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

If you are a sole trader you need to register as 'self-employed' - this means that you are 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 1 director in the UK.