If you are about to turn your business into a limited company, the first question is usually the simplest one: how much will this actually cost me? The answer starts with a single official fee, but the true cost to register a limited company includes a handful of extras that most guides quietly leave out.
Here is the full picture for 2026 — the Companies House fee, the hidden costs, and how to keep the total as low as possible.
How much does it cost to register a limited company in 2026?
The cost to register a limited company in 2026 is £100 if you file online directly with Companies House — that fee has applied since 1 February 2026. Paper filing by post costs £124, and same-day registration through approved software costs £156. The £100 fee covers the incorporation itself, your certificate of incorporation and your company number, with nothing else bundled in.
The official Companies House fees
Companies House raised its fees on 1 February 2026, so make sure any guide you read is newer than that date — older articles still quote the old £50 online fee, which no longer applies. Here are the current incorporation fees:
| Filing method | Fee | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Online (Companies House website) | £100 | Usually within 24 hours |
| Paper form IN01 by post | £124 | 8–10 working days |
| Same-day (approved software only) | £156 | Same working day if filed before the cut-off |
Almost everyone files online, so £100 is the figure that matters. Same-day registration is only worth it if a contract or a bank deadline depends on the company existing today. Paper filing is now the most expensive and slowest option — there is rarely a reason to choose it.
What the £100 actually covers
When you pay the fee directly to Companies House, you get the legal essentials and nothing more:
- Legal incorporation of your limited company
- Your certificate of incorporation
- A unique company number
What you do not get is a registered office address, a business bank account, help choosing your SIC codes, or any ongoing compliance support. Companies House also signs most new companies up for Corporation Tax in the same step, and the process sets up a dedicated Government Gateway login for the company. If you want a full walkthrough of each step in the process, our guide to registering a limited company in the UK covers the documents, the company name rules and what happens after you submit.
The extra costs most founders forget
The £100 fee is the headline, but a realistic budget for getting a limited company properly set up looks bigger. Here are the costs that catch people out:
Registered office address — £0 to £200+ a year. Your company needs a real UK address on the public register. Using your home address is free but publishes it for anyone to see, which is why many founders pay for a registered office service (typically £30–£200 a year depending on the provider and city).
Formation agent fees — £0 to £50+. Agents file the same £100 application for you and bundle extras like the registered office, printed documents or a company seal. Worth it if you want everything handled; unnecessary if you are comfortable with the 30-minute online form.
Confirmation statement — £50 a year. Every limited company must file a confirmation statement with Companies House once a year, and the online fee is currently £50. Budget it from day one.
Accountant — £50 to £150+ a month. Not legally required on day one, but most founders end up hiring one for Corporation Tax returns, payroll and VAT. Some accountants include company formation in their onboarding.
Business bank account — usually free. Most UK business accounts have no monthly fee at the basic tier, but some charge £5–£10 a month for extras. Opening one is free either way.
Identity verification — free. Directors and people with significant control must now verify their identity through GOV.UK One Login. It costs nothing but do it before you file, because an unverified director can hold up the application.
Put together, a realistic first-year picture looks like this:
| Item | Typical cost | Optional? |
|---|---|---|
| Companies House online fee | £100 | No |
| Registered office service | £30–£200/yr | Yes (use home address free) |
| Formation agent service fee | £0–£50 | Yes |
| Confirmation statement | £50/yr | No |
| Accountant | £600–£1,800/yr | Yes, but recommended |
| Business bank account | £0–£120/yr | No (free tiers exist) |
DIY vs using a formation agent
Filing yourself costs exactly £100 and takes about 30 minutes if you have your details ready — company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder and share structure, and your articles of association. The online service is built for private companies limited by shares using model articles, which covers the vast majority of new businesses.
A formation agent charges the £100 Companies House fee plus its own service fee, and in return you get the paperwork handled, often a registered office address, and sometimes help with the bank account. The company you end up with is identical either way — the only difference is who does the work and what gets bundled. If your structure is simple and you are happy with forms, save the money and do it yourself. GOV.UK’s official company formation guide walks through the direct route step by step.
How to keep the cost to register a limited company as low as possible
The cheapest legitimate route is straightforward: file online yourself for £100, use your home address as the registered office (free, though it appears on the public register), skip the formation agent, and open a free-tier business bank account. That keeps your total formation cost at exactly £100 plus the £50 annual confirmation statement.
Beyond that, two decisions save real money. First, do your identity verification through GOV.UK One Login before you file — it is free and avoids delays that can push you toward paying for same-day service. Second, hold off on paid extras until you actually need them: many founders buy a registered office service and an accountant on day one out of anxiety, when both can wait until the business starts trading. Spend the £100, get incorporated, and add services as revenue arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free way to register a limited company?
No. There is no genuinely free route in 2026 — Companies House charges a mandatory £100 for standard online incorporation, and whoever files pays it. Be wary of anyone advertising “free” formation; they recover the fee through other charges.
How long does company registration take?
Online applications are usually processed within 24 hours, and many complete within a few working hours. Paper applications take 8–10 working days. Same-day service is available through approved software if you file before the cut-off.
Do I need an accountant to register a company?
No. You can register a company yourself with no professional help. An accountant becomes valuable afterwards for Corporation Tax, payroll, VAT and annual accounts — but the incorporation itself is a DIY-friendly process.
What is the minimum I need to register a limited company?
One director (aged 16 or over), one shareholder (they can be the same person), a UK registered office address, a company name that meets the rules, and details of your shares and articles of association. Identity verification for directors is now also required.
The bottom line
The cost to register a limited company in 2026 starts at £100 and ends there if you file online yourself and use your home address. Most founders spend a little more — a registered office service and the annual confirmation statement are the sensible extras, and an accountant pays for itself once you start trading. Whatever route you choose, file online, verify your identity first, and do not pay for a paper form in 2026.
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