What is a virtual office and how does it work?

A virtual office is a service that gives your company or professional activity a physical business address without having to rent or maintain your own space. It usually includes mail handling, call management and a professional corporate image, all for a single monthly fee.

What does a virtual office include?

The exact services vary by provider, but most virtual offices are built around the same basics: an address where you receive your mail, someone to answer your calls and the option of a physical space whenever you need one. This is what it usually includes:

• Registered and business address in a prestigious location

• Receipt and handling of mail and parcels

• Call answering by a dedicated receptionist

• Occasional access to meeting rooms when you need them

• A sign or visible listing in the centre's directory

Who is a virtual office the best option for?

Not every business needs the same thing, but for some profiles this service is especially cost-effective compared with renting a physical space of your own:

• Freelancers and self-employed professionals who work from home but need a professional image

• New companies that want to keep fixed costs to a minimum

• Remote businesses that need a physical address for administrative matters

• Companies testing an expansion to a new city before opening a physical office

Virtual office vs. registered office service

In practice, these aren't two different services but the same service seen from two angles, depending on what the person searching needs:

• People searching for "virtual office" usually focus on having an address and a professional image without a physical space, often from a remote-work or online-business perspective.

• People searching for "registered office" usually focus on the legal and tax process of registering their company at a specific address.

Frequently asked questions about virtual offices

Is it legal to register my company at a virtual office?

Yes, it's completely legal and very common, as long as the provider is authorised to offer registered office services.

Can I receive mail and parcels at my virtual office?

Yes, mail and parcel handling is usually included in the service, and you're notified when something arrives in your name.

Do I need to be registered as self-employed to sign up for a virtual office?

It isn't essential when you sign up, although most companies that use this service do so to complete their tax and business registration.