Company Registration Cost in the UK: 2026 Fees and First-Year Budget
- Modified: 8 November 2026
- 8 min read
- Starting a Company
Melody Huang
Author
Melody Huang is a content specialist at Osome, focused on producing expert content that supports UK entrepreneurs. She breaks down complex business topics into accessible, step-by-step advice — from setting up a limited company to managing accounts and planning for long-term growth. Melody’s work makes the blog a go-to resource for businesses looking to thrive in the UK.
Mosan Ali
Reviewer
Mosan Ali is our Accounting Manager based in the UK and has a wealth of knowledge of UK GAAP, VAT, and PAYE. With 12 years of experience crunching numbers and ensuring compliance, he keeps our financial reporting ship-shape. Think of Mosan as our blog's accounting guru. He carefully reviews our UK-focused content, ensuring it's accurate, up-to-date, and packed with helpful tips for UK businesses. Get your taxes right from day one with our informative blog posts.
The company registration cost in the UK starts at £ 100 in Companies House fees for a private limited company. For most founders, the wider ongoing costs of a company in the UK depend on the registration route, address and accounting support. Separating one-off costs from annual services helps you compare formation packages and estimate the cost to set up and maintain your company.
Key Takeaways
- Registration fees for company incorporation are £ 100 online, £ 124 on paper and £ 156 for same-day incorporation through software.
- A small company buying a registered address and basic accounting support can budget £ 800–1,500 for registration and its first reporting cycle.
- Company formation packages may include or subsidise government fees; address renewals, accounting and the annual Confirmation Statement need separate checks.
How Much Does Company Registration Cost in the UK in 2026?
The standard Companies House registration fee is £ 100 for online company incorporation. The certificate of incorporation confirms that the new company legally exists.
Registration route | Government fee | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Standard online or software application | £ 100 | Usually within 24 hours for direct online applications |
| Postal application | £ 124 | 8–10 days |
| Same-day software application | £ 156 | Same day, subject to service conditions |
Community Interest Company registration costs £ 115 digitally or £ 139 on paper. These budgets cover a standard private limited company, not an unlimited company, Scottish limited partnership, private fund LP, or overseas entity registering as a UK establishment.
The filing fee is only part of the budget. Osome’s company registration services help with formation, while connected accounting supports later spending reviews through Model Context Protocol (MCP).
What Other Costs Come With Company Registration?
Other costs can include formation support, address services, accounting, software and bank charges. The typical cost ranges below exclude applicable VAT.
Service | Estimated cost | Charging period | Scope and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company formation agent | £ 100–150 | One-off | Government fee and handling included; confirm share structure, ownership and significant control checks. |
| Accountant-led incorporation | £ 200–300 | One-off | Government fee and simple setup included; accounting and complex work extra |
| Registered office address service | £ 40–100 | Annual, if purchased | Public physical address in the correct UK jurisdiction; mail forwarding can add an extra cost. |
| Director’s service address | £ 0 extra if bundled | Same term as the address package | Confirm director mail cover and home-address privacy |
| Accountancy fees | £ 600–1,200 | Per reporting year | Annual accounts and Corporation Tax return; VAT registration and other work extra |
| Accounting software | £ 20–40 | Monthly | Check existing cover; accounts and tax-filing features may cost extra |
| Identity verification | £ 0 through GOV.UK | At verification; further checks may apply | Authorised agents may charge |
| Business bank account | £ 0 on some entry plans | Monthly; transaction fees per use | Transaction and international payment charges may apply |
| First-cycle subtotal, formation agent | £ 740–1,450 | First reporting cycle | Registration, one-year address service, basic accounts and tax |
| First-cycle subtotal, accountant-led incorporation | £ 840–1,600 | First reporting cycle | Registration, one-year address service, basic accounts and tax |
These are alternative subtotals, including the £ 100 digital incorporation fee once. A private limited company does not have to appoint a company secretary. A UK company with overseas directors is not an overseas company, and those directors do not need a UK resident director solely because they are non-residents.
First-Year Budget for a Limited Company
Budget £ 800–1,500 for setting up a limited company with basic registration services, a purchased address and accounting support. This covers the first reporting cycle; the total depends on the formation package and annual services included.
Item | Self-managed setup with an existing address | Purchased address and basic accounting support |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration, including the government fee | £ 100 | £ 100–150 |
| Registered office, one year | £ 0 additional | £ 40–100 |
| Basic accounting and tax, first reporting cycle | Self-managed; professional advice additional | £ 600–1,200 |
| Accounting software, one year | £ 240–480 for a paid plan | Included in the accounting package in this scenario |
| First digital Confirmation Statement | £ 50 | £ 50 |
| Planning total | £ 400–650 with paid software; advice and tax-filing add-ons extra | £ 800–1,500 |
Totals exclude VAT on commercial services, corporation tax payable and operating costs. The self-managed budget includes £ 150 in registration fees and a paid software plan; free software can reduce it.
Share capital, bank deposits and refundable deposits are company funds, not service fees. Keep them outside the registration expense total. Industry licences, insurance and immigration work also need separate budgets where applicable.
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How Can Founders Reduce Company Registration Costs?
Many founders can reduce costs by choosing only the services needed and avoiding duplicate purchases. Basic incorporation packages generally cover company formation and digital documents, while more comprehensive options may include a registered office address and annual compliance support.
Saving opportunity | Cost or potential saving | Action and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a standard incorporation package | From £ 100, including the £ 100 Companies House fee. | Covers registration and digital documents; registered office address and ongoing compliance services may cost extra. |
| Consider a package for growing businesses | From £ 340 + VAT for residents. | Broader packages may include a registered office address, document review and Confirmation Statement support. Check renewal costs and inclusions. |
| Use standard online filing | £ 24 less than paper; £ 56 less than same-day filing. | Use digital filing by default; pay for faster processing only when necessary. |
| Use an existing suitable address | Avoid £ 40–100 per year for a basic address service. | Consider public disclosure implications and ensure reliable receipt of official mail. |
| Keep digital documents | Avoid optional printing, paper copies and courier charges. | Purchase certified or paper copies only when required. |
| Check existing accounting cover | Avoid separate software or filing-service charges. | Confirm which services are already included before ordering add-ons. |
| Compare the full contract cost | Avoid subscriptions outweighing an upfront discount. | Check mandatory extras, minimum terms and renewal charges. |
A home address is a useful saving only when public disclosure and reliable receipt of official mail are acceptable. If privacy matters, keep the paid address and cut unnecessary document packs or overlapping subscriptions instead. Saving on one optional service should not create an address change or missed-mail problem later.
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DIY vs Osome vs Other Company Formation Agents
Registering a company directly through Companies House costs £ 100 in government fees. Osome's company registration packages start at the same advertised price for UK residents, with broader support available through more comprehensive packages. Other formation agents offer different combinations of registration, registered office and ongoing compliance services. Compare the full cost of each option, including recurring fees and any services you may need after incorporation.
Comparison | DIY through Companies House | Osome | Other company formation agents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic registration cost | £ 100 government fee. | Basic package for residents: £ 100, including the government fee. | Typically £ 100–150, including the government fee; prices and inclusions vary. |
| Annual confirmation statement | £ 50 government fee, filed independently. | Check the package inclusions and any applicable service fees. | Usually charged separately, potentially with an additional service fee. |
| Application and documents | Applicant prepares and submits the required company and personal details. | Application preparation, filing and digital incorporation documents. | Application preparation, filing and document services vary by provider. |
| Registered office and annual compliance | Arrange separately if required. | Optional with Basic; included in the relevant broader package. | Filing-only and bundled packages available. Check the scope of ongoing support. |
| Accounting and tax | Managed independently or purchased separately. | Operate plan: from £ 71 + VAT/month, including bookkeeping, software, tax and filings. Grow plan: from £ 137 + VAT/month, adding VAT services and a registered London address. | Accounting services may be available separately or as part of a wider package. Check pricing, software access and the scope of support. |
| Support and company records | Applicant manages filings and maintains company records. | Expert support via chat and digital access to company records. | Support channels and access to company records vary by provider. |
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Summary
The UK company registration cost starts with the Companies House fee. The ongoing costs of setting up a limited company depend on its address and accounting needs.
Whether you register directly or use an agent, compare quotes for the same company, period and services. Check recurring charges before choosing an introductory offer, and keep company funding separate from expenses.
Melody Huang is a content specialist at Osome, focused on producing expert content that supports UK entrepreneurs. She breaks down complex business topics into accessible, step-by-step advice — from setting up a limited company to managing accounts and planning for long-term growth. Melody’s work makes the blog a go-to resource for businesses looking to thrive in the UK.
