Introduced in 2022, the Register of Overseas Entities plays a central role in our ongoing efforts to improve transparency of property ownership and strengthen trust in the UK business environment.
The register helps to identify overseas entities that own land and property in the UK, making it harder to hide illicit wealth behind complex corporate structures.
The aim is to shine a light on the real individuals behind those overseas entities and help to identify those who wish to exploit our corporate landscape to hide their criminality.
The register intersects with enhanced powers introduced through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. It contributes to our wider aims to:
improve the accuracy and reliability of register data increase our ability to query and challenge information we believe to be suspicious or misleading Why the Register of Overseas Entities mattersMost foreign investment in UK land and property is legitimate. However, there are organised criminal entities who seek to abuse the UK’s corporate and financial systems.
Historically, criminals have used complex ownership structures to hide illicit wealth through UK property ownership. The Register of Overseas Entities addresses this issue directly.
Any overseas entities that buy, sell or transfer UK property must:
register with Companies House provide details of their beneficial owners or managing officers keep this information updated annuallyThis means that those who own property through an overseas entity can no longer remain hidden. With greater transparency, it’s far more difficult for criminal entities to purchase UK property for the purposes of money laundering or wider economic crime.
Preventing abuse of UK propertyComplying with the Register of Overseas Entities is not optional and compliance with the rules is being robustly enforced. Overseas entities wishing to buy, sell or transfer UK property must register before completing the transaction.
Non-compliance can result in restrictions on property transactions and may also trigger further scrutiny from enforcement agencies. By linking the register to land and property transactions, the system acts as a preventative barrier and not just a reactive tool.
Supporting intelligence and enforcementIncreased transparency is a major outcome of the Register of Overseas Entities, but it also produces actionable intelligence. Information on the register supports law enforcement and wider government efforts to:
tackle illicit finance identify potential tax non-compliance investigate suspicious ownership patternsSuspicious patterns of ownership are recorded and flagged by Companies House intelligence analysts. They then share this information with partner organisations across government to support further investigation.
HMRC has indicated that information shared by Companies House has increased opportunities to identify potential tax non-compliance. This demonstrates the wider public benefit of improved transparency.
The register also supports the objectives of the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025, particularly its focus on asset recovery and targeting corrupt funds. By improving visibility of overseas entities connected to UK property, the register makes it more difficult for illicit finance to remain hidden.
Companies House also has the power to respond to non-compliance with a range of enforcement options, including financial penalties and, where appropriate, legal proceedings. All breaches are considered according to severity and whether enforcement action would be in the public interest, making sure any action taken is targeted and proportionate.
Building a more transparent systemThe impact of the Register of Overseas Entities also extends beyond enforcement. It’s supporting wider government priorities to:
tackle illicit finance increase opportunities to identify tax non-compliance enable greater scrutiny of complex ownership structuresSince 2025, trust-related information has become available through a public application process. This is a step towards enhanced transparency while keeping appropriate safeguards in place.
As one of the first registers of its kind, it’s also informing international approaches. It shows how improved transparency can act both as a deterrent and as a powerful tool in strengthening the integrity of the UK’s business environment.
Looking aheadThere are few international examples of comparable registers to learn from. However, we are committed to improving the register over time and will use evidence and operational experience to inform our progress.
Looking ahead, we will refine our approach to compliance and enforcement, while strengthening relationships with partner agencies and law enforcement colleagues.
By increasing transparency and holding these entities accountable, the Register of Overseas Entities helps make sure that the UK remains a trusted and secure place to do business.
seen at 11:59, 18 June in Companies House.