Is a Virtual Office Legal for Business Banking?

Is a virtual office legal for UK business banking? Learn what banks accept virtual addresses, what you need to prepare, and how to ensure approval.

Hugo Cannon

June 12, 2025

Business owners often wonder if UK banks will accept virtual office addresses when opening a business account.

The short answer: yes, provided the virtual address meets legal requirements and is supported by proper documentation.

1. ✅ Legal Framework & Companies House

Under UK law, a company can use any valid UK address—including a virtual office—as its registered, trading, or service address, so long as it's within the relevant jurisdiction and can receive mail.

A virtual business address satisfies the Companies House and HMRC requirements aimed at delivering official correspondence.

2. 🔒 Business vs Personal Account Rules

Banks differentiate between business and personal banking:

Personal accounts require a residential address for Anti‑Money Laundering checks.
Business accounts, however, are focused on your registered company address, which can legally be a virtual office.

3. ✅ Bank Acceptance of Virtual Addresses

Tide explicitly states its virtual office addresses are eligible for business account registration and mail handling.

Virtual Office Base also confirms:

“Yes, you can use a virtual address to create a business bank account.”

For banks like Monzo and Starling, acceptance is typically straightforward, though some may require the trading address to match the registered office and to support mail handling services.

4. 📋 Preparation Tips for Bank Applications

To ensure a smooth application, make sure to:

Use the same virtual address across Companies House registration and bank forms.
Choose a virtual office provider offering proof of address documentation, mail forwarding, and scanning services.
Be ready with additional documents: e.g., company incorporation papers, accountancy letters.
Consider starting with fintech-focused banks: Tide, Monzo Business, Starling which tend to have fewer barriers.

5. ✅ Summary Box

Question	Answer
Can you use a virtual address with a bank?	Yes — for business accounts, not personal ones
What types of banks accept it?	Fintech banks easily; traditional banks may require additional proof
What do you need?	Matching registered address, mail handling, and KYC docs
What should you do first?	Register your company, set up the virtual office, and then choose a fintech bank

✅ Conclusion

A virtual office is completely legal for business accounts in the UK so long as:

You register your company with that address,
Your provider supports mail forwarding,
You match addresses during the application and
You are prepared with supporting documentation.

Many clients report that opening a Monzo Business or Tide account with a virtual address was “straightforward”.

For quick approval, fintech providers are the best bet.

👉 Next Steps

Choose a virtual office provider that offers KYC support and mail handling like Virtual Office Base.
Register your company using that address.
Open a business account with a fintech bank.
Upload all relevant docs and enjoy professional banking with a premium London address.