Introduction
The Companies House price increase changed the cost of registering a limited company in the UK, making it more important than ever for founders to understand the current Companies House registration cost, what the fee increase means in practice, and whether a company formation service could offer better overall value. Whether you’re launching your first business or incorporating an existing venture, understanding your options can help you reduce unnecessary costs and start your company with confidence.
Whether you’re a first-time founder, freelancer moving from sole trader to limited company, contractor, or growing SME, the cost of incorporation is only one part of the decision. Alongside the official Companies House registration fee, you’ll also need to think about banking, compliance, accounting software, registered office services, and ongoing filing obligations. Understanding the complete picture helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the registration route that best suits your business.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the Companies House fee increase, including why fees changed, the current registration costs, how the increase affects new businesses, and whether registering directly with Companies House or using a company formation service is the better option.
If you’re looking for a simple way to register your company while opening a business bank account at the same time, many founders choose a formation partner such as Tide. Eligible customers can currently register a company for £14.99 and receive up to £200 cashback using the code STARTUP200 (subject to eligibility and current promotional terms).
Register with Tide here: https://companyformationdeals.co.uk/recommends/tide-company-formation
(Use code STARTUP200. Offers and eligibility may change, so always check the latest terms before applying.)
By the end of this guide, you’ll understand what changed following the Companies House price increase, the current incorporation fees, the hidden costs many founders overlook, and how to register your business in the most cost-effective way.
Why You Can Trust This Guide
At Company Formation Deals, we research and compare the UK’s leading company formation providers to help founders make informed decisions when starting a business.
Rather than simply listing prices, we assess the complete cost of forming a company, including official Companies House fees, optional services, business banking offers, ongoing compliance requirements, and promotional incentives available through trusted formation partners.
Because Companies House fees can change over time, this guide has been updated to reflect the current fee structure introduced in 2026. Where promotional offers are mentioned, they are clearly identified and should always be checked directly with the provider before registering.
Our goal is simple: provide accurate, practical information that helps you understand your options and choose the registration route that delivers the best value for your business.
Contents
- What Changed in the 2026 Companies House Price Increase?
- Why Did Companies House Increase Its Fees?
- Current Companies House Registration Fees
- How the Companies House Price Increase Affects New Businesses
- Hidden Costs Beyond Companies House Fees
- Companies House vs Company Formation Services
- How to Choose the Best Registration Route
- Current Tide Company Formation Offer
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recap
- Conclusion
What Changed in the 2026 Companies House Price Increase?
The Companies House price increase introduced in 2026 raised the official fees for a range of company filing services, including incorporating a limited company. The changes form part of wider reforms designed to modernise Companies House, improve the accuracy of the public register, strengthen identity verification, and help tackle economic crime.
For new business owners, the most noticeable change is the increase in the Companies House registration cost when forming a limited company directly through Companies House. Although the increase is relatively modest in isolation, it affects the baseline cost of starting a business and has encouraged many founders to compare alternative registration routes.
The price increase also highlights a common misconception. Many entrepreneurs focus solely on the official incorporation fee, when in reality registering a company often involves several additional costs. Business banking, registered office services, accounting software, confirmation statements, and ongoing compliance all contribute to the total cost of company formation.
As a result, choosing the cheapest registration method isn’t always the most cost-effective decision. Many founders now compare the official Companies House route with company formation providers that bundle additional services together, sometimes reducing overall startup costs through introductory offers and banking incentives.
Understanding these wider costs is just as important as understanding the fee increase itself.
Why Did Companies House Increase Its Fees?
The 2026 fee changes were introduced to help fund significant reforms to Companies House and improve the integrity of the UK’s company register.
Over recent years, Companies House has been given greater responsibility for verifying information submitted by businesses, improving the accuracy of company records, and preventing fraudulent activity. These additional responsibilities require investment in technology, staffing, and enhanced compliance processes.
The fee increases help support:
- improved identity verification for directors and people with significant control
- stronger checks on company information submitted to the register
- enhanced protection against fraud and misuse of UK companies
- improvements to digital filing systems and online services
- ongoing modernisation under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency reforms
While no founder welcomes higher registration costs, the objective is to create a more secure and reliable company register that benefits legitimate businesses, lenders, investors, and customers alike.
For most new companies, the increase represents a relatively small proportion of overall startup costs. The more important consideration is choosing a registration method that provides the right balance between cost, convenience, and ongoing support.
Current Companies House Registration Fees
Following the 2026 fee changes, anyone registering a limited company directly through Companies House should expect to pay the current published incorporation fee applicable to their chosen registration method.
However, the official registration fee is only the starting point.
Many founders also require:
- a business bank account
- a registered office address
- director service address protection
- accounting or bookkeeping software
- confirmation statement support
- ongoing company compliance guidance
When these services are purchased separately, the overall cost of company formation can be considerably higher than the official Companies House fee alone.
This is one reason company formation providers continue to grow in popularity. Rather than arranging each service individually, founders can often access bundled packages that combine company registration with banking, compliance tools, and promotional incentives.
For example, eligible founders registering through Tide can currently form a company for £14.99 and receive up to £200 cashback using the STARTUP200 promotional code, subject to the latest eligibility requirements and terms.
When comparing your options, it’s important to look beyond the headline registration fee and consider the overall value you’ll receive during your first year of trading.
Current Companies House Fees
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Online company registration | £100 |
| Confirmation Statement | £50 online / £110 paper |
A full breakdown of companies house pricing can be found here.
How the Companies House Price Increase Affects New Businesses
The Companies House price increase affects every entrepreneur planning to register a limited company, but its impact extends beyond the official incorporation fee. Whether you’re launching your first business, moving from sole trader to limited company, or setting up an additional company, the increase changes the overall cost of getting started and makes careful budgeting even more important.
Although the Companies House registration cost has increased, the fee itself is only one part of the total investment required to launch a business successfully. Most new companies also need a business bank account, accounting software, a registered office address, business insurance, and ongoing compliance support. Looking purely at the headline Companies House fee increase can therefore give a misleading picture of what company formation actually costs.
For first-time founders, the priority should be understanding the complete cost of incorporation rather than focusing solely on the official filing fee. Choosing the cheapest option isn’t always the best value if it means purchasing additional services separately later.
If you’re still deciding whether a limited company is the right structure for your business, our guide to UK Company Formation Explained – Ultimate Guide provides a complete overview of the incorporation process, legal responsibilities and the advantages of trading as a limited company.
For growing businesses, the company registration cost increase should also be viewed as part of a wider investment in credibility. Operating through a limited company often improves your professional image, can make it easier to secure larger contracts, and provides greater flexibility for future growth.
Ultimately, while the Companies House price increase has raised the baseline cost of incorporation, it hasn’t changed the reasons thousands of UK businesses choose to incorporate every year.
Hidden Costs Beyond Companies House Registration Fees
The official Companies House registration cost is often the first figure founders see, but it’s rarely the largest expense associated with starting a limited company.
Many entrepreneurs budget only for the incorporation fee before discovering there are several additional costs involved in becoming fully operational.
These commonly include:
- Business bank account setup
- Registered office address services
- Director service address protection
- Accounting software
- Bookkeeping support
- Corporation Tax registration
- Confirmation Statement filing
- Annual accounts preparation
- Business insurance
- Domain names and professional email addresses
Individually these expenses may appear relatively small, but together they can significantly increase your first-year startup costs. For many businesses, these ongoing costs can exceed the initial Companies House registration fee within the first few months of trading. That’s why it’s important to compare the total cost of company formation rather than focusing solely on the official incorporation fee. A slightly higher upfront cost can sometimes provide better long-term value if it includes services you would otherwise need to purchase separately.
This is one reason why comparing company formation services has become increasingly important following the Companies House fee increase. Some providers include additional services within their packages, helping founders avoid purchasing everything separately.
It’s also worth considering the hidden cost of mistakes.
Incorrect director information, unsuitable SIC codes, errors in your Articles of Association, or an unavailable company name can delay incorporation and create unnecessary administration. While Companies House aims to process applications quickly, rejected submissions can slow down your launch and postpone opening your business bank account or signing commercial contracts.
Rather than looking purely at the official Companies House price increase, founders should consider the overall cost of becoming fully operational.
Our guide to the Benefits of Company Formation for Small Businesses explains why many businesses recover these setup costs quickly through improved credibility, limited liability protection and greater opportunities for growth.
Companies House vs Company Formation Services
Following the Companies House price increase, more entrepreneurs are comparing the cost of registering directly with Companies House against using a specialist company formation provider.
Both routes ultimately create the same legal entity, but the overall experience can be very different.
Registering directly with Companies House
Registering directly means completing the incorporation yourself using the official Companies House service.
This option can suit experienced founders who already understand:
- Company structures
- Share allocations
- Director responsibilities
- Registered office requirements
- SIC codes
- Ongoing compliance obligations
You’ll pay the official Companies House registration cost and arrange everything else independently. For some businesses, that’s perfectly suitable. However, first-time founders often underestimate the number of decisions involved during incorporation.
Using a company formation service
A company formation provider simplifies much of the process by guiding you through each stage of registration.
Depending on the provider, this may include:
- Company registration
- Business bank account introduction
- Registered office services
- Digital incorporation documents
- Ongoing compliance reminders
- Customer support
Following the Companies House fee increase, many founders now compare the total value offered by formation providers rather than looking solely at the official registration fee.
For example, Tide’s company formation service allows eligible founders to register a company for £14.99 while potentially receiving up to £200 cashback using the STARTUP200 promotional code, subject to eligibility and current promotional terms.
If you’re comparing different providers, our detailed guides may also help:
- Best Company Formation Services
- Compare Company Formation Agents
- Best Priced Company Formation Services
- Tide Company Formation Review
These comparisons explain the differences in pricing, support, banking offers, turnaround times and overall value, helping you choose the registration route that’s most appropriate for your business.
How to Choose the Best Registration Route
There isn’t a single “best” way to register a company.
The right choice depends on your experience, confidence and the level of support you want throughout the incorporation process.
Direct registration with Companies House may suit you if:
- You’ve incorporated companies before.
- You’re comfortable managing compliance yourself.
- You only require basic registration.
A company formation service may be the better option if:
- This is your first limited company.
- You want to minimise administration.
- You need a business bank account immediately.
- You value guided support.
- You want bundled services rather than sourcing everything individually.
The Companies House price increase has encouraged more founders to compare overall value rather than simply chasing the lowest registration fee.
When comparing providers, don’t focus solely on the incorporation cost.
Instead, consider:
- What’s included?
- Are there hidden charges?
- Is banking included?
- What ongoing support is available?
- Are there promotional offers?
- Will the package save time and reduce administration?
Choosing the right registration route can make your first year in business significantly easier.
Before making your decision, it’s also worth reading our guide on How to Register a Limited Company in the UK, which explains the incorporation process in more detail and helps you understand exactly what happens after your application has been approved.
Current Tide Company Formation Offer
Following the Companies House price increase, many founders are exploring whether using a company formation service offers better overall value than registering directly with Companies House. While the official Companies House registration cost is fixed, formation providers often combine incorporation with additional services that many businesses need anyway, such as a business bank account, digital company documents, or ongoing compliance support.
One option that has become increasingly popular with startups is Tide’s company formation service. Rather than completing the incorporation process separately and then arranging business banking afterwards, Tide combines both into a single application. For many first-time founders, this reduces administration and makes the registration process considerably simpler.
At the time of writing, eligible customers can register a limited company through Tide for £14.99 and receive up to £200 cashback by using the promotional code STARTUP200. As with any promotional offer, eligibility criteria apply and the terms may change, so it’s always worth reviewing the latest offer before proceeding.
The promotion is designed for founders who intend to use their new business account rather than simply register a company. To qualify for the cashback, applicants must meet Tide’s eligibility requirements, including opening and actively using their account within the required timescales. Because these promotions can change throughout the year, we recommend checking the current terms before relying on the advertised cashback amount as part of your startup budget.
It’s also important to remember that promotions like this do not reduce the official Companies House fee. Instead, they can reduce your overall startup costs by providing financial incentives once you’ve successfully incorporated and begun trading. For many new businesses, particularly those already planning to open a business account, this can represent better overall value than registering directly with Companies House and sourcing additional services separately.
If you’re still deciding whether Tide is the right option, we recommend reading our in-depth Tide Company Formation Review, where we compare pricing, features, eligibility requirements, customer experience, and the overall value of the current promotion. You may also find our guides to Compare Company Formation Agents and Best Company Formation Services helpful if you’d like to compare Tide with other leading UK formation providers before making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Companies House price increase affect existing companies?
No. The Companies House price increase primarily affects new company incorporations and certain Companies House filing services. Existing companies don’t pay a higher incorporation fee because they’ve already been registered. However, some other Companies House filing fees also increased as part of the wider fee review, so it’s worth checking the latest Companies House guidance if your business needs to submit charge registrations, voluntary strike-off applications, or other statutory filings.
What is the current Companies House registration cost?
The Companies House registration cost depends on the method you use to incorporate your business and reflects the revised fee structure introduced in 2026. The official fee covers only the legal incorporation of your company. It doesn’t include services such as a registered office address, business banking, bookkeeping software, or ongoing compliance support, which many founders also require.
Why did Companies House increase its fees?
The Companies House fee increase forms part of wider reforms designed to improve the accuracy of the UK company register, strengthen identity verification, tackle fraudulent activity, and modernise Companies House’s digital services. The additional revenue helps fund these improvements while supporting the increased regulatory responsibilities introduced through recent company law reforms.
Can I avoid paying the Companies House fee increase?
No. Since the fee changes have already taken effect, anyone registering a company today will pay the current Companies House fees. While you can’t avoid the official Companies House price increase, you can compare different company formation providers to determine whether bundled services or promotional offers provide better overall value than registering directly.
Is it cheaper to register directly with Companies House?
Not necessarily. Registering directly means you only pay the official incorporation fee initially, but many founders later purchase additional services such as business banking, registered office addresses, accounting software, or compliance support. When these costs are considered together, a company formation provider can sometimes represent better value overall, depending on the package you choose.
Is using a company formation service safe?
Yes. Reputable company formation agents register your business through Companies House in exactly the same way as a direct application. The difference is that they simplify the process, provide additional guidance, and often include services that new businesses need after incorporation. Our guide to Compare Company Formation Agents explains what to look for when choosing a provider.
Should I form a limited company or remain a sole trader?
That depends on your circumstances, income, future plans, and appetite for administration. Many businesses incorporate because they want limited liability protection, increased credibility, or improved tax planning opportunities. If you’re unsure, our guides to Benefits of Company Formation for Small Businesses and UK Company Formation Explained explore the advantages and potential drawbacks in much greater detail.
What happens after my company is registered?
Once your company has been incorporated, you’ll receive a Certificate of Incorporation and company number before moving on to your ongoing legal responsibilities. These include maintaining company records, filing annual accounts, submitting a Confirmation Statement, and meeting your tax obligations with HMRC. Registering your company is only the beginning, which is why choosing the right formation route and support can make your first year in business much easier.
Does the Companies House price increase affect company formation agents?
No. Company formation agents still submit registrations through Companies House, so the official incorporation fee applies regardless of how you register. However, formation providers may include additional services, discounts or promotional offers that reduce your overall startup costs, which is why it’s worth comparing the total value of each package rather than focusing solely on the Companies House registration fee.
Recap:
The Companies House price increase has permanently changed the cost of registering a limited company in the UK, but it shouldn’t discourage entrepreneurs from starting a business. For most founders, the official Companies House registration cost represents only a small proportion of the overall investment required to launch and grow a successful company.
Throughout this guide, we’ve explained what changed following the Companies House fee increase, why the fees were introduced, and how they affect anyone planning to incorporate today. We’ve also explored the wider costs associated with company formation, including business banking, registered office services, accounting software and ongoing compliance obligations. If you’re new to incorporation, our guide on How to Register a Limited Company in the UK explains each stage of the registration process in more detail.
One of the biggest takeaways is that the cheapest registration option isn’t always the most cost-effective. While registering directly with Companies House remains a perfectly valid choice, many entrepreneurs prefer using a company formation provider that combines incorporation with additional services they would otherwise need to arrange separately. Depending on your circumstances, bundled services and promotional offers may provide better overall value than paying only the official registration fee and sourcing everything else independently.
If you’re still deciding which route is right for you, we recommend exploring our Best Company Formation Services, Compare Company Formation Agents, and How to Register a Limited Company in the UK guides. Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the different registration options available, helping you choose the solution that best fits your business, budget and long-term goals.
Conclusion:
Although the Companies House price increase has increased the cost of incorporation, it hasn’t changed the advantages of operating through a limited company. For many UK entrepreneurs, incorporation continues to offer greater credibility, limited liability protection, improved growth opportunities and a more professional image when dealing with customers, suppliers and lenders.
Rather than focusing solely on the official Companies House registration cost, it’s worth considering the complete company formation journey. Choosing the right registration method can save valuable time, reduce administration, minimise costly mistakes and provide access to services that support your business long after incorporation has been completed.
Ultimately, the Companies House price increase shouldn’t prevent you from incorporating your business. The additional registration cost is relatively small when compared with the long-term benefits of trading through a limited company, including limited liability, increased credibility and greater opportunities for growth.
Whether you choose to register directly with Companies House or use a specialist formation provider, the most important decision is selecting the option that best supports your business objectives. Taking a little extra time to compare providers, understand the services included and calculate the total cost of incorporation will usually deliver far greater value than concentrating solely on the headline registration fee.
For founders looking for a straightforward registration process that combines company formation with business banking, Tide remains one of the most popular options available. Eligible customers can currently register a company for £14.99 and receive up to £200 cashback using the STARTUP200 promotional code, subject to the latest eligibility criteria and promotional terms.
If you’d like to compare the current offer in more detail before registering, read our comprehensive Tide Company Formation Review, where we explain exactly what’s included, who qualifies for the promotion and how Tide compares with other leading UK company formation providers.
If you’re ready to start your business, you can also register directly through our Tide partner link below.
Register with Tide: https://companyformationdeals.co.uk/recommends/tide-company-formation/
Use promotional code STARTUP200 where applicable. Offers, cashback amounts and eligibility requirements are subject to change, so always check the latest terms before applying.
* Tide offer terms and conditions: Use the code STARTUP200 when you register your business and open your Tide account. Spend £100 on your Tide card within 30 days to unlock your £75 cashback reward. In addition, if you deposit at least £5,000 into your Tide Instant Saver Account within 7 days of opening (and keep it there for one month), you’ll qualify for the additional £125 Tide Instant Saver offer.
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