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

What does Companies House charge to register a company?

Online registration costs £100. It doubled from £50 on 1 February 2026. Same-day registration costs £156, and a paper application costs £124. Companies House is the UK's official register of companies, and it charges no further fee once the company exists, apart from the yearly confirmation statement.

What else do you pay for to get set up?

Every UK company needs a registered office address in the UK. It must be an address where post can be delivered and handled, not a PO box, so overseas companies normally pay a provider for one. The company also needs a registered email address for Companies House.

On top of that, most overseas businesses pay for professional help with formation, identity checks for overseas directors, opening a UK bank account and registering with HMRC, the UK tax authority. HMRC charges nothing to register for Corporation Tax, VAT or payroll.

What are the yearly running costs?

Every UK company files a confirmation statement each year, which costs £50 online. It must also file annual accounts at Companies House and a Corporation Tax return with HMRC. There is no fee to file either, but most companies pay an accountant to prepare them.

If you trade or employ staff, add bookkeeping, VAT returns and monthly payroll. Late accounts bring automatic penalties, so deadlines matter from year one.

Is it cheaper to register a branch instead?

Not by much. Registering a UK establishment of an overseas company, usually called a branch, costs £124 on paper. The overseas company then pays £110 each year when it files accounts at Companies House, and these are often the parent company's own accounts. A branch also leaves the parent directly liable for UK debts and claims, which is a bigger cost than any fee. See the disadvantages of a UK branch.

What should an overseas company budget for year one?

Plan in three layers: registration fees, which are small; setup costs for professional help, a registered office and banking; and running costs for accounts, tax returns, VAT and payroll. The running costs are the largest part, so price them before you register.