The UK offers a stable business environment with well-established legal frameworks and access to capital markets. As a major global economy, it provides opportunities for companies looking to expand internationally.

Setting up operations in the UK means understanding the local regulatory requirements. Two areas need particular attention from the outset.

 

What you need to know

Getting UK compliance wrong can be costly and time-consuming to fix later. The requirements vary significantly depending on your business size, structure and activities and recent regulatory changes mean some thresholds and obligations have shifted. Both areas are important when establishing a UK presence and understanding them early will help you make informed decisions about your business structure.

 

Meeting your compliance obligations

Filing deadlines, when you’ll need an audit, which accounting standards to use, and how recent changes might affect your business.

 

Understanding your UK tax position

Corporation tax rates, available reliefs like R&D credits, VAT requirements, and how double tax treaties might affect your business.

 

UK tax and audit guides for international companies

We have created two guides that focus on the practical side of UK compliance. They cover the questions we get asked most often by foreign companies, including current rates, recent regulatory changes, and how these requirements actually work in practice.

Doing business in the UK – Establishing a presence

9th July 2025
 
Establishing a business presence in the United Kingdom offers significant opportunities...
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Doing business in the UK – How do you open a UK branch?

31st March 2023
 
Trading with the UK has changed significantly in recent years, so we look at how overseas businesses can open offices in the UK.
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Tax

Doing business in the UK – A tax perspective

10th June 2025
 
Gravita has a team of tax experts who can guide overseas companies if you are looking to set-up in the UK, contact the Gravita team here.
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Doing business in the UK – Audit and accountancy

10th June 2025
Written by: Thomas Adcock
Gravita have a team of experts who can smoothly guide overseas companies, if you are looking to set-up in the UK, please contact us here.
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Pre-revenue accounting: Getting your start-up's finances right from day one

Pre-revenue accounting: Getting your start-up’s finances right from day one

13th October 2026
Written by: Jenny Cessini
When you’re starting a business, there’s a lot to think about. From developing your idea to finding your first customers, accounting might not be at the top of your to-do list. But some of the...
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Starting a business Why the right foundations matter from day one

Starting a business? Why the right foundations matter from day one

13th October 2026
Written by: Jen Sewell
Starting a business is exciting. Whether you’re launching a new venture or bringing an innovative idea to market, there is plenty to think about beyond simply the concept.  The decisions you make in the early...
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Minerva Research Labs VAT case shows why marketing matters

13th October 2026
Written by: Ashraf Cuerdo
The recent Minerva Research Labs Limited v HMRC [2026] UKFTT 1320 (TC) decision is a reminder that when determining the VAT liability of food- and drink-related products, it is not always enough that something is...
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