UK market entry for overseas companies
Expanding into the UK? Here is what it takes.
Setting up in the UK means a handful of decisions you need to get right first time: your legal structure, your directors, your bank account, and your registrations with HMRC, the UK tax authority. Get them wrong and you face delays, rejected bank applications and penalties.
Paul Beare helps overseas companies set up and run their UK operation. We handle formation, banking, tax, payroll and HR, so your team can focus on winning customers.
Where are you expanding from?
Each guide explains the UK setup in terms that make sense from your home market.
Australia
HMRC vs the ATO, VAT vs GST, and how UK pensions differ from super.
Australia guide → NZNew Zealand
UK structure, banking and tax for New Zealand companies, from our Auckland team.
New Zealand guide → CACanada
Setting up and running a UK entity owned by a Canadian parent.
Canada guide → USUSA
How a UK subsidiary or branch fits alongside your US company structure.
USA guide → ZASouth Africa
UK setup for South African companies, planned around moving funds offshore.
South Africa guide →Five steps to a working UK operation
Every overseas company follows the same route. The order matters, because banks and HMRC expect each step done before the next.
Choose your UK structure
Most overseas companies choose a UK subsidiary, a UK branch or a representative office. Your choice shapes your liability, your tax and how easily you open a bank account.
Appoint and verify your directors
A UK company needs at least one director who is an individual. They do not need to live in the UK. Directors are legally responsible for filing accounts and keeping Companies House, the UK's official register of companies, up to date.
Put local representation in place
A company secretary is optional, but with directors overseas it makes life far easier. They deal with HMRC and Companies House, and many UK banks want a local contact. For a branch, this role is called the authorised representative. Paul Beare often fills it and provides your UK registered office address.
Open your bank account and register for tax
UK banks run detailed checks on overseas owners. Once your account is open, you register for Corporation Tax, VAT once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in any rolling 12 months, and PAYE before you pay your first employee.
Hire, pay and stay compliant
UK contracts, right to work checks, payroll and workplace pensions for your team. Then bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual accounts and Companies House filings, every year, on time.
Rates, thresholds and rules as at October 2026 and may change. This is a summary, not legal or tax advice.
Subsidiary, branch or representative office?
The short version. Your advisory call covers how each one fits your plans and your home tax position.
| UK subsidiary | UK branch | Representative office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separate UK legal entity | Yes, a UK limited company owned by your parent | No, part of your overseas company | No |
| Who carries the liability | The UK company | Your overseas parent | Your overseas parent |
| Can trade and sign sales | Yes | Yes | No, preparatory activity only |
| UK Corporation Tax | On the UK company's profits | On the profits linked to the branch | Generally none while activity stays preparatory |
| Best for | Trading, hiring and building for the long term | Testing the market with a small team | Research and relationships before you sell |
Two-minute UK readiness check
Are you ready to launch in the UK?
Tick each statement that is true for your business today.
Why overseas companies choose Paul Beare
Built for overseas companies
We work with businesses run from head office abroad. We know what your board needs to see.
One team, not five suppliers
Formation, banking, tax, payroll and HR under one roof. Nothing falls between the gaps.
London and Auckland
A London team on the ground in the UK, and an Auckland team for clients in the southern hemisphere.
Grows with you
From your first UK contract to a full team. Your support scales as the business does.
See it in practice. Read how other overseas companies set up and grew in the UK with us.
Read our case studies →Free advisory call
Talk to us about setting up in the UK
Answer a few quick questions and pick a time that suits you. We will recommend the right structure and set out your next steps.
Prefer to talk now? London +44 20 7183 8786 · Auckland +64 9 875 3755 · info@paulbeare.com