How Much Does Incorporation of a Company Cost in the UK?

Starting a business in the UK often begins with one key question: how much does it actually cost to incorporate a company, and what should you budget for beyond the basics?

In this guide, we've broken down the total cost of incorporating a company in the UK, including mandatory fees, optional extras, and ongoing expenses, so you can plan with clarity and avoid unexpected costs.

We've also explained how Wise Business can help you manage payments and finances as you set up and run your company.

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Summary of costs

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The cost to register a limited company: A full breakdown

The total cost of incorporation includes a mandatory government fee and any optional service costs. As of 1 February 2026, Companies House fees are as follows.¹

The mandatory Companies House fee

The standard online fee to incorporate a limited company is £100.¹

A same-day online service costs £156, while postal applications cost £124 and typically take longer to process.¹

Method 1: The DIY approach

Registering directly through Companies House is usually the lowest-cost option.

You’ll need details such as your company name, registered address, directors and shareholders, and SIC code.⁶ Once submitted, you pay the £100 fee.

Method 2: Using a company formation agent

Formation agents handle the registration process on your behalf.⁷

Fees typically range from £1.99 to £39.99 or more depending on the package and services included.⁸ Some packages may include additional features such as registered address services or compliance support.

Comparing the costs: DIY vs. agent

Beyond the registration fee: Other costs to consider

Registered office address services

A registered office address is required for all UK companies and appears on the public register.²

If you prefer not to use your home address, address services are available, typically costing between £26 and £39 annually.²

Some providers also bundle extras like mail forwarding, scanning, or director service addresses, which can increase the total yearly cost but offer added privacy and convenience.

Ongoing annual costs

Limited companies must file a Confirmation Statement each year, costing £50 when submitted online.¹

You’ll also need to file annual accounts and a Company Tax Return. While submitting these yourself is possible, many businesses choose paid tools or professional support to avoid errors or penalties.

Other recurring costs may include bookkeeping software subscriptions, payroll services (if you hire staff), and insurance such as professional indemnity or public liability cover.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited, its subsidiaries or affiliates. It should not be treated as advice from, or a communication with, HMRC, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining business advice from a tax advisor or any other professional.

Accountant fees

While not required to register a company, accountants can help with tax planning and compliance.⁹

Fees vary widely depending on business complexity, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per year.⁹

For example, a simple micro-business may only need basic annual accounts and tax filing, while a growing company might require VAT returns, payroll management, and strategic financial advice—all of which increase costs.

Simplify your business finances with Wise

Managing setup costs and ongoing expenses is a key part of incorporating and running a company and this becomes easier with a dedicated business account. That's where Wise Business comes into the picture.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 70+ countries and pay overseas invoices at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation. See full cashback terms and conditions
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn variable returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Rates vary by country and currency. Rates are variable. Visit Wise Interest to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

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Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changed on 26/11/2025. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to register a company in the UK?

The lowest-cost option is registering directly with Companies House online for £100.⁶

How much does it cost to register a company name in the UK?

The company name registration is included in the incorporation fee, which is £100 for standard online registration.⁵

How do you register a company in the UK?

Incorporating a company means registering it with Companies House so it can legally operate in the UK.

The main UK business types are:

• Sole trader: You are the business. Registration with HMRC for Self Assessment is typically free.⁴
• Partnership: Two or more people run a business and register with HMRC.
• Limited company: A separate legal entity from its owners, which can limit personal liability.⁵

Registering as a sole trader or partnership is relatively straightforward. Setting up a limited company involves additional steps with Companies House, which is why some founders choose to use an agent for support.

Do I need a business account after incorporation?

After incorporation, many businesses choose to open a dedicated account to manage company finances separately from personal funds.³

Traditional providers may charge monthly fees and have varying onboarding times. Alternatives like Wise Business offer an online setup and the ability to manage money in multiple currencies.

Sources:

Sources last checked on 23 April 2026