With Countingup, you can register your company and open a business account at the same time.
We’ve streamlined the process, so in one simple form, you can apply to register your UK limited company and open a Countingup business current account. We’ll even cover the £50 registration fee charged by Companies House for you to help you get your business started.
See more information about how this works here.
Below we outline the minimum criteria to register your company and open a business current account with us. Note that meeting the criteria to apply doesn't guarantee that we'll be able to offer you an account.
Registering your company
You can register your company if you are:
- at least 18 years old
- a UK resident, and
- you have not previously registered a company through Countingup
- do not already have a Countingup business account
Your new company will:
- be limited by shares
- have 1 ordinary share, owned by you as the sole shareholder and recipient of profits (you can change this later with Companies House)
- have a sole Director and Person of Significant Control (you).
Additional requirements
To register your company and use your account, you’ll also need:
- a smartphone with the Countingup app installed (minimum supported version iOS 12+ and Android 5+)
- a valid UK mobile number
- a valid email address
- a valid photo ID. This could be a passport, driving licence or European ID card (we do not currently accept UK Biometric Residence Permits).
Countingup is app-based and has no physical branches.
Getting started
Use our search tool to check if the name you want for your new business is available.
Business types we don’t support
- Partnerships
- Charities
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO)
- Trusts
- Company limited by guarantee/Private limited company by guarantee
Industries we don’t support
- Trading of weapons, explosives or armaments
- Trading in cryptocurrencies & NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
- Stock Market/Forex Trading
- Money Service Businesses (such as foreign exchange, loan providers, money transfers)
- Gambling and betting activities including but not limited to; casinos, prize draws, lotteries, competitions
- Trading in precious metals and stones
- Trading in bullion
- Sale or trade of cannabidiol (CBD) products
- Activities of religious organisations
- Places of Worship
- Activities of political parties/organisations
- Social/Community Clubs
- Not for Profit services
- Escort services
- Regulated businesses where the applicant is unable to provide the licence required to operate
Please note that ‘Trading’ refers to all activities of the supply chain including sourcing, production/manufacturing, import/export, distribution, logistics, retail/wholesale and other associated activities.