UK Company Formation Cost in 2026 and 2027: Complete Fee Breakdown
Forming a UK limited company is still one of the fastest and most affordable ways to set up a business anywhere in the world. But the numbers changed in 2026. On 1 February 2026, Companies House raised its statutory fees for the first time in years, and that shift affects every founder registering a company from now through 2027. This guide breaks down exactly what it costs to form and run a UK LTD company, from the government fee to package pricing to the ongoing annual charges and banking options you need to budget for.
Companies House Registration Fee (2026 Update)
The government fee to incorporate a UK limited company doubled in 2026. If you register digitally, which is how almost every company is formed today, the fee is now £100, up from £50. A same-day digital registration costs £156, and paper filing costs £124. These are the only fees the government charges to bring your company into existence; everything else on top is either an optional service or an annual compliance cost.
| Filing | Channel | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Company incorporation | Digital (standard) | £100 |
| Company incorporation | Digital (same day) | £156 |
| Company incorporation | Paper | £124 |
| Confirmation statement | Digital | £50 |
| Confirmation statement | Paper | £110 |
| Change of company name (same day) | Digital | £85 |
| Registration of a charge | Digital | £14 |
| Voluntary strike off | Digital | £13 |
| Voluntary strike off | Paper | £18 |
UK Formation Packages
Beyond the government fee, most founders use a formation agent to handle document preparation, registered address, compliance checks, and post-incorporation setup. Our UK formation packages for 2026/27 are structured around what type of business you're running:
| Package | Price | Gov Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK LTD Starter | £130 | + Gov Fee | Incorporation, Certificate, Memorandum & Articles, UTR, ID verification, UK address (1 year), business phone, RDP/VPS (1 month), website & domain |
| UK Amazon Seller | £199 | + Gov Fee | Everything in Starter, plus Amazon Seller Central setup, account verification, accounts assistant, VAT advice, bank account assistance |
| UK Business Premium | £299 | + Gov Fee | Everything in Amazon Seller, plus VAT registration, RDP/VPS (1 year), confirmation statement filing, CT600 & accounts support, priority compliance |
Additional Services and Add-Ons
These can be bundled with formation or added later, and cover the compliance and banking setup most founders need in year one:
| Add-On | Price |
|---|---|
| UK VAT Registration | £100 |
| Confirmation Statement | £50 |
| Corporation Tax Return (CT600) | From £150 |
| UK Payroll Setup | £80 |
| UK Business Address Renewal | £100/year |
| Director Service Address | £50/year |
| US & UK Physical Business Phone Number | From £35 |
Bank and Payment Account Setup
Non-resident founders can open UK-friendly digital business accounts once the company is formed. Setup for each is £50–£70 as an add-on. These fees cover our assistance and business consultation for opening the account only, and exclude any minimum deposit required by the bank or payment provider itself:
| Bank / Payment Provider | Setup Fee |
|---|---|
| Wise Business Account | £50 |
| PayPal Business Account | £50 |
| Airwallex Business Account | £50 |
| Stripe Business Account | £50 |
| WorldFirst Business Account | £50 |
| Tide Business Account (UK) | £70 |
Wise remains one of the most founder-friendly options for non-resident directors, since it's designed for international payments with low conversion fees. Right now, new business accounts opened through our Wise referral link qualify for a free transfer of up to £10,000 GBP, on top of the standard setup support included with our UK packages.
Ongoing Annual Costs to Budget For
Incorporation is a one-time cost, but running a UK company carries recurring obligations. Here's what to plan for after formation:
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Confirmation statement (annual) | £50 digital |
| Registered agent and address renewal | £100/year |
| Director service address | £50/year |
| VAT registration | £100 |
| Corporation Tax return (CT600) and annual accounts | From £150, varies by accountant |
What Changed Between 2025 and 2026
The headline change is the incorporation fee doubling from £50 to £100, and the confirmation statement rising from £34 to £50. These increases are tied to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which is also introducing mandatory identity verification for directors and persons with significant control. Verification is a compliance step, not an additional fee, but it does add time to the registration process, so founders forming a company in 2026 or 2027 should build in a little extra lead time compared to prior years.
Is It Still Worth Forming a UK Company in 2026/27?
Yes. Even with the fee increase, UK incorporation remains inexpensive compared to most jurisdictions, corporation tax sits at 19–25%, registration is typically approved within 24 hours, and the UK's banking, marketplace, and payment processor ecosystem still makes it one of the easiest places for non-resident founders to get set up quickly.
If you're ready to register a UK limited company, see our UK formation packages, check our full pricing plans, or get in touch with our team. You can also learn more about Biz E-Formations and how we support founders across the UK, US, UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada.
