How much does it cost to register a company in the UK? (2026 guide)

What’s included in the Companies House registration fee

When you register directly with Companies House, the fee covers:

• Legal incorporation of your limited company

• A Certificate of Incorporation

• A unique company number

Once registered, your company is officially recognised and can begin trading.

What’s not included 

Registering directly with Companies House is a DIY process. The registration fee does not include:

• A registered office address or director service address

• A business bank account

• Help choosing SIC codes or setting up company details

• Ongoing compliance support or filing reminders

Any additional services need to be arranged (and paid for) separately. 

This route tends to suit founders who are happy to manage the setup themselves and have a relatively simple company structure. It can work well if you’re focused on keeping upfront costs low and don’t need extra support or services at the registration stage. 

However, bear in mind that you’ll still need to budget for any additional services that aren’t included (we’ll outline those later in this guide). 

How much does it cost to register a company using a formation agent?

A formation agent registers your limited company on your behalf, taking care of the associated admin and often bundling in additional products and services. 

In many cases, using a formation agent can work out cheaper overall than registering directly with Companies House, especially when you consider the cost of additional services that you’d otherwise be paying on top. 

Typical cost of registering via a formation agent

Company formation agents typically charge between £10 and £50 for standard company registration. 

While pricing varies depending on what’s included, formation agents often cover most or all of the official incorporation fee as part of their package, meaning it is usually cheaper than registering with Companies House directly.

With Tide’s company registration service, for example, registration costs just £14.99. That covers most of the Companies House registration fee and includes a free business bank account. 

What’s included

A basic formation agent package usually includes:

• Company registration handled on your behalf

• Online submission of incorporation documents

• Digital copies of your Certificate of Incorporation and company details

Many agents also provide guidance during setup, helping you avoid common mistakes around company details and registration information.

Depending on the provider, you may also be able to add:

• A registered office address or virtual office address

• A director service address to keep your home address private

• A business bank account opened at the same time as registration

• Reminders or support for ongoing compliance tasks

These services are optional, but they can simplify the setup process, especially for first-time founders.

This tends to be the preferred route for founders who want a straightforward setup without having to manage every step themselves. It can also make budgeting easier, as key services are arranged at the point of registration rather than added later.

If you want a step-by-step walkthrough of the process, our guide on how to set up a limited company covers each stage in more detail.

How much does it cost to register via an accountant or solicitor? 

Some founders choose to register their limited company through an accountant or solicitor, especially if they already have a professional adviser in place or expect their setup to be more complex.

Typical cost

Registering a company through an accountant or solicitor is usually more expensive than using a formation agent or registering directly with Companies House. Costs often start at £100 and can run into several hundred pounds, depending on the provider and level of support involved.

In many cases, accountants do not register companies themselves. Instead, they outsource the incorporation to a formation agent and add their own fee on top.

What’s included 

What you receive varies widely, but may include:

• Company registration handled on your behalf

• Basic advice on company structure or tax considerations

• Initial onboarding into accounting or legal services

Some accountants may include company registration at a reduced cost or even for free if you commit to ongoing accounting services.

Why this option tends to cost more

The higher price typically reflects professional time and advice, rather than the registration itself. While this can be valuable in certain situations, it often means you’re paying significantly more for a setup that’s otherwise quite standard.

This route is most commonly chosen by founders with more complex requirements, or by those who already plan to work closely with an accountant or solicitor from day one. For simple limited company setups, it’s often the most expensive way to register without offering much extra value at the incorporation stage.

Formation agents vs DIY: which option is actually cheaper?

Many formation agents offer highly competitive pricing, which means it often works out cheaper than registering directly with Companies House. 

Consider a formation agent like Tide, which covers the registration process and Companies House fee for just £14.99, compared to going directly with Companies House which will cost you £100 in registration alone.

At the same time, formation agents often bundle in additional products and services, which can make it a more cost-effective option in the long run. 

That’s why many first-time founders and international business owners choose this route. It simplifies the setup process, makes costs easier to predict, and reduces the risk of delays or errors during registration.

Additional costs to factor in after company registration

Registering your company is just the first step. Once you’ve paid the initial registration fee, there are several additional costs to factor in. Some are mandatory, while others are optional but can prove essential for running your business smoothly and staying compliant.

Important note: For each additional expense, we’ve included an approximate cost estimate where possible. These figures are intended as a general guide only — actual costs can vary considerably depending on the provider, location and level of service.

Registered office and / or director service address (£20 to £60 per year)

Every limited company must have a registered office address. This address appears on the public register and is where official correspondence is sent. Directors must also provide a service address, which can be the same as the registered office address if you’re happy for it to be public.

If you run your business from home, you may prefer to use a virtual or registered office address to keep your personal address private. This typically costs around £20 to £60 per year, depending on the provider and location.

When you register your company with Tide, you can select a virtual office address during the registration process and set everything up in one go. You can also choose between monthly or yearly payments for maximum flexibility. 

Annual confirmation statement (£50-£110 per year)

Every limited company must file an annual confirmation statement to confirm that all company details are up to date.

The filing fee is:

• £50 per year if you file online with Companies House

• £110 per year if you file by post

This fee applies regardless of how you originally registered your company and must be paid each year to keep your company active on the register.

For a more straightforward, time- and cost-effective filing process, you can also file your confirmation statement directly through Tide for £60 + VAT. This covers both the Companies House fee and the filing process, helping you stay compliant without needing an accountant or additional software.

Business bank account

If you’re running a limited company, you must keep personal and company finances separate. In practice, this requires a dedicated business bank account to ensure accurate accounting and proper tax reporting in line with UK law. 

Some formation agents enable you to open a business bank account at the same time as registering your company. Many digital accounts are free to open, though some providers charge a monthly fee. 

Accounting software and compliance tools (£10 to £30 per month)

Most limited companies use accounting software to manage invoices, expenses and tax reporting. Costs typically range from £10 to £30 per month, depending on the software and level of functionality.

Depending on your setup, you may also need tools to help with ongoing compliance tasks, such as filing your tax returns. With a Tide business account, you can upgrade for access to smart accounting software directly from your banking app —  no need for separate tools. 

Website, domain name and hosting (from £10 per year, plus monthly or yearly hosting costs)

If you plan to trade online or promote your business digitally, you’ll need to budget for a domain name and website hosting. Domain names cost around £10 to £20 per year, while basic website hosting typically starts from around £5 to £15 per month, depending on the provider and features included.

Overall website costs vary depending on whether you use a simple DIY setup or invest in a more bespoke site. Tools like Tide BeOnline bundle your website, domain, hosting and business email in one place, offering a simple, low-cost way to get online quickly without managing multiple providers.

Business insurance (around £5 to £15 per month)

Many limited companies take out business insurance to protect against common risks. Costs vary by industry, but basic cover often starts from around £5 to £15 per month.

In some cases, certain types of insurance may be required by law, depending on the nature of your business or whether you employ staff.

If you want to arrange cover quickly, Tide’s small business insurance lets you explore flexible, stand-alone or packaged policies designed for small businesses, with quotes available directly in-app once you have a Tide account.

How much should you budget overall for company registration? 

To help you budget realistically, here’s a simple framework you can use to estimate how much it may cost to register and set up your limited company.

Not every cost will apply to every business, but it’s important to plan ahead and factor in additional expenses from the start.

Step 1: Estimate your registration costs

Start with the cost of registering the company itself. This will depend on the route you choose:

• Registering directly with Companies House: from £100

• Using a company formation agent: typically £10–£50

• Registering via an accountant or solicitor: often £100+, depending on the level of support

This gives you your initial baseline cost.

Step 2: Add common setup-stage costs

Next, consider additional products and services you’ll likely need at the time of registration or shortly after:

• Registered office and / or director service address: around £20–£60 per year

• Business bank account: often free to open, though some accounts charge a monthly fee

• Accounting software: typically £10–£30 per month

• Website and domain: domains cost about £10–£20 per year, with hosting and website costs varying depending on complexity

Step 3: Factor in ongoing annual costs

Finally, make sure you allow for costs that recur each year:

• Annual confirmation statement: £50 per year if filed online, or £110 by post

• Accounting or bookkeeping support: varies widely depending on whether you use software or outsource to an expert. If you plan to pay yourself or employ staff, you’ll also need to consider payroll software. Tide Payroll allows you to run HMRC-recognised payroll directly from your Tide account, with a free one-month trial and a low monthly fee thereafter.

• Business insurance: often starts from around £5–£15 per month, depending on your industry

This checklist should give you a realistic starting point for budgeting. Once you know which route you plan to take and which services you’ll need, you can refine these estimates and build a clearer picture of your total costs.

Wrapping up

The cost of registering a company in the UK starts at £100 if you incorporate directly with Companies House using their standard online service. However, the total cost ultimately depends on how you register and whether you factor in additional costs beyond incorporation itself.

In many cases, it can work out cheaper to register with a formation agent — especially if you take advantage of add-ons such as a registered office or a business bank account.  

At a minimum, most founders should expect to budget:

• £10–£50 for company registration when using a formation agent

• £100 if registering directly with Companies House

• £100+ if registering with a solicitor or accountant

• Additional setup and ongoing costs on top, such as addresses, software and annual filings

The right option depends on how much support you want during setup, how quickly you need your company registered, and which services you plan to arrange at the same time.

If you register a limited company with Tide, most of the incorporation fee is covered, and you can open a free business bank account at the same time. This allows you to get set up quickly while keeping costs predictable from the start.

Ultimately, the cheapest option on paper isn’t always the most cost-effective overall. Take the time to weigh up your options and budget realistically. That way, you can avoid surprises and choose the setup that best fits your business.