▥CompanySetupFactsData & sources ↗

Company setup · official UK sources

Start with the right company record and official guide.

Find an existing UK company, follow the official incorporation checklist, or compare dated business-formation statistics. Each answers a different question.

UK limited companies

Use the current official steps

Prepare and register

The official service covers the information needed, identity checks, current fees and alternative application methods. Confirm these at the source before applying.

Open the registration service ↗

Check an existing company

Use the permanent company number to distinguish organisations with similar names, then review the official filing history and observation dates.

Find company information ↗

Source links checked 21 September 2026. UK incorporation guidance only; eligibility, tax treatment and non-UK formation rules require the appropriate official source.

Country context · historical aggregate data

Business formation in 11 selected countries

These World Bank observations describe registered business activity. They do not measure incorporation fees, legal eligibility, processing time or the suitability of a country for your business.

11 countries shown

CountryRegistrations per 1,000 adults aged 15–64YearNew registrationsYear
Australia18.12024316,5612024
Canada5.22022131,7832022
Denmark6.8202425,9692024
Estonia26.8202423,1542024
France6.82024286,5482024
Germany1.4202475,7752024
Ireland6.6202423,4402024
Netherlands3.4202239,0552022
New Zealand16202455,4172024
Singapore11.6202452,2482024
United Kingdom19.22024841,1382024

Countries are listed alphabetically. Each indicator retains its own observation year. Values are nominal source observations; missing values are not zero.

Method

Keep each source attached to the question it answers.

Company searches go directly to Companies House. The setup links go to official UK guidance. Company records and filings remain with their official source.

The country table uses an approved aggregate World Bank projection prepared on 3 September 2026. It contains 11 selected countries, not complete global coverage. The latest available year can differ by indicator and country.

Sources and coverage

Companies House / GOV.UKOfficial registration and existing-company information. This site provides source routes, not an eligibility or tax decision.
World Bank World Development IndicatorsIC.BUS.NDNS.ZS — new-business density; IC.BUS.NREG — new registrations. Retrieved 1 September 2026; observation years remain beside every figure.Density source ↗ · Registration count source ↗ · World Bank Dataset Terms / CC BY 4.0 ↗