Bank or Foreign Transaction

The basic package of a new company includes the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles and share information. When buying a ready-made company, a Stock Transfer Form, updated register of members and new share certificate are added.

For a foreign bank, notary, tender or registry, Good Standing, certified Companies House documents and an Apostille can be ordered. It is convenient to arrange these documents together with the company.

Before buying a vintage Ltd, open Companies House by company number and check the incorporation date and filing history. After transfer, the same company record continues to use the original number.

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Articles
  • Stock Transfer Form
  • Good Standing
  • Apostille

03 / BANK ACCOUNTS

Open the Account Where the Payments Take Place

An English company can have company bank accounts in several countries. For EU clients, EUR/SEPA is convenient; for Poland, PLN; for the Czech Republic, CZK; for the United Kingdom, GBP. If the director lives in the relevant country, a local traditional bank is often an especially convenient option.

Bank Pekao coordinates account opening for corporate residents and non-residents. Komerční banka offers corporate accounts in CZK and several foreign currencies. In Asia, DBS and OCBC work with foreign incorporated companies in Singapore, while Standard Chartered Hong Kong publishes a separate account-opening checklist for companies from other countries.

For a business in several regions, open a primary and a second account for one UK Ltd. For example, EUR/SEPA for Europe and SGD/HKD/USD for Asia.

  • EUR / SEPA
  • PLN
  • CZK
  • GBP
  • SGD / HKD / USD
  • Primary + second account

04 / 2026

What Became More Convenient in 2026

On 9 June 2026 Companies House moved the mandatory transition of annual accounts to commercial software from April 2027 to 1 April 2028. Companies received 21 additional months to prepare for the new filing method.

From 2028, small companies and micro-entities will file a profit and loss account with Companies House but will be able to choose not to publish it on the public register. For small business, this keeps more commercial information outside public view.

From 1 January 2026, a new permanent 40% first-year allowance applies to qualifying new plant or machinery. For a business buying equipment, this is an additional first-year tool.

  • Accounts software filing — from 1 April 2028
  • 21 months of additional time
  • Option not to publish P&L for small/micro
  • 40% first-year allowance from 1 January 2026