Opening a company in the UK from Brazil is probably a lot easier than you think it is. And there are plenty of reasons why doing so is an excellent idea. If you’re looking to expand your current business or start a brand new business, having a base or a brand in the UK is wise, and surprisingly easy to do. Although, bear in mind that while it is relatively easy to register a UK company from pretty much anywhere in the world, the responsibility of running that business and keeping up with the taxes and general maintenance is something you should first decide you're ready for. If you're wondering how to open a business in UK from Brazil, keep reading to learn about the necessary steps and requirements for successfully setting up your enterprise in a new country.
Why would you want to open a company in the UK from Brazil?
You may be thinking that opening a company in the UK from Brazil as a foreigner sounds like a complicated process, involving lots of paperwork and bureaucracy. That's not the case! In fact, it's very easy and straightforward.
The UK is one of the world's leading economies and when you think about it, there are many reasons why you would want to consider setting up your business here:
- British business people are highly skilled and knowledgeable; this means that there’s a great environment for learning and improving on your current ideas and abilities and on getting mentorship from other business owners who are already in the journey.
- The UK has an excellent reputation for being forward-thinking and innovative - this could be very important for those who want their business ideas to stand out among others in their field or industry.
The advantages of opening a business in the UK are many, and include:
- The workforce have high levels of education, training and expertise.
- The UK boasts a strong financial sector.
- There are super efficient transport links with other countries and regions around the world.
What do you need to know before opening a company in the UK from Brazil?
Before you begin, it is important to understand the requirements for registering a company in the UK as a foreigner from Brazil. There are several steps that need to be taken before starting your business and these include:
- Registering your business with Companies House
- Finding an accountant and bank for your business
- Finding a business address in the UK (if you don't have one already)
- Registering with HMRC
Choose your business address.
In order to choose the right business address, you’ll need to think about where your customers are located and how easy it will be for them to find your company. You should also consider the transport links and parking facilities available at this location. The following are some of the factors that you need to take into account:
- Transport links
- Parking facilities
- Access to utilities
However, it's quite likely that yours is an e-commerce business which means that you probably don't need an actual office, shop or specific location. If this is the case, you can opt to get a virtual office address instead. When opening a business in the UK as a foreigner, the option of a virtual office makes life much easier. A virtual office provides a professional business address for your company without the need for a physical office space. It offers services such as mail handling and forwarding, phone answering, and call forwarding. Some providers also offer access to meeting rooms and flexible workspaces.
Virtual offices allow you to maintain a professional image, project credibility, and enhance your operational flexibility, especially for e-commerce businesses. When choosing a virtual office provider, consider factors such as reputation, location, services, and costs. We’ll let you know at the end of this article how you can go about getting a virtual London office address with wamo.
Register your business with Companies House online from Brazil
Here is a detailed explanation of the steps you’ll need to take to register your company with Companies House in the UK from Brazil. It’s possible to do this on your own, or to use a company formation agent:
- Choose a company name: The first step to registering a company in the UK is to choose a name for your company. It is important to ensure that the name is unique and not already in use by another business. You can check if the name is available on the Companies House website.
- Register your company: To register your company, you will need to complete an application form which can be done online or by post. The form requires you to provide details about your company, including its name, registered address, and the names of its directors. You will also need to provide details about the company's shareholders and their shareholdings.
- Provide identification documents: You will need to provide identification documents for each of your company's directors. These documents can include a passport, driving license, or national identity card. If the documents are in a foreign language, they will need to be translated into English and certified.
- Pay the registration fee: There is a fee to register your company with Companies House. The fee varies depending on the method of registration and the type of company you are registering. The fee can be paid online using a credit or debit card, or by postal order or cheque.
- Wait for confirmation: Once you have completed the registration process and paid the fee, you will receive confirmation that your company has been registered with Companies House. This confirmation will include your company's registration number and the date of incorporation.
İlayda Birol
Choosing an accountant and bank for your business.
If you’re going to be conducting yourUK business online from Brazil, we recommend having an accountant to help you maintain your business finances. Choose an accountant who understands your business. As a small business owner this is options (but recommended!)If you have a mid-sized or large business, then you will need to hire an accountant to help manage your accounts and taxes.
The accountant should be able to help with other legal issues related to running a business in the UK, including:
- Setting up new companies under UK law
- Opening bank accounts in the UK
- Getting VAT numbers
Next, you should have a business bank account, especially as this will enable you to make and take payments in GBP and avoid the hassle of high fees and exchange rates. But also, your international customers will take your business more seriously and have a better transaction experience if they’re able to pay in more widely accepted currencies.
Again, look for a bank or financial service provider that’s right for your business. You should expect services such as cash management, account reconciliation, multiple accounts and IBANs and virtual debit cards. Make sure they also provide all the other necessary financial services for your type of company (e.g., merchant account, credit card processing).
Register for taxes
Now that you have registered your business and opened an account, it's time to pay taxes. It is important to note that taxes are not easy to understand: you may have heard about how long it takes some people to submit their returns, or how many times they get audited. Although this can be daunting, keep in mind that it's all part of the process wherever you have a business! The good news is that there are ways for you to get help with your tax return—for example by hiring an accountant who can take care of everything for you.
İlayda Birol
How long does it take to register a limited liability company in the UK from Brazil?
When registering a limited liability company in the UK from Brazil, the process can vary in terms of time and complexity. While it is possible to navigate the registration processon your own, it can be a relief to use a third party company formation service to remove all the hassle and potential obstacles that can trip you up and make the process longer and more expensive.
Here's a breakdown of the registration process and approximate timeframes:
- Choose a company name: Before registering a limited liability company in the UK from Brazil, you need to ensure that your company name is available. You won’t be able to continue the registration process if another UK company already has the name you choose.
- Document Preparation: The next step involves preparing the necessary documents, including the Memorandum and Articles of Association, details of the company's shareholders and directors, and other required information.
- Company Registration: (24 hours) Once the documents are prepared, you can submit the registration application to Companies House. The registration process usually takes around 24 hours to be completed online. However, during peak periods or if there are any complications, it may take longer for the registration to be processed.
- Bank Account Setup: After the company is registered, you will need to open a business bank account in the UK. The timeframe for opening a bank account can vary depending on the bank's requirements and procedures. It typically takes a few days to a few weeks to finalize the bank account setup, including the necessary paperwork and verification processes.
If the registration process goes smoothly and all required documents are prepared correctly, registering a limited liability company in the UK from Brazil can typically be completed within a few days to a few weeks. But always be prepared for unforeseen circumstances, procedural delays, or additional requirements may extend the registration timeframe.
It's recommended to consult with a professional or service provider to get accurate and up-to-date information on the specific requirements, timeframes, and procedures involved in registering a limited liability company in the UK from Brazil.
What is the trade agreement between Brazil and the UK?
There’s no specific trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Brazil.
In the terms of the general state of trade between the UK and Brazil, it's worth noting that there’s a healthy and substantial trade relationship. Brazil is one of the UK's largest trading partners in Latin America. And trade includes a variety of sectors including oil, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and beverages.
Coming soon: Register your UK company from Brazil with wamo in 2 days!
We’ll soon be launching our company formation service which will allow you to get a wamo business account and to register a UK company online from Brazil all within 48 hours.
From all of the feedback we get from our international business owners, we understand that a business account needs to be more thank just a bank account. Which is why we place our focus on making registering for an account as easy as possible and making sure that you get all the customer support you need when you need it.
Opening a UK company as a foreigner from Brazil is a brave move and we understand that it can feel like a far way place to understand and control your business in. It will soon be possible to use our Company Formation service to register a UK company online from Brazil in just 20 minutes. You’ll also get a wamo business account with GBP and EUR IBANs and friendly customer support, not just at the start! We will become your partners on your business journey!
To join the waitlist to use wamo’s Company Formation service, download the wamo business app from Google Play or the App Store and start your registration process, you will automatically be added to the list and we’ll notify you when the service is ready.
We look forward to helping you expand your business into the exciting UK market and to being there to support you every step of the way.
