The Complete Guide to Setting Up a Virtual Office in London

Introduction

London is one of the most prestigious business locations in the world but securing a physical office in the city can be expensive and unnecessary, especially for remote teams, freelancers, and startups.

A virtual office in London offers the best of both worlds: a premium business address and professional presence without the cost of physical office space.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through what a virtual office is, why you might need one, how to set it up, and how to choose the right provider in London.

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Virtual Office?

2. Benefits of Using a Virtual Office in London

3. Virtual Office vs Registered Office Address

4. Is a Virtual Office Legal for Business Banking?

5. What Services Are Included?

6. How Much Does a Virtual Office Cost in London?

7. How to Choose the Right Provider

8. How to Set Up Your Virtual Office Step-by-Step

9. FAQs

1. What Is a Virtual Office?

A virtual office provides a professional business address, mail handling, and sometimes phone services, without needing a physical desk or workspace. It allows you to register your business at a London address while operating remotely.

Want a full breakdown? Read: What is a Virtual Office and How Does It Work?

2. Benefits of Using a Virtual Office in London

• Professional credibility with a Central London address

• Privacy protection (use instead of your home address)

• Mail handling and forwarding

• Business registration eligibility

• Lower costs vs. physical space

• Ideal for startups, remote workers, and international founders

3. Virtual Office vs Registered Office Address

While often used interchangeably, they serve slightly different purposes:

• Virtual Office – General service that includes address, mail, and extras

• Registered Office – Official legal address for Companies House registration

Dive deeper: Virtual Office vs Registered Office – What’s the Difference?

4. Is a Virtual Office Legal for Business Banking?

Yes—but only if the provider offers a real UK address and not just a forwarding service. Many banks now accept virtual addresses if they meet certain criteria.

Learn more: Is a Virtual Office Legal for Business Banking?

5. What Services Are Included?

Typical services include:

• Central London business address

• Mail scanning or forwarding

• Director’s service address

• Phone answering or voicemail

• On-demand meeting rooms (optional)

6. How Much Does a Virtual Office Cost in London?

Prices range from £10/month to £50/month depending on:

• Location (e.g., WC1 vs EC1)

• Services (mail forwarding, phone answering)

• Provider reputation

Read the full comparison: Cheapest Virtual Office Providers in the UK – 2025 Edition

7. How to Choose the Right Provider

Consider these key questions around choosing the right virtual office provider:

• Registered address included?

• Company formation services?

• Mail forwarding costs?

• Customer support quality?

• Trustpilot reviews and testimonials

8. How to Set Up Your Virtual Office in 5 Steps

1. Choose a provider and address tier (basic, pro, or premium)

2. Upload your company documents for verification (KYC)

3. Pay and activate your account

4. Update Companies House with your new registered office address

5. Set mail forwarding or scanning preferences

Need a full walkthrough? Contact us or get started here.

9. FAQs

Can I use a virtual office for HMRC?

Yes, if it’s your official registered address.

Can I meet clients at my virtual office?

Some providers offer meeting rooms, you’ll need to check.

What’s the difference between a virtual and serviced office?

A serviced office includes a physical workspace; a virtual office does not.

Conclusion

A virtual office in London gives you access to one of the world’s top business cities without the high costs of physical space.

Whether you're a solo founder, a startup, or an international business expanding into the UK, it’s the easiest way to build credibility, protect your privacy, and stay lean.

Ready to secure your London virtual office? Get Started Today