Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
What advice is available regarding setting up a UK Ltd company for someone who’s self-employed and reliant on a single major UK company for work, especially when that company won’t provide a letter permitting remote work? This is for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”We were advised yesterday this wouldn’t work because you need to be independent from the company, you can’t just own your own company in the UK. Have you spoken to a lawyer? I wish we had earlier in the process to save a lot of hassle”
”If you are self-employed you should not need a letter from a client. The contract details will be enough. That is only if you are employed. If you are the sole owner of an Ltd it is considered the same as self-employed. You must have a contract with a 3rd party business. If you form an Ltd as a partnership then it can be considered a 3rd party business”
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In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, setting up a UK Ltd company while being reliant on a single major UK company for work can be complex. Legal advice seems split: some suggest independence from the client is crucial, while others emphasize the importance of contract details.
Being self-employed might not necessarily require a letter from the client, as the contract itself could suffice. However, forming an Ltd as a partnership might provide a workaround by establishing a third-party business relationship. It’s advisable to seek legal counsel early in the process to navigate potential challenges effectively.
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