EOR providers in the UK: published prices
Our shortlist for the UK, with each provider's own published starting price per employee per month. We don't test providers hands-on: get an itemised quote for your hire.
- RemoteVisit websiteAffiliate link
From US$599 a month · checked 4 November 2026
Owned-entity model and public cost information make UK budgeting straightforward.
- DeelVisit website
From US$599 a month · checked 4 November 2026
Good fit if you also run UK contractors and want both in one platform.
- RipplingVisit website
Quote-based · checked 4 November 2026
Strong option if you already run US HR and payroll on Rippling and want UK staff in the same system.
- MultiplierVisit website
From US$459 a month · checked 17 October 2026
Low published starting price (US$459, billed annually). Compare the UK-specific quote.
For US companies, the UK has no language barrier, with business centres in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol. The main employer costs are 15% National Insurance on earnings above £5,000 and a minimum 3% pension contribution.
Setting up a UK limited company is quick, but running UK payroll (PAYE), pensions and HR compliance takes ongoing work. An Employer of Record (EOR) handles all of it under a UK employment contract while you manage the work.
UK employment law is also changing. The Employment Rights Act 2025 is rolling out reforms in stages, including statutory sick pay from the first day of sickness (since April 2026) and a six-month qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims from 1 January 2027. This guide covers costs, rules, provider comparison and when to set up a UK Ltd. Figures link to official sources. We do not test or use the providers listed; see our methodology.
An Employer of Record is a company with a UK entity that employs staff on behalf of foreign businesses. It issues the UK employment contract, runs payroll through HMRC's PAYE system, deducts income tax and employee National Insurance, pays employer National Insurance, auto-enrols the employee into a workplace pension, and handles statutory sick pay, leave and terminations.
You pay the EOR a monthly invoice for salary, employer costs and its fee. The employee works in your team under your direction.
Because your company directs the work, the employee may in some set-ups count as an agency worker. Under the Agency Workers Regulations, agency workers gain equal treatment on basic pay and conditions after 12 weeks in the same role. Ask your provider how its UK model is structured and which rules it applies.
New to EORs? Our guide to what an Employer of Record is answers the 30 most common questions, from who the legal employer is to what happens if a provider fails.
UK employment cost has three layers: gross salary (12 monthly payments), employer costs (National Insurance, pension and, for large employers, the Apprenticeship Levy) and the EOR fee.
Employer National Insurance is charged at 15% only on earnings above £5,000 a year, and the minimum pension contribution only applies to a band of earnings. The tables and estimator apply both.
Annual cost at example salaries
| Annual cost | Junior / support | Mid-level professional | Senior professional | Lead / manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross salary (annual) | £35,000 | £55,000 | £80,000 | £120,000 |
| Paid as 12 payments of | £2,917 | £4,583 | £6,667 | £10,000 |
| Employer National Insurance (Class 1)[9]15% of gross above £5,000 | £4,500 | £7,500 | £11,250 | £17,250 |
| Workplace pension (auto-enrolment minimum)[10]3% of gross, between £6,240 and £50,270 | £863 | £1,321 | £1,321 | £1,321 |
| Apprenticeship Levy[9]0.5% of gross | £175 | £275 | £400 | £600 |
| Total employment cost | £40,538 | £64,096 | £92,971 | £139,171 |
| EOR fee£450 / month: the US$599 starting price published by Deel, Remote, Globalization Partners and Atlas HXM, converted. Pricing tracker | £5,400 | £5,400 | £5,400 | £5,400 |
| Total annual cost via EOR | £45,938 | £69,496 | £98,371 | £144,571 |
| Multiple of gross salary | 1.31× | 1.26× | 1.23× | 1.20× |
What these figures include and exclude
- Employee National Insurance and income tax are deducted from gross pay under PAYE and are not employer costs.
- The pension figure is the legal minimum on the qualifying earnings band. Employers can contribute more, or on full salary.
- The Employment Allowance reduces an eligible employer's NI bill; it is claimed by the employer, which in an EOR arrangement is the provider.
- Statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay and similar payments are partly or fully funded by the employer.
Estimate your own cost
Enter a salary to see the estimated annual cost, including mandatory employer contributions and an EOR fee. Change the fee to match the quotes you receive. For worked examples at four salary levels, see cost to hire an employee in the UK.
United Kingdom employment cost estimator
Estimated total annual cost
£69,496
≈ £5,791 per month on average · 1.26× gross salary
- Gross salary
- £55,000
- Employer National Insurance (Class 1)15%
- £7,500
- Workplace pension (auto-enrolment minimum)3%
- £1,321
- Apprenticeship Levy0.5%
- £275
- Employer costs subtotal
- £9,096 (16.5%)
- EOR fee (12 months)
- £5,400
- Total
- £69,496
First year
- First-year cost
- £69,496
- Refundable deposit1 mo
- £5,341
- Cash needed in year one
- £74,837
Estimate only. Percentage costs are applied to total annual gross pay, up to any contribution ceiling. Real payroll uses specific bases, and collective agreements may add costs. Employee social security and income tax are deducted from gross pay and are not employer costs. Not included: Compulsory employers' liability insurance (at least £5 million of cover), priced by insurers.
Compliance
Key United Kingdom employment rules
Several reforms under the Employment Rights Act 2025 are being phased in during 2026 and 2027. Check the current position before you make an offer.
- Written statement
Every employee and worker must receive a written statement of particulars no later than their first day, covering pay, hours, holiday, sick pay, pensions, notice, job title, any probationary period and required training.[21]
Employment Rights Act 1996, section 1.
- Probation
No statutory length. Any probationary period, its conditions and its duration must be stated in the written statement.[21]
Employment Rights Act 1996, section 1(4)(ga) and (6).
- Working time
Working time, including overtime, may not exceed an average of 48 hours a week, normally averaged over 17 weeks, unless the worker agrees in writing to opt out. The worker can end an opt-out with at least seven days' notice (or the notice in the agreement, up to three months).[26]
Working Time Regulations 1998, regulations 4 and 5.
- Annual leave
5.6 weeks of paid leave a year (4 weeks plus 1.6 weeks), capped at 28 days, which is 28 days for a five-day week. Employers can count bank holidays towards it. Leave can't be replaced by payment except on termination.[26]
Working Time Regulations 1998, regulations 13 and 13A (workers on irregular hours or part-year contracts have their own accrual rules).
- Sick pay
Statutory Sick Pay is paid by the employer from the first day of sickness (since 6 April 2026), at £123.25 a week or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower in 2026/27. Employers can't recover SSP from HMRC.[9]
Employment Rights Act 2025, section 10, in force 6 April 2026 (S.I. 2026/373). Employers can offer enhanced company sick pay on top.
- Family leave
Up to 52 weeks of maternity leave (26 weeks ordinary plus 26 weeks additional). Statutory Maternity Pay runs for up to 39 weeks: 90% of average weekly earnings for 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% if lower (2026/27).[27]
Employers can usually recover 92% of statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay from HMRC, or 109% for small employers (Class 1 NI of £45,000 or less in the previous tax year).
- Notice periods
After one month's service, the employer must give at least one week's notice; from two years, one week per complete year of service, up to 12 weeks after 12 years. The employee must give at least one week. Contracts can set longer periods.[22]
Employment Rights Act 1996, section 86. Either side can waive notice or accept pay in lieu.
- Unfair dismissal
Employees currently need two years' continuous service to claim ordinary unfair dismissal. The Employment Rights Act 2025 cuts this to six months and removes the cap on the compensatory award from 1 January 2027, including where notice is given before that date but employment ends on or after it.[23]
Employment Rights Act 1996, section 108; Employment Rights Act 2025, section 25; S.I. 2026/559. Many automatically unfair reasons need no qualifying period. Statutory redundancy pay still requires two years' service (ERA 1996, section 155).
- Right to work
Employers must check that a person is allowed to work in the UK before employing them, online with a share code or from original documents. Employing someone without the right to work can lead to a civil penalty; a correct check gives a defence.[30]
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, section 15.
How the UK compares
- EOR pricing in the UK and other countries: Lowest published provider fee, employer costs and the monthly total.
- Employer social security: how the UK compares: Every mandatory employer contribution, with rates and ceilings.
- Severance pay: how the UK compares: What the law requires an employer to pay when employment ends.
- Notice periods: how the UK compares: Minimum employer notice, and how it grows with service.
- Minimum wage: how the UK compares: Official rates, annual equivalents and a US-dollar comparison.
- Annual leave: how the UK compares: Statutory minimum leave and public holidays, country by country.
- 13th-month pay by country: Where extra salary payments are required by law or agreement.
- Employer pension contributions by country: Rates, earnings ceilings and scheduled increases.
- Contractor vs employee tests by country: How each country decides whether a contractor is really an employee.
- EOR visa sponsorship by country: Who applies for the work permit, and when an EOR can sponsor.
- Employer changes in 2027: Rate rises and new rules already legislated for next year.
From 1 January 2027
UK unfair dismissal qualifying period cut to six months
Probation reviews matter more: decide on hires before they reach six months' service, and expect higher potential awards. Redundancy pay still needs two years' service.
Effective 30 October 2026
UK employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment
Check that your EOR and your own managers have a harassment policy, training and a reporting route that cover third parties.
Effective 6 April 2026
UK Statutory Sick Pay paid from the first day of sickness
Short absences now cost SSP from day one; budget for it and check whether your EOR's contract adds enhanced sick pay.
See every country in the employment law changes tracker.
Providers
EOR providers in the UK compared
These EOR providers publish information about employing in the UK. Prices are their own published starting rates in USD. Quote-only providers are marked.
In the UK, ask whether the provider uses its own UK entity, which pension scheme it auto-enrols employees into and at what contribution rate, and whether the Apprenticeship Levy is passed through.
| Provider | Published EOR price | Delivery model in the UK | Notes | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deel | From US$599per employee / month | Confirm with provider | Broad product suite; add-ons priced separately. | Visit |
| Remote | From US$599per employee / month | Owned entities (provider's stated model) | Published price per employee per month (checked 15 Oct 2026). | Visit |
| Oyster | From US$699per employee / month | Confirm with provider | Published EOR price per employee per month (checked 15 Oct 2026). | Visit |
| Multiplier | From US$459per employee / month | Confirm with provider | Low published starting price (Core plan, billed annually) (checked 15 Oct 2026). | Visit |
| Rippling | Quote-based | Confirm with provider | Strong fit if you also run US payroll on Rippling. | Visit |
| Globalization Partners (G-P) | From US$599per employee / month | Confirm with provider | Enterprise focus; published starting price. | Visit |
| Papaya Global | From US$499per employee / month | Confirm with provider | Useful if you later run UK payroll through your own Ltd. | Visit |
| Atlas HXM | From US$599per employee / month | Own legal entities (provider's stated model) | Platform fee from US$599 per employee per month plus a country Local Employer Services rate, which is not published (checked 15 Oct 2026). | Visit |
| RemotePass | From US$349per employee / month | EOR available per its country guide; confirm entity or partner | Published EOR price from US$349 per employee per month, including tax (checked 15 Oct 2026). Its country guide says redundancy isn't possible under the EOR setup. | Visit |
- DeelFrom US$599
- Delivery model:
- Confirm with provider
- Notes
- Broad product suite; add-ons priced separately.
- RemoteFrom US$599
- Delivery model:
- Owned entities (provider's stated model)
- Notes
- Published price per employee per month (checked 15 Oct 2026).
- OysterFrom US$699
- Delivery model:
- Confirm with provider
- Notes
- Published EOR price per employee per month (checked 15 Oct 2026).
- MultiplierFrom US$459
- Delivery model:
- Confirm with provider
- Notes
- Low published starting price (Core plan, billed annually) (checked 15 Oct 2026).
- RipplingQuote-based
- Delivery model:
- Confirm with provider
- Notes
- Strong fit if you also run US payroll on Rippling.
- Globalization Partners (G-P)From US$599
- Delivery model:
- Confirm with provider
- Notes
- Enterprise focus; published starting price.
- Papaya GlobalFrom US$499
- Delivery model:
- Confirm with provider
- Notes
- Useful if you later run UK payroll through your own Ltd.
- Atlas HXMFrom US$599
- Delivery model:
- Own legal entities (provider's stated model)
- Notes
- Platform fee from US$599 per employee per month plus a country Local Employer Services rate, which is not published (checked 15 Oct 2026).
- RemotePassFrom US$349
- Delivery model:
- EOR available per its country guide; confirm entity or partner
- Notes
- Published EOR price from US$349 per employee per month, including tax (checked 15 Oct 2026). Its country guide says redundancy isn't possible under the EOR setup.
Compare providers for the UK
- Multiplier vs RemotePassIn the UK: US$459 vs US$349 a month (published starting prices).
- Globalization Partners vs Papaya GlobalIn the UK: US$599 vs US$499 a month (published starting prices).
- Globalization Partners vs Atlas HXMIn the UK: US$599 vs US$599 a month (published starting prices).
- Rippling vs Papaya GlobalIn the UK: quote vs US$499 a month (published starting prices).
For the UK-specific selection criteria and a shortlist, see best EOR providers in the UK. For each provider's products and pricing model, see the provider directory.
Decision
EOR vs setting up a UK Ltd
A UK private limited company (Ltd) is one of the fastest and cheapest entities in the world to set up: online registration with Companies House takes about a day and costs £100, and there is no minimum share capital (full cost breakdown). You then register as an employer with HMRC for PAYE and choose a pension provider.
Ongoing costs are modest compared with continental Europe: an accountant, payroll software or bureau, annual accounts and corporation tax returns (25% main rate, 19% for small profits), a confirmation statement, and HR and employment-law support.
| Factor | Employer of Record | UK Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first hire | Depends on the provider's onboarding; no entity to set up | After set-up (incorporation, PAYE registration, bank, pension) |
| Upfront cost | Any deposit the provider requires | Low: registration fee and advisory |
| Ongoing fixed cost | None; scales per employee | Accountant, payroll, filings, HR support |
| Legal employer | The EOR | Your UK company |
| Can invoice UK customers | No | Yes |
| Corporate tax exposure | Lower, but permanent establishment risk depends on employee activities | UK corporation tax on local profits |
| Exit | Terminate employment; end service agreement | Terminations plus strike-off or liquidation |
An EOR usually fits when…
- You're making one or two UK hires and want them started within days
- You're testing the UK market before committing
- You don't want to manage PAYE, pensions and UK HR compliance
A UK Ltd usually fits when…
- You expect a sustained UK team of roughly two or three or more
- You'll sell to UK customers or sign UK contracts
- You want your own pension, benefits and share-scheme arrangements
What a team costs through an EOR
Annual cost of a team of mid-level professionals on £55,000 each, with statutory employer costs from our cost model and an EOR fee of £450 per employee per month, using the estimate in this country's cost model. Providers may price differently by country and team size, so ask for a quote. US-dollar amounts use the US Treasury rate of 0.752 GBP per US$1 (30 September 2026).
| Team size | Salaries and employer costs | EOR fees | Total through an EOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 employees | £320,480 | £27,000 | £347,480 (about US$462,100) |
| 25 employees | £1,602,397 | £135,000 | £1,737,397 (about US$2,310,400) |
| 50 employees | £3,204,795 | £270,000 | £3,474,795 (about US$4,620,700) |
This illustration uses the same salaries and employer costs for both options; actual charges and benefits can differ by employing entity. The estimated EOR fees are £27,000 a year for 5 employees, £135,000 a year for 25 employees and £270,000 a year for 50 employees. Compare them with your entity's setup and running costs, including payroll, over your chosen period, and allow for any differences in employer costs.
Work out your own break-even with the EOR vs entity calculator, or see the step-by-step method in EOR vs local entity: a break-even framework.
- 1
Define the role and salaryDay 0
Agree an annual gross salary, notice period, holiday entitlement and any bonus or equity terms.
- 2
Compare itemised quotes1–3 days
Request UK quotes covering the fee, deposit, pension contribution level, benefits and offboarding. Use the estimator to sanity-check totals.
- 3
Sign the service agreement
Review liability for termination costs, IP assignment, and data protection (UK GDPR) terms.
- 4
Contract and right-to-work check2–5 days
The EOR issues a UK contract and written statement, and completes the right-to-work check before day one.
- 5
Payroll and pension set-up
The EOR adds the employee to PAYE payroll (with their National Insurance number and tax code) and auto-enrols them into its pension scheme.
- 6
Ongoing administrationMonthly
Monthly payroll, RTI submissions to HMRC, pension contributions, holiday and sickness records.
How fast can I hire in the UK through an EOR?
When is payroll paid in the UK?
How much does it cost to employ someone in the UK through an EOR?
What is the employer National Insurance rate in 2026/27?
Is a pension mandatory in the UK?
Is it legal to use an EOR in the UK?
Should I hire a UK contractor instead?
When should I set up a UK limited company instead?
Sources
Official resources
Rates and rules on this page are based on the following official sources. Numbers in brackets in the tables above link to these entries.
- 1Payslips: employee rights
GOV.UK
Payslips must be provided on or before payday, with the required details.
- 2Running payroll: reporting to HMRC (FPS)
GOV.UK
Send the Full Payment Submission on or before employees' payday.
- 3
- 4Remote Country Explorer: the UK
Remote
Remote's onboarding conditions, payroll cut-off and payroll cycle, checked 27 October 2026.
- 5
- 6Companies Act 2006, ss. 382 and 477
legislation.gov.uk
Small company thresholds of £15 million turnover, £7.5 million balance sheet and 50 employees; audit exemption.
- 7Audit exemption for private limited companies
GOV.UK
Audit exemption thresholds and exceptions, including group and subsidiary conditions.
- 8Workplace pensions: what you, your employer and the government pay
GOV.UK
Minimum employer contribution of 3% (8% total).
- 9Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027
HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
National Insurance rates and thresholds, pension and statutory payment rates.
- 10Automatic enrolment earnings thresholds 2026–27
The Pensions Regulator
Qualifying earnings band (£6,240–£50,270) and the £10,000 trigger.
- 11
- 12Employers' liability insurance
GOV.UK
Employers must get employers' liability insurance from an authorised insurer, covering at least £5 million; fines of £2,500 for each day without it.
- 13Employment Allowance
GOV.UK
Up to £10,500 off employer Class 1 NI a year; the £100,000 liability limit no longer applies from April 2025; single-director companies excluded.
- 14Redundancy: your rights
GOV.UK
Statutory redundancy pay: half, one or one and a half weeks' pay per year by age, service capped at 20 years, weekly pay capped at £751 (maximum £22,530) from 6 April 2026.
- 15
- 16Employment contracts and written statements
GOV.UK
What must be in a written statement of employment particulars.
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21Employment Rights Act 1996, section 1
legislation.gov.uk
Statement of initial employment particulars, including any probationary period.
- 22
- 23Employment Rights Act 2025, section 25
legislation.gov.uk
Unfair dismissal qualifying period cut to six months; in force 1 January 2027 under S.I. 2026/559.
- 24Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2026
legislation.gov.uk
Sexual harassment prevention duties in force 30 October 2026.
- 25Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) Regulations 2026
legislation.gov.uk
Brings section 25 into force on 1 January 2027, with transitional provisions.
- 26Working Time Regulations 1998
legislation.gov.uk
48-hour week and opt-out (regs 4–5); annual leave (regs 13–13A).
- 27Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave: employer guide
GOV.UK
52 weeks' leave, 39 weeks' SMP and recovery rates.
- 28Agency Workers Regulations 2010, regulation 7
legislation.gov.uk
12-week qualifying period for equal treatment.
- 29Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, section 15
legislation.gov.uk
Civil penalty for employing someone without the right to work.
- 30
The UK is one of the cheapest major markets to employ in. Total cost through an EOR runs at roughly 1.20–1.31× gross salary at our example salaries, and the fee is a smaller share at senior salaries.
Because a UK Ltd is quick and inexpensive to set up, an EOR makes the most sense for first hires or market tests. Plan to compare against your own entity once you have two or three UK employees.
Watch the Employment Rights Act timeline, which changes sick pay and dismissal protection through 2026–2027, and see our Ireland guide if you're weighing an EU base nearby.
Ready to compare providers?
Review published pricing and fit signals side by side, then request itemised United Kingdom quotes from two or three providers.
Government fees on World Cost Ledger
Our sister site compares official government fees by country, sourced the same way as this page.
Related research
- Cost to hire in the UKEmployer costs at four salary levels, explained line by line.
- Best EOR providers for the UKShortlisted providers, published prices and what to check.
- UK employer rates and thresholds 2026/27NI, pension band, minimum wage, SSP, family pay and redundancy on one page.
- EOR in IrelandEnglish-speaking EU alternative to the UK.
- EOR vs contractorsIR35, misclassification and when contractors fit.
- EOR vs local entityWhen to set up your own company.
- UK Ltd setup costsCompanies House incorporation and confirmation statement fees.
- Moving an employee from an EOR to your own UK LtdDoes TUPE apply? The test, the case law, and what happens either way.
- EOR provider directoryPublished pricing, products and fit signals.
- Can an EOR sponsor a visa in the UK?What the immigration rules say about EOR visa sponsorship, with 11 other countries.
- Minimum wage by countryUnited Kingdom's minimum wage ranked against other countries in US dollars.
- What it costs to dismiss in the UKStatutory notice and severance after five years on US$60,000: about US$10,760, the 24th highest of 34 countries.
- EOR vs PEOWhich model you need when hiring abroad.