How to start freelancing in the UK (your first 90 days)

So you want to go freelance

Welcome. Whether you've just quit your job, graduated, or you're side-hustling your way out of a 9-to-5, this guide covers the actual steps to get set up as a freelancer in the UK. No motivational waffle. Just the things you need to do, in the order you need to do them.

The good news? It's genuinely not that complicated. The bad news? Nobody tells you this stuff in one place. Until now.

Step 1: Choose your business structure

Most freelancers start as a sole trader. It's the simplest option — no Companies House registration, no annual accounts filing, no formation fees. You just tell HMRC you're self-employed and crack on.

You might consider a limited company later if you're earning over £50,000 or want to separate personal and business liability. But for now? Sole trader is perfect.

Sole trader vs limited company (the short version)

• Sole trader: Simple setup, you keep all profits, you pay Income Tax + National Insurance. Best for most freelancers starting out.
• Limited company: Separate legal entity, more paperwork, potential tax savings at higher earnings. Worth considering once you're established.

Step 2: Register with HMRC

You need to register as self-employed with HMRC. Do this as soon as you start working — ideally within your first month. Here's how:

• Go to gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment
• Create a Government Gateway account (if you don't have one)
• Register for Self Assessment as a sole trader
• You'll get a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) in the post within 10 working days

Keep your UTR safe. You'll need it for your tax return, and some clients will ask for it before they pay you.

Step 3: Sort your money

This is where most new freelancers go wrong. Open a separate bank account for your freelance income. It doesn't need to be a business account — a second personal current account works fine at the start.

Why? Because when tax time comes, you don't want to be scrolling through Deliveroo orders trying to find your business expenses.

The 30% rule

Every time you get paid, move 30% into a savings account you don't touch. This covers your Income Tax and National Insurance. It feels painful at first, but it means no nasty surprises in January.

Step 4: Get your basics ready

Before you chase your first client, get these sorted:

• A professional email address — yourname@yourdomain.com looks better than hotmail
• A simple portfolio — even 2-3 examples of your work. A single-page website or a PDF will do
• An invoice template — you'll need this faster than you think
• A contract template — protects both you and your client

Don't overthink any of this. Done is better than perfect, especially in month one.

Your first 90-day plan

Days 1-30: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Open your business bank account
• Set up your invoice and contract templates
• Build a basic portfolio (even personal projects count)
• Tell everyone you know that you're freelancing

Days 31-60: Outreach

• Identify 20 potential clients in your niche
• Send personalised outreach messages (not templates)
• Sign up to 2-3 freelance platforms relevant to your skill
• Attend one online or local networking event

Days 61-90: Momentum

• Land your first paid project (any size counts)
• Deliver it brilliantly and ask for a testimonial
• Review your pricing — are you charging enough?
• Set up a simple system for tracking expenses

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until everything is perfect — it never will be. Start before you're ready.
• Not setting boundaries — decide your working hours early. Clients will fill every gap you leave open.
• Forgetting about tax — set aside 30% from day one. Future you will be grateful.
• Undercharging — your first rate won't be your forever rate, but don't work for free either.

You're closer than you think

Starting freelance feels like a massive leap. But the actual admin? Register with HMRC, open a bank account, build a basic portfolio, reach out to people. That's it for month one.

The rest you'll figure out as you go. Every freelancer does.