FAQ
Answers to key questions regarding our services and corporate advisory solutions
Find comprehensive information on business loans, establishing a UK LIMITED company, UK taxation rates, and international operations.
Business Financing
Bank loans, investment funds, fee structure, and arrangement terms
Q.I am looking for a business loan. Why should I choose you?
We have established formal partnerships with major European banks and international investment funds, giving our clients access to a wide range of financing opportunities.
We assess your business requirements and specific circumstances, keeping you fully informed about available financing programmes and presenting the terms and conditions of each option in an objective and transparent manner.
Our aim is to guide you towards the most suitable financing solution and secure the most favourable terms possible for your business.
Q.What are your fees for arranging business financing?
Our fees consist of two components: an initial Commitment Fee and a Success Fee, payable once the financing has been disbursed.
- •Commitment Fee: €10,000 in advance (refundable until an agreement is signed with the bank or investment fund).
- •Following signing, the fee is converted into fees for consultancy services provided.
- •Success Fee: 2% of the amount disbursed upon loan disbursement.
- •Commitment Fee: €2,000 for applications submitted to European banks.
- •Success Fee: 2% of the amount disbursed upon loan disbursement.
The Commitment Fee is non-refundable if the client has provided inaccurate or false information concerning the financial position of their company, their business plan, or any other information that may result in the cancellation of the financing agreement. This provision applies at any stage of the application process, including before the signing of relevant agreements.
The above fees do not include any application, assessment, or other charges imposed by banks and financial institutions.
UK Company Formation – LIMITED
Timelines, procedure, corporate advantages, and registered branch in Greece
Q.How long does it take to establish a UK LIMITED company?
The incorporation of a UK LIMITED company can generally be completed within approximately four working hours, provided that all the necessary information and documentation have been submitted.
Additional time is required for obtaining an Apostille (under the Hague Convention), where necessary, as well as for the postal delivery of relevant documents to Greece.
Should you wish to operate in Greece through a registered branch, Financial Counseling Services LTD will arrange for the delivery of all required documentation. The estimated completion time is approximately 20 working days from the dispatch of the complete documentation package, subject to potential delays by relevant authorities and official public holidays in Greece and the United Kingdom.
Q.What are the advantages of a UK LIMITED company?
Establishing a UK LIMITED company offers several significant advantages for organising and developing your business:
Compared with many equivalent company formation procedures in Greece, establishing a UK LIMITED is simpler and often more cost-effective.
At the same time, the company remains subject to statutory obligations, including filing annual accounts and corporate information with Companies House.
Taxation in the United Kingdom
Corporation Tax rates for 2026, VAT rules, and accounting compliance
Q.What corporate tax rates apply in the United Kingdom?
The UK tax system provides for different rates of Corporation Tax depending on the company's taxable profits.
* These thresholds may be affected by the existence of associated companies.
In addition, the United Kingdom has an extensive network of double taxation agreements with more than 100 countries, including Greece. These agreements aim to prevent the same income from being taxed twice, subject to the provisions of each treaty.
Q.What about VAT (the equivalent of Greek VAT)?
The applicable VAT rate in the United Kingdom depends on the type of goods or services supplied by the business. The main VAT rates are:
The general compulsory VAT registration threshold is £90,000 in taxable turnover over a rolling 12-month period. Registration is also required earlier if the business expects turnover to exceed this threshold in the next 30 days.
Additional registration rules may apply to businesses not established in the United Kingdom.
Q.What is included in the company formation process?
Once the incorporation process is completed, the company receives its official Company Registration Number (CRN) and Certificate of Incorporation.
We introduce you directly to our partner Chartered Accounting firm in the United Kingdom to handle accounting and tax compliance.
✓ No advance payment to the accountants is required for the initial formation procedures.
The first scheduled payment relates to annual accounting support and preparation of company financial statements, in accordance with agreed terms.
The company must comply with all statutory filing and tax obligations, regardless of whether it has carried out any commercial transactions.
International Business Operations
Offshore jurisdictions, European banking, and jurisdiction selection strategy
Q.Why don't you recommend establishing offshore companies?
In recent years, we have generally moved away from recommending the incorporation of companies in traditional offshore jurisdictions, except in certain specialised cases, such as specific shipping and maritime activities.
The international business environment has changed considerably. Increased exchange of tax information (CRS), stricter transparency controls, and more demanding compliance requirements have significantly reduced many of the advantages traditionally associated with offshore jurisdictions.
Several European banks apply stricter assessment policies and may refuse to open bank accounts for companies incorporated in jurisdictions considered to present a higher banking or regulatory risk.
For these reasons, we believe that choosing a company's jurisdiction should not be based solely on taxation. It should also take into account the ability to conduct genuine business activities, access banking services, and benefit from international recognition.
Q.Why choose a UK LIMITED instead of an offshore company?
A UK LIMITED provides a recognised and established corporate framework that can facilitate cooperation with international clients, suppliers, and financial institutions.
Compared with companies incorporated in jurisdictions that may present increased banking or regulatory risks, a UK LIMITED can offer greater flexibility and stability in international business transactions.
However, no single corporate structure is suitable for every business. The choice between the United Kingdom, Greece, or another jurisdiction should be made following an assessment of relevant legal, tax, and commercial considerations.
Incorporating a company in the United Kingdom does not automatically mean that the company will be taxed exclusively there. The place of effective management, the nature of its business activities, and the existence of a permanent establishment in another country may create additional tax obligations. For this reason, each case should be assessed in advance by a qualified tax adviser.
Have further questions?
The Financial Counseling Services LTD team is ready to answer your specific questions and provide personalized guidance for your business plans.