Doing business in Scotland

Scotland has a long history of international trade.

Outside of London no other UK region attracts more foreign direct investment and, with operating costs being up to 40% lower than in London, many businesses are choosing to set up here. Our skills, expertise, infrastructure and services have always been in strong demand globally. Thanks to a high concentration of universities and accessible education programmes, over half of the Scottish working population has benefitted from higher education or further qualifications.

Source: Financial Times FDI Benchmark 2022

The Scottish government has traditionally offered significant support to many Scottish businesses, whether it be funding to secure jobs, tax reliefs or financial support for innovation and R&D. Scotland continues to offer significant incentives in the form of grants or subsidies to foreign investors, and Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise have a budget of nearly £2.7 billion to invest in the Scottish economy over a three-year period. This collaborative ­approach is a key reason why almost 40 new investors chose Scotland in 2022 and 7,780 skilled jobs were created via inwards investments.

In 2021 Scotland recorded a 14% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, making it the leading investment region in the UK outside of London. The top four investment sectors in Scotland during 2021 were digital, health, real estate and cleantech.

Scotland is brilliantly connected. With five international airports and most major European cities within two hours, it truly is an ideal steppingstone into Europe for your business. ­­

Making a business investment in a new jurisdiction is not a decision to be taken lightly and can challenge the way you have become accustomed to running your business. Burness Paull has a wealth of experience in advising clients from across the globe on their business ventures in Scotland, particularly how best to navigate potential pitfalls and maximise the benefits offered by the Scottish market.

Source: SDI 2022

This guide covers some of the main legal and regulatory compliance requirements for businesses operating in Scotland and is aimed at those who are looking to expand or invest into the UK, and at the organisations which are supporting them in this move.

Download the guide to Doing Business in Scotland.