From 6 April 2026, the UK's Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) tax-advantaged share scheme qualifying limits were widened: companies can now have up to 500 full-time-equivalent employees (was 250) and up to £120m gross assets (was £30m), the company-wide cap on shares under EMI option doubled to £6m (from £3m), and the maximum exercise window extended to 15 years (from 10). The expanded thresholds also apply to existing unexercised EMI options.
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UK EMI share option limits expanded from 6 April 2026: up to 500 staff, £120m assets
Why this matters for founders
Scale-ups that had grown past the old 250-employee or £30m-asset ceilings can now (re)adopt EMI to grant tax-advantaged options; founders should review or amend existing option plans to capture the higher £6m pool and 15-year window.
Source: Saffery
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