Doing business in Scotland

A major benefit of the Scottish market is that companies can be established within 24 hours, and it is easy to see why so many choose to locate here. With extensive travel links, including the largest ports industry and air transport system in Europe, Scotland and the UK offers proximity and easy access to customers, suppliers and partners.

Similarly to UK, Scotland has a single, transparent corporation tax rate of 25% for all resident companies with profits of £250,000 or more. In Scotland, a small profit rate of 19% applies to businesses with profits of £50,000 or less. The 19% rate also applies to overseas companies with a UK branch. This is the lowest rate in the G7.

While London continues to attract the largest share of the UK’s FDI, there are many other cities around the UK which serve as an excellent bases for setting up a business including Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

It is important to note that the UK is comprised of different legal jurisdictions and although there are many similarities, there are different legal and regulatory compliance requirements across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This guide looks at the UK as a whole while noting some important legal differentiations between England and Scotland.

This guide is aimed at businesses who are looking to expand or invest into Scotland. At Burness Paull, we are passionate about supporting businesses as they establish and grow. While this guide does not constitute legal advice, it provides a high-level overview of key requirements for entering the Scottish market. We recognise that every business faces different challenges and complexities, and our approachable team is here to support you through each step of the process.