Public Access to Trust Data on the UK Register of Overseas Entities Expanded

Members of the public can now request access to trust-related information held on the UK Register of Overseas Entities (ROE), following regulatory changes approved earlier this year. The update marks a significant shift in transparency around overseas ownership of UK land.

Under new rules effective from 1 September 2025, certain trust information that was previously shared only with HMRC and law enforcement bodies can now be disclosed by Companies House upon request. The change forms part of wider efforts to strengthen oversight of overseas entities operating within the UK property market.

What Changed with the Register of Overseas Entities From September 2025

Since its launch in August 2022, the ROE has required overseas entities that own or acquire UK land to submit details of their beneficial owners. This information has generally been available to the public, except in cases where the beneficial owner is a trustee of a trust.

Under the updated regulations, members of the public can now apply to Companies House for disclosure of trust information linked to a single overseas entity. Each request will incur a fee of £55 per entity.

The change follows amendments made through the Register of Overseas Entities (Protection and Trusts) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which expand public access while maintaining safeguards around sensitive data.

Limits on Disclosure & Legitimate Interest Tests

Although access has been widened, not all trust information will be released automatically. Where an application relates to more than one overseas entity or involves trust information connected to individuals under the age of 18, disclosure will only occur if the applicant can demonstrate a legitimate interest.

Legitimate interest may include purposes such as investigating suspected money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing or breaches of sanctions. In cases where this test does not apply, applicants must still provide specific identifying details, including the name and registration number of the overseas entity and the name of the relevant trust.

Information will not be disclosed where a successful protection application has been made. These protections apply where releasing the information could place individuals at risk of intimidation or violence, ensuring personal safety considerations remain in place.

What Information May Be Released

Where disclosure is approved, Companies House may release details such as the name of the trust, the date it was created, and the date it ceased to be associated with the overseas entity, where applicable. The information provided will depend on what is held on the register.

If a trustee is an individual, the ROE holds additional details including their name, month and year of birth, nationality, correspondence address and their role within the trust. The register also records when individuals became involved in, or ceased to be involved in, the trust.

Where the trustee is an organisation rather than an individual, corresponding information may be released, including its legal form and governing law. Companies House has indicated that, subject to restrictions, information will generally be released within five days, although conditions may be placed on how the data can be used or shared.

Conclusion

The expansion of public access to trust data represents a notable development in the UK’s transparency regime for overseas property ownership. By allowing controlled access to previously restricted information, the changes aim to support greater scrutiny while maintaining safeguards for sensitive cases.

As the new rules have come into effect from September 2025, individuals and organisations seeking information now need to follow the application process carefully and be aware of the limits on disclosure.