If you’re planning UK company formation, one of the first questions is always the same:

How much does it really cost in 2026?

The short answer: anywhere from £12 to £1,000+, depending on whether you register yourself or use managed services — and whether you also need help opening a business bank account.

This guide breaks down every realistic cost so you can budget properly and avoid surprises.

Core government fee (the unavoidable cost)

All UK limited companies are registered through Companies House.

As of 2026, the official fees are:

• £12 — online application
  
  

• £40 — same-day incorporation (business hours only)
  
  

• £71 — postal filing
  
  

If you’re comfortable handling the process yourself, this can be your entire formation cost.

Most founders, however, add services on top.

DIY vs managed formation: what changes the price?

DIY company formation (approx. £12–£50)

Best if you’re UK-based and your setup is simple.

Typical costs:

• Companies House filing: £12
  
  

• Optional registered office address: £20–£60/year
  
  

Total: usually under £100

Downside: you manage everything — including banking applications.

Please watch the video given below to learn more:

Managed company formation (approx. £100–£500+)

Formation providers bundle services such as:

• Company registration
  
  

• Registered office address
  
  

• Director service address
  
  

• Document handling
  
  

• Banking assistance
  
  

Prices vary depending on features and support level.

This route is popular with:

• First-time founders
  
  

• Busy entrepreneurs
  
  

• Non-UK residents
  
  

Because it reduces admin and speeds up onboarding.

Business bank account costs (often overlooked)

Opening a UK business bank account is usually free, but monthly fees may apply after any promotional period.

Fintech providers like Tide and Wise often offer:

• £0–£10/month starter plans
  
  

• Fast online onboarding
  
  

• Low international transfer fees (Wise especially)
  
  

High-street banks may offer free periods (6–18 months), followed by standard monthly charges.

Important:

Non-resident founders may face extra compliance checks and higher service fees with specialist providers.

Identity verification (new in 2026 — usually free)

Directors and Persons of Significant Control must now verify their identity via GOV.UK.

Doing this yourself costs nothing.

Some agents charge £20–£50 to manage this step for you.

Skipping identity verification is the most common reason company formations stall.

Optional add-ons that increase total cost

These aren’t mandatory, but many businesses choose them:

• VAT registration: £50–£150
  
  

• Confirmation statement filing: £30–£100/year
  
  

• Accounting packages: £50–£150/month
  
  

• Nominee or compliance services (if applicable): varies widely
  
  

These don’t affect incorporation directly — but they do impact your first-year budget.

Typical real-world budgets (2026)

Here’s what most founders actually spend:

UK resident, simple setup

• Formation + address + fintech bank
  👉 £50–£150 total
  
  

UK resident, managed service

• Formation bundle + banking support
  👉 £150–£400
  
  

Non-resident founder

• Formation + compliance + banking assistance
  👉 £300–£1,000+
  
  

The difference is almost always compliance and banking complexity.

How this connects to company formation with bank account

If your goal is company formation UK with bank account, costs usually increase slightly — but approval chances rise dramatically.

Bundled services often save time, reduce rejections, and simplify document handling.

If you’d like the full step-by-step process (not just costs), see our main guide:

👉 Company Formation UK With Bank Account (2026 Complete Guide)

Final takeaway

UK company formation itself is inexpensive.

What changes the price is:

• How much support you need
  
  

• Whether you’re UK-based or overseas
  
  

• How complex your banking requirements are
  
  

If your setup is simple, you can launch for under £100.

If you’re international or want everything handled for you, budget a few hundred pounds—and consider it an investment in speed and compliance.

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