Share capital & shares

There is no legal minimum capital for a Private Limited company — you can form it with one pound sterling (£1) or even less in nominal share value. Many companies are registered with 100 shares at £1 per share. The declared capital is not a mandatory bank deposit at formation.

Banks and Stripe look later at your actual activity more than the capital figure on paper. At Eteform we set the default share structure clearly in the formation form and it can be adjusted later.

No. Companies House does not require a bank account to register the company. The practical order for non-residents: form the company first, obtain the Certificate of Incorporation and CRN, then open Wise Business or Revolut Business, then connect Stripe or PayPal.

Trying to open a traditional bank before formation is not possible because the account is in the company's name. Eteform guides you on the correct order after you receive the documents.

Legally, a shareholder is entitled to request a share certificate, and many small companies issue them internally as a record of ownership. They are not usually required to open Wise or Stripe, but they are useful when adding a partner, selling a stake, or proving ownership to an official body.

You can issue them yourself per the register of members or via an accountant/agent. Eteform provides the share details in the formation documents and can help with a later share transfer.

Yes, a foreign company can be a shareholder in a UK Ltd, with correct disclosure of the PSC and ultimate ownership. You will need the foreign company's documents and the details of the ultimate controllers. This structure is common for those combining a Gulf Free Zone with a British entity for European markets.

The tax complexity is higher — consult an accountant in both countries. As a natural person you can also own both separately without one owning the other.

Some providers offer a 'nominee director' to hide your identity — this is fraught with legal and compliance risks and may conflict with transparency rules, ECCTA, and the requirements of banks and Stripe. Companies House requires disclosure of the real controllers (PSC).

We recommend that you be the real director and shareholder, with your address protected via a Director Service Address instead of a fake nominee. Eteform does not encourage non-transparent concealment structures.

A shelf company is a pre-registered company sold later to give an impression of greater age. For non-resident Arabs, a fresh formation within 24–48 hours is clearer, cheaper and easier for identity verification. Shelf companies may carry a history or hidden liabilities and require careful due diligence.

In most Stripe, freelance and e-commerce cases, a new company via an ACSP is better. If you need apparent age for a rare contractual reason, discuss the case with us before buying from a third party.