Legal structure - United Kingdom
The English LTD :
0% on dividends, 19% in corporation tax - and what nobody tells you before you sign.
The British Limited Company remains one of the most competitive structures in Europe - even post-Brexit. Low charges, tax-exempt dividends for non-residents, set-up in 48 hours. But it's not for everyone. Let's check yours before going any further.
Set-up in 48 hours - No capital required - French-speaking contact person
What you get
- Complete incorporation of your company
- Companies House filing
- Preparation of statutory documents
- Declaration by associates
- Registered office in the United Kingdom
- Certificate of incorporation
- Coordination of bank account opening
- Follow-up until registration
Pre-validation required (2 minutes)
19%
Corporate income tax
0%
Dividends for non-residents
48h
Creation time
500€
Minimum capital requirement
Which activities are right for you?
to the LTD structure?
E-commerce & online services
Attractive tax treatment for international activities. Ideal if your business is not exclusively based in the UK.
Consulting & services
Flexible structure, with no physical location constraints. Popular with international freelancers and consultants.
Asset management & investment
Optimize your financial structures with a UK holding company. Maximum flexibility for asset management.
International holding company
Ideal for combining with other structures. Highly flexible status, recognized worldwide for its reliability.
Tech & SaaS
The UK ecosystem is highly favorable to tech startups. Easy access to investors and English-speaking markets.
Optimization structure
The LTD works perfectly in combination with a Portuguese LDA or an American LLC for a multi-layer strategy.
Post-Brexit focus: The UK LTD no longer gives access to the European single market. If your business requires a European passport, a Portuguese LDA or a French structure may be more suitable. Prior arbitration is strongly recommended.
LTD, LDA, LLC, SARL :
what each structure really costs.
| United Kingdom LTD |
Portugal LDA |
United States LLC |
France SARL / SAS |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS (profits) | 19%Possible reduction to 0% via Agency Agreement Law | 17% <€50k21% beyond | 0%If activity 100% outside US | 25%15% SMEs subject to conditions |
| Dividends | 0%Paid outside the UK for non-residents | 28%0% possible non-EU resident | 0%No dividend tax | 30%Flat tax |
| Social security charges | Low0 if self-employed manager <£702/month | 11% employee34% company | 0If no employees or US activity | 45-65%Among the highest in Europe |
| VAT | 20% | 23% | 0%No federal VAT | 20% |
| Required capital | 0 | 500€ | 0 | 1 (theoretical) |
| Creation time | 48h | ~3 weeks | 24-48h | 1-2 weeks |
| Administrative complexity. | Low | Moderate | Very low | High |
| EU market access | ✓ Post-Brexit | ✓ Yes | ✓ or subject to conditions | ✓ Yes |
* This table is intended as a general guide only. Your actual tax situation depends on your profile, residence and activity. Personalized arbitration is recommended.
Setting up your company in England
At WizeCounsel, we offer a complete LTD creation service, in partnership with professionals based locally in the UK.
Whether you're a freelancer, an investor or the head of an international organization, we're here to support you. from A to Z to set up your English company - turnkey, in 48 hours.
Included in the service
Not included
- International tax optimization
- Analysis of personal tax residence
- Comparisons between several countries or structures
- Comprehensive strategic support
- Post-registration follow-up
Creation LTD United Kingdom
€1 490
T.T.C - Full procedure
⚡ Turnkey in 48 hoursWhat's included
- Incorporation + registration
- Legal address in the United Kingdom
- Certificate of incorporation
- Banking coordination
- French-speaking contact
Pre-validation required (2 minutes)
Additional options
- Dedicated strategic consultation (90 min)
- Extended support & supervised questions (defined duration)
- Priority handling
They put their trust in us.
"From the very first contact, I was impressed by their responsiveness, attentiveness and professionalism. Every step was perfectly mastered, with clear advice and rigorous follow-up."
Daniel Deru
CEO, Green Solutions
"A person of great qualities, both on a professional and human level. One of the best decisions I ever made was to use his services. I highly recommend him."
Raphael Abitbol
CEO, Samlev Invest
Additional files and analyses
LTD in the UK without tax residence
General legal framework and conditions for non-residents.
Read →Economic substance and effective management of an LTD in the UK
What you need to demonstrate for your structure to be recognized for tax purposes.
Read →Taxation of an LTD in the UK: principles and limits
Comprehensive analysis of tax mechanisms for non-resident managers.
Read →LTD in the UK: risk of tax requalification (France / European Union)
Points to watch before committing yourself if you live in France or the EU.
Read →Not sure if LTD is the right structure for you?
20 minutes to find out. No obligation.
Free qualification exchange →Or call us direct : +33 7 45 13 66 95 · +351 915 938 047