Last Updated on November 13, 2025 by Joy Kyalo
Can you register a business at a virtual office? These are among the many questions business owners ask themselves when transitioning to remote working from a traditional office setup. Virtual offices make it possible for businesses to transition to remote work.
With technological advancements, flexible business models have become more popular, and a virtual office enables maintaining a physical presence in the jurisdiction of incorporation. It is an affordable solution, especially in renting office spaces and reducing overhead costs.
Whether you can use a virtual office for company registration or not, this article will guide you through everything you need to know about registering a company.
Key Takeaways
- You can legally register a UK company using a virtual office, as long as the address meets the Companies Act 2006 requirements.
- A virtual office helps maintain a professional image while cutting costs on rent, utilities, and other overheads.
- It provides flexibility for remote work and essential services like mail handling.
- BusinAssist simplifies both UK company registration and virtual office setup in one place.
Can you register a business at a virtual office?
To answer the question, you can register your business at a virtual office as long as the virtual address is compliant with legal requirements. In the UK, a virtual office address used to register a company must align with the Companies Act 2006 registered office address.
According to the Companies Act 2006, a registered office address must be located in a physical location and not a P.O. Box address.
Key features of a registered office address;
Mail: The address must be accessible to receive and acknowledge official correspondence and legal notices from the government and legal agencies.
Publicly visible: The address must be publicly available at the Companies House register.
Jurisdiction: A registered office address must be in the same jurisdiction as where the company is registered. This means that if a company is registered in London, the registered office address must be in London.
To register a UK company using a virtual office address, it must meet all these requirements of a registered office address. If a virtual office meets all these requirements, it can be legally used to register a company in the UK.
Why use a virtual office to register a company in the UK?
Professional image
Virtual offices make it easier for business owners to operate from anywhere in the world while maintaining a physical presence in one location. This enhances the professional image of the company since virtual offices are located in prestigious locations and maintain physical stability, no matter where the company is operated.
The stability and physical presence make it easier to build trust and the brand’s credibility with customers, suppliers, investors, and partners. For instance, if you operate your business from the comfort of your home, a UK virtual office address will enhance the professional image of your company since it will give the perception that your business is located in a prestigious professional location.
Pro Tip: Get All the Perks of a UK Office Without the Overhead
A UK virtual office lets you project a credible, professional image, manage mail and calls seamlessly, save significantly on rent and utilities, and operate from anywhere, all while keeping a consistent business presence in the UK.
Mail handling and communication service
To be legally liable to register a company in the UK, a virtual office address must be accessible to receive and acknowledge official correspondence and legal notices. Virtual offices come with mail handling services, which sort mail on behalf of the company and ensure the company receives its mail right on time.
How this operates is that, at the address you have chosen for your business, official mail will be sent there, and the service providers will sort it for you. Depending on the package you have chosen, you can be digitally notified when they receive your mail, scan it and forward it to your email, or be forwarded to your designated address.
Additionally, business owners can benefit from communication services. This makes it easier for companies to seamlessly operate like they are in a traditional office space. Business owners can seamlessly operate while maintaining local communication with customers, suppliers, and investors.
Cost savings
Virtual offices are way more affordable than renting a commercial office space. Office spaces can be very expensive, adding to your company’s expenses, but a virtual office address saves a lot of cost. With a virtual office address, businesses save on overhead costs, rent, maintenance, and utility bills.
At an affordable price, business owners get to rent a virtual office address and still benefit from additional services.
Flexibility
A UK virtual office offers the flexibility for business owners to operate anywhere in the world while the company maintains a consistent physical presence in one location. This makes it easier for digital nomads, remote teams, and those who do not require a permanent office space.
How to register a business at a virtual office
Now that you know, you can use a virtual office for company registration, it is essential to understand the steps involved in registering a company with it.
Choose a virtual office service provider
To register a UK company with a virtual office address, you must look for a UK virtual office service provider that offers an address where you want your company to be located. BusinAssist offers virtual office packages that come with addresses from seven locations in the UK.
When choosing a virtual office, it is important to consider your business needs, such as location, reputation, services offered, pricing, compliance, contract terms, and legal terms.
Sign up for the service
Once you get a virtual office service provider, you can choose a package and register. You can complete the registration process by providing the necessary business details.
BusinAssist offer a virtual office package with UK company incorporation. This makes it easier and seamless for business owners to have their company incorporated and have a business address at the same time.
Once you have the address, you can register your company by;
Pro Tip: Register Smart with the Right Provider
Always choose a Companies House authorised virtual office provider that offers both a registered office and mail handling service. Trusted provider like BusinAssist lets you form your UK company and set up your business address in one go saving time, ensuring compliance, and enhancing your professional image.
Choosing a company name
Choose a unique name for your company. it should align with Companies House name regulations and restrictions. The name should not be similar to or the same as that of existing companies. The name should not be offensive, use sensitive words, or imply a government connection. Other requirements for company names in the UK can be checked at Companies House.
Nominate directors: You need at least one director, who must be at least 16 years old. You’ll need their full name, date of birth, and nationality.
Nominate shareholders: You need at least one shareholder. You’ll need their full name, date of birth, nationality, and residential address.
Assign a SIC code: This code classifies your company’s business activity, such as manufacturing or agriculture.
Register the company
You can choose to register the company directly with Companies House or the service provider that you choose to rent a virtual office address with.
Conclusion:
Can you register a business at a virtual office? Yes, you can register your business at a virtual office, as long as the address meets the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. As mentioned above, a virtual office offers several benefits, from enhancing the business’s professional image to its cost-effectiveness.
BusinAssist offers a Cheap UK virtual office and also helps businesses incorporate their company seamlessly. The one-stop service makes it easier for business owners to access both services simultaneously.
To incorporate your UK company at a virtual office, contact us at info@businassist.com.
FAQs
Q: Can I legally use a virtual office address for company registration in the UK?
Ans: Yes, a virtual office address can be legally used to register a company in the UK.
Q: Does Companies House accept a virtual office address for a limited company?
Ans: Companies House does accept a virtual office address for incorporating a limited company, as long as it is compliant with the Companies Act 2006.
Q: Can I use a virtual office as my registered office address?
Ans: Yes, you can use a virtual office as a registered office address. However, the address must meet the Companies Act 2006.
Q: Is a virtual office address the same as a registered office address?
Ans: No, they are not the same; however, the virtual office can be used as a registered office address to register a company.
Q: Can I open a business bank account if my company is registered with a virtual office address?
Ans: Yes, you can open a business bank account with a virtual office address that has been used to register a company.
Q: Can foreign entrepreneurs use a UK virtual office for company formation?
Ans: A virtual office address can be used by foreigners to register a company in the UK. It makes it easy for foreigners to operate a UK business, no matter where they are.
Read Also:
- How Much Does a Virtual Office Cost? A Complete Guide for UK Businesses
- How Does a Virtual Office Work?
- How to Get a Virtual Office Address with BusinAssist: A Complete Guide
- The Best Registered Office Address Providers in the UK: How to Choose the Right One for Your Business
- Can a Virtual Office Address Be Used as a Registered Office Address?
- Registered Office Address in London, UK: A Guide for Your Business Needs
- Company Registration Scotland: Your Complete Guide to Scottish Limited Company Formation
- Company Registration in Northern Ireland: How to Form Your Business the Right Way
- 50 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2026: Low Investment and High Potential
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Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.