GOV.UK
Set up a business in the UK
1. Overview
Business structures in the UK
When you start a business in the UK you must choose a structure for your business.
Most businesses in the UK are:
- sole traders
- limited companies
- partnerships
You must register as ‘self-employed’ if you’re a sole trader - this means that you’re working for yourself, not for someone else.
Usually, if you carry on a business in the UK you’ll need to live in the UK. If your business is a private limited company, you’ll also need a registered office and at least one director in the UK.