Companies House introduced a set of statutory Companies House fee changes on 1 February 2026, which matters if you run a limited company, plan to incorporate a start-up, or simply want to keep compliance costs predictable.
For many small business owners, the biggest impact shows up in everyday filings like digital incorporation and the confirmation statement, so it helps to know the updated Companies House fees before you submit anything.
In this guide, we break down what changed, the new prices, and which filings are affected most. You will also see who pays each fee and when it is due, plus a simple plan-ahead checklist so you can budget with confidence, whether you are setting up soon, have a confirmation statement coming up, or are considering a strike off.
What changed on 1 February 2026
What changed on 1 February 2026 is simple in headline terms, but it has a real knock-on effect for start-ups and small limited companies that file the basics themselves. Companies House updated a range of statutory filing fees, so the cost to set up a company, stay compliant each year, and close it down (if you need to) may look different in your 2026 budget.
The headline changes most small companies notice are:
- Digital incorporation now £100
- Digital confirmation statement now £50
- Digital voluntary strike off now £13
In practice, this means a brand-new company that incorporates online and later files its next confirmation statement will pay £150 in Companies House fees (before any accountant or formation-agent costs). On the other hand, if you are planning a tidy close-down, the digital strike-off fee is lower than it used to be.
It is also worth knowing this is not just about the “big two” (incorporation and confirmation statements). Paper filings generally cost more than digital routes, and there are changes across other services too, including same-day options, LLP filings, and a range of event-driven submissions.
Old vs new Companies House fees snapshot
If you just want the numbers, this table covers the filings most UK directors and start-ups deal with. Use it as a quick budget guide before you submit anything, especially if you are incorporating soon or your confirmation statement is due.
| Filing (most common for SMEs) | Channel | Old fee (1 May 2024–31 Jan 2026) | New fee (from 1 Feb 2026) | What this means in practice |
| Incorporation (IN01) | Digital | £50 | £100 | Budget double the Companies House incorporation fee if you are setting up a new limited company |
| Confirmation statement (CS01) | Digital | £34 | £50 | A straightforward annual compliance cost for most active companies |
| Voluntary strike off (DS01) | Digital | £33 | £13 | Cheaper to close a company down (if you meet the strike-off rules) |
| Incorporation (IN01) | Paper | £71 | £124 | Paper filings now carry a much bigger premium |
| Confirmation statement (CS01) | Paper | £62 | £110 | Paper confirmation statements are now more than twice the digital fee |
Notes to keep this useful (and avoid surprises):
- Digital includes online services such as WebFiling and software routes, not just one specific portal.
- The paper premium is not subtle. In most cases, it is a clear nudge towards online filing, so default to digital unless you genuinely must file on paper.
- The “old” fees shown above are the post–May 2024 rates (used up to 31 January 2026). ICAEW’s overview of the 2026 fee rises includes a helpful recap of those May 2024 baseline figures alongside the 2026 uplift, if you want a quick independent reference.
Next, let’s break down what these updated Companies House fees look like in real life, depending on what you’re doing right now: setting up a company, filing your annual confirmation statement, or planning a clean strike-off.
If you also want to plan costs beyond Companies House fees, this 2026–27 UK tax rates and allowances guide for businesses gives a clear overview of the key numbers to factor into your budget.
What it now costs to file the key documents (by scenario)
Now that you have the real-world costs by scenario, the next step is knowing who actually pays each fee and exactly when it is charged, so you can plan cash flow and avoid last-minute surprises.
If you are incorporating a company (start-ups and new ventures)
For most new limited companies, the standard route is digital incorporation, which now costs £100. That is the Companies House incorporation fee for a normal online submission, and it is the figure to use when you are pricing up a launch budget alongside your bank account set-up, insurance, and basic admin tools.
The full schedule sits on the official Companies House fees page, which shows the £100 online/software rate and the higher paper alternative.
Same-day incorporation is still available, but it is designed for genuinely time-sensitive situations. It is now £156 and, importantly, it is listed as software only. That tends to matter when timing is tied to a tender deadline, a funding or banking requirement, or a contract that cannot move forward until the company number exists. If you are not up against a hard deadline, the standard £100 route is usually the sensible choice.
If you are running an existing company (annual compliance basics)
For ongoing compliance, the fee most directors feel each year is the confirmation statement. Digital filing is now £50. The key detail many people miss is what that payment actually covers: Companies House charges it with your first confirmation statement in a 12-month payment period.
In plain terms, you pay when you file your first confirmation statement for that year, and if you file another confirmation statement within the same 12-month period (for example, because you need to update details mid-year), you would not expect to pay the fee again just for re-filing within that window. The official wording appears directly on the Companies House fees list.
If you are closing the company (voluntary strike off)
If the company is no longer trading and you want to dissolve it, the digital voluntary strike off fee is now £13 (and yes, this one decreased).
One quick caution before you file: make sure you have dealt with your obligations first (for example, final accounts and tax positions, closing the business bank account, and any outstanding creditors), so you do not create a bigger problem later.
If you want help choosing the right filing route and keeping deadlines tidy, eAccounts can help. Speak to eAccounts.
Who pays this and when
Companies House fees can feel a bit abstract until you pin down when they actually get charged. Use this as a practical timing guide so you can plan cash flow and avoid surprise payments. For the official fee schedule, see Companies House fees and the list of what changed from 1 February 2026 on Changes to Companies House fees.
Incorporation fees
You will pay the incorporation fee at the point you submit your application (IN01), whether you file online yourself, use software, or ask a formation agent to submit on your behalf. If an agent is involved, they may take payment from you and then pay Companies House as part of the submission, but the cost is still ultimately yours as the founder/director.
If you use an agent package, ask for a clear split between their service fee and the Companies House fee so you know what you are actually paying for.
Confirmation statement fee
You will pay the confirmation statement fee when you file the confirmation statement (CS01). In simple terms, the fee is charged with your first confirmation statement in a 12-month payment period, so you should not expect multiple charges within the same 12 months just because you file again to update details.
The company pays this (usually via the director, admin, or finance person), and the fee still applies even if nothing changed, because the filing requirement still stands. A reminder a month ahead helps you avoid paying and filing in a rush.
Strike-off fee
You will pay the strike-off fee when you submit a voluntary strike off application through the relevant digital route. This is usually paid by the company/directors, often from the company bank account if it is still open.
Before you submit, make sure you have wrapped up key obligations such as final accounts and tax positions and checked for any outstanding creditors so the strike off does not get delayed or challenged.
Digital vs paper
As a rule of thumb, if you can file online, it is usually cheaper and faster. Paper submissions typically cost more and can take longer to process, so use paper only when you have a genuine reason to do so. If you are unsure which route you are using, check whether your method is labelled online, WebFiling, or software before you budget, then confirm the matching rate on the official fees list.
To round this out, it also helps to look at the bigger picture: how these updated fees fit into your year-ahead budget and what simple steps can keep your costs predictable.
Want a simple way to stay on top of deadlines beyond Companies House filings? This limited company year-end accounting checklist for 2026 breaks down what to prep and when, so you can keep everything organised without last-minute stress.
What to budget for going forward (and how to avoid surprises)
For most micro and small limited companies, Companies House costs are predictable once you treat them like a simple annual admin line item rather than an occasional surprise. Start with three buckets.
First, your one-off set-up cost if you are incorporating this year. For most start-ups, that means the digital incorporation fee (now £100), plus any optional formation support if you use an agent. If you need same-day incorporation, plan for the higher fee, but only use it when timing genuinely matters.
Second, your annual “keep it compliant” cost. The key fee here is the confirmation statement, which is now £50 for digital filing. Because it is paid when you file (and is tied to a 12-month payment period), it is easiest to budget it in the month your confirmation statement is due, rather than spreading it vaguely across the year.
Third, set aside a small buffer for event-driven filings. Many companies will not need these every year, but they can pop up when you change your company name, register certain updates, or deal with more complex admin as the business grows.
A few practical ways to avoid last-minute stress: tie your budget to your filing month, keep a simple compliance calendar with reminders, and stay digital-first unless you have a genuine reason to file on paper (paper fees are usually higher and can take longer).
Want a simple plan for deadlines and filings? Use eAccounts to find an accountant near you.
Plan ahead checklist
Incorporating soon and staying on top of key deadlines gets much easier when you treat it like a simple checklist.
- Decide how you will incorporate: Confirm whether you will file yourself or use an agent, then budget £100 for digital incorporation.
- Only pay for speed if you truly need it: If timing matters, check same-day costs and cut-off times before you commit, and budget for same-day only when a deadline depends on it.
- Prep your incorporation folder: Keep the basics ready in one place: registered office address, SIC code, director details, and PSC details, plus your share structure if it is not the standard set-up.
- Find your confirmation statement due date today: Set reminders for 4 weeks before and 1 week before so you do not end up rushing the filing.
- Budget the confirmation statement fee in the right month: Put £50 aside for digital filing so it is ready when the due date window comes around.
- Do a quick “what changed” check before you file: Review officers, PSC details, registered office, and shares so the submission is quicker and cleaner.
- Confirm strike-off eligibility before you do anything else: Make sure the company is no longer trading and that you do not have outstanding agreements you still rely on.
- Budget £13 for digital strike off and plan the close-down tasks: Arrange the practical steps around it, such as closing the business bank account and sorting VAT or PAYE where relevant.
- Document decisions and keep a tidy record trail: Note director decisions properly and store key documents so you can answer questions later without stress.
For a final sense-check, it helps to keep the official fee pages bookmarked so you can confirm the latest figures before you submit anything and avoid second-guessing the cost.
Wrapping up
From 1 February 2026, the three Companies House fees most small businesses will feel are the digital incorporation fee (£100), the digital confirmation statement fee (£50), and the digital voluntary strike off fee (£13). The main takeaway is simple: budget a little more for starting and maintaining a limited company, and stay digital-first wherever possible, because paper routes now come with a much higher premium and can take longer to process. If you want support keeping filings accurate and on time, you can call 02921055592.
FAQs
What are the main Companies House fee changes from 1 February 2026?
The main changes most small companies notice are the digital incorporation fee increasing to £100, the digital confirmation statement fee increasing to £50, and the digital voluntary strike off fee reducing to £13. There were also wider updates across other filings and services, including higher paper fees.
How much is the Companies House incorporation fee now?
Standard digital incorporation now costs £100. Paper incorporation costs more.
How much does the confirmation statement cost and when do you pay it?
The digital confirmation statement fee is now £50. You pay it when you file the confirmation statement, and it is charged with your first confirmation statement in a 12-month payment period, so you would not normally pay again within the same 12 months just because you re-file to update details.
Is it cheaper to file online than on paper?
In most cases, yes. Digital filing is generally cheaper and usually faster, while paper filings typically cost more and can take longer to process.
What does it cost to strike off a company now?
A digital voluntary strike off now costs £13.
