Thinking of starting a company in the UK? Planning to file your next confirmation statement? Companies House, the registrar of UK companies, is soon to increase its filing fees again.
From 1 February 2026, Companies House is introducing a revised set of fees that affect almost every UK business – including a 100% increase in the cost of incorporation. At the same time, the fee to close a company drops dramatically. Whether you’re forming, maintaining, or dissolving a business, it pays to know what’s changing and when to act.
In this article, we clarify the new Companies House fees and the reasons for these changes. We also show how our prices here at Rapid Formations will change as a result.
Key takeaways
- From 1 February 2026, the digital incorporation fee doubles from £50 to £100.
- Filing a confirmation statement online will rise from £34 to £50.
- Closing a company through voluntary strike-off becomes cheaper – £13 instead of £33.
- These fee changes support Companies House reforms, including mandatory identity verification and stronger anti-fraud processes.
Why are Companies House fees changing?
Companies House operates on a cost-recovery model. This means its statutory fees must cover the cost of running the register – including major upgrades to security, digital infrastructure, and governance.
The 2026 fee changes have been introduced to fund the long-term implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), passed in October 2023. The most significant overhauls in decades, the reforms give Companies House more authority to manage bad actors and improve data quality across UK businesses.
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- Companies House identity verification: What to do post-launch
Nicholas Campion, Director and chartered governance professional at Rapid Formations, notes that:
At the heart of these changes is a drive for greater corporate transparency and reliability of information. Companies House wants to know that the people who ultimately run and control a company actually exist.
A more active Companies House
The first stage of delivery for the ECCTA began on 4 March 2024, when the UK government’s public register of companies was granted new policing powers.
The registrar’s role is moving from passive record-keeping to active oversight. As part of this shift, Companies House is now authorised to:
- Query suspicious filings
- Reject inaccurate or non-compliant submissions
- Remove false information more efficiently
- Share data with government and enforcement bodies
These capabilities require new staff, verification systems and monitoring tools, which the 2026 fee changes helps support.
New Companies House fees as of 1 February 2026
From 1 February, three common filings will see the most significant price changes: incorporation, confirmation statements, and voluntary strike-offs.
Incorporation
To form a new limited company or LLP:
| Filing method | Current fee | Fee from 1 Feb 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital | £50 | £100 |
| Same-day digital | £78 | £156 |
| Paper | £71 | £124 |
Confirmation statement
All active companies are required to submit a confirmation statement annually. New fees:
| Filing method | Current fee | Fee from 1 Feb 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital | £34 | £50 |
| Paper | £62 | £110 |
Voluntary strike-off
Closing a company through Form DS01 is getting cheaper:
| Filing method | Current fee | Fee from 1 Feb 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital | £33 | £13 |
| Paper | £44 | £18 |
Other updated fees to be aware of
| Filing | Method | Current | From 1 Feb 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Good Standing | Paper | £15 | £22 |
| Same-day Certificate of Good Standing | Paper | £50 | £65 |
| Remove personal details from register | Paper | £30 | £34 |
| Reduction of capital (solvency statement) | Digital | £33 | £20 |
| Same-day capital reduction (solvency) | Digital | £136 | £89 |
| Administrative restoration | Paper | £468 | £341 |
How the new fees impact business owners
The main impact of the new pricing structure is financial, whereby starting and running a compliant business in the UK is now more expensive.
However, the extent to which your business is affected depends on your plans:
- Starting a company becomes more expensive, especially if you expect to incorporate multiple companies
- Filing an annual confirmation statement is rising by over 45% for digital users and 77% for paper filers
- Dissolving a dormant or inactive company now costs much less, especially online.
Should you file early to save money?
Because the changes take effect on 1 February 2026, there’s a short window to take action before the higher fees apply.
You may wish to file in January 2026 if:
- You’re ready to incorporate and want to secure the £50 fee instead of £100
- A confirmation statement is due and can be submitted early at the £34 rate
- You are considering several company closures and want to delay filing until February to benefit from the lower strike-off fee
The UK is one of the most affordable locations for starting a business
Even with the latest increases, the UK still ranks among the most cost-effective countries to start a business, particularly when filing digitally. Key benefits include:
- Fast online incorporation
- Low ongoing compliance costs (compared to EU/US markets)
- Clear, public company data, which adds business credibility
Across much of the EU, additional costs like certified translations and resident representatives are common. The UK’s simplified digital process and flat fees keep it competitive and accessible for entrepreneurs worldwide.
For example, incorporating in other European countries, such as Germany or Italy, is typically far more expensive. Setting up a German GmbH can cost €4,000–€5,000, excluding share capital, while forming an Italian S.a.s. (Società in accomandita semplice) usually starts from €1,200, depending on legal and notarial requirements.
In short, company registration is often only one part of the total formation cost. The UK’s simplicity, speed and transparency make it an attractive option for both domestic and overseas founders – particularly when setting up remotely or under time constraints.
Rapid Formations’ new prices
The adjusted Companies House fees have also affected the price of Rapid Formations’ packages and services. Our new package prices will include the new Companies House filing fee of £100.00.
Here is a breakdown of the new prices (excluding VAT):
| Service | Current price | New price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Package | £52.99 | £102.99 |
| Privacy Package | £64.99 | £114.99 |
| All Inclusive Package | £89.99 | £139.99 |
| Non-Residents Package | £149.99 | £199.99 |
| Non-Residents Plus Package | £199.99 | £249.99 |
| Limited by Guarantee Package | £64.99 | £114.99 |
| Limited Liability Partnership | £69.99 | £119.99 |
| Wholesale Package | £74.99 | £124.99 |
Staying compliant in 2026
The 2026 fee changes are just part of the bigger regulatory picture. You can also expect:
- Mandatory identity verification for all directors, PSCs, and some filers
- Enhanced checks on names, addresses, and filings
- Increased scrutiny around unusual share structures and company control
These measures are intended to strengthen business trust in the UK. However, they also place more responsibility on directors to stay informed and compliant.
Preparing for changes
The Companies House fee update rolling out on 1 February 2026 marks another major step in the UK’s corporate reform programme.
Whether you’re starting a company, filing an annual confirmation statement, or dissolving one you no longer need, it’s important to factor these cost changes into your plans.
If you’d like support incorporating a company, submitting filings, or staying on top of changing legislation, Rapid Formations is here to help. Explore our company formation packages or speak to one of our team members today.
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Comments (2)
Really ridiculous increases as the amount of work done by Companies House in specific instances has not increased. if I file a Confirmation statement online what is the cost to Companies House? Not even the £13 they charged before. Increases are way above the rate of inflation and just come with more hassle and regulation. Surely they could just have left well alone.
Thank you for your comment, Johnathan. The recent price increases have significantly affected all businesses, causing dissatisfaction among many. Companies House has raised their fees to cover the expenses of their expanded powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. This legislation now mandates more extensive checks on individuals establishing companies and utilising their services.
Kind regards,
The Rapid Formations Team