Companies House fee increase from February 2026 – What it means for your business
From 1 February 2026, the cost of using several key services at Companies House will be going up – and in one case going down. Whether you’re running a small limited company or planning a fresh start-up, these changes matter. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what’s changing, why it’s happening, and what you’ll want to be doing now to stay ahead.
What’s changing
Here are the headline fee changes announced by Companies House:
- The digital filing fee for incorporating a new company will rise from £50 to £100.
- The digital filing fee for the confirmation statement (the annual update companies must file) will go up from £34 to £50.
- The fee for a voluntary strike-off (i.e. putting a no-longer-trading company into dissolution) will drop from £33 to £13 when filed digitally.
- Paper (or non-digital) filings are also becoming much more expensive compared to online submissions, which further emphasises the push to digital.
- These changes cover most company types that use Companies House: private limited companies, LLPs, overseas entities, charitable companies and so on.
Why the increase?
You might be asking: “Why are the fees going up?” Here are the key reasons:
- Companies House states that it reviews its fees each year to ensure they reflect the cost of delivering its services.
- The legislation, specifically the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, gives Companies House broader powers to verify identity, query or remove false or misleading information, and generally raise the standard of information on the register.
- Companies House is investing in its digital systems, identity verification, and enforcement capabilities, and the increased fees help fund this modernisation.
- Also, the higher cost of paper filings is a deliberate incentive: to encourage businesses to file digitally, which is faster, cheaper for the registrar and less prone to error.
How will it impact your business?
It’s one thing to know the numbers, quite another to understand how it affects you. Here are the main implications:
1. Extra cost for incorporation or starting a company
If you plan to launch a new limited company or LLP after 1 February 2026, you’ll now pay £100 instead of £50 for the digital incorporation fee. That’s double what it is now. While £100 is not huge in business terms, for new ventures or multiple companies, the increase is meaningful.
2. Annual running compliance cost will go up
Every year when you file your confirmation statement, you’ll pay £50 instead of £34 (for digital). That’s an extra cost that needs to be factored into your budget, especially for smaller companies where every penny counts.
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3. Paper filing will cost you more
If you still rely on paper or non-digital submissions, get ready for higher charges. For many, that means it will make financial sense to switch to digital filing without delay.
4. Opportunity: cheaper to close inactive companies
On the flip side, the voluntary strike-off fee dropping to £13 (from £33) makes it much cheaper to properly close down a company you no longer trade through. If you hold dormant companies or entities with little activity, it may be worth reviewing them now.
5. Administrative and compliance burden increases
These fee changes go hand-in-hand with stricter verification of directors and persons with significant control (PSCs). If your filings are late, incorrect or you have supervisors or staff unaware of new rules, you could face delays or extra costs. Companies House will be more active in using its enforcement powers.
What you should do before the change
Given the changes take effect from 1 February 2026, now is the time to prepare. Here are some steps:
- Budget ahead – Ensure your 2026 budgets include these higher filing fees and any extra costs associated with compliance or third-party help.
- Plan company formations – If you’re thinking of incorporating a company soon, you might consider doing so before the change, where possible and appropriate, to benefit from the lower fee.
- Move to digital filings – If you haven’t already, switch all your company filings (incorporation, confirmation statements, updates) to digital. It’s going to be the cost-efficient route.
- Review your company structure – Check whether you hold companies which are inactive, non-trading or no longer needed. The lower strike-off fee means closing them may be cheaper and reduce ongoing risk and cost.
- Check and update your records – Make sure directors, PSCs, registered office addresses and your compliance processes are all up to date before the verification regime becomes stricter.
- Seek advice if needed – If your company structure is complex, you have multiple entities or you are unsure of how the changes apply to you, speak to your accountant or corporate advisor now.
Why is this more than a minor fee hike?
On paper, an increase from £34 to £50 or an incorporation fee rising to £100 might look small. But it signals a shift in how the business environment is regulated and how company registration services work. Here’s why it matters:
- The register becomes a more credible source of information. When the public, investors and other firms look up your company, they want confidence that the details are accurate and verified. These reforms support that.
- Fraud, misuse of company structures and inaccurate filings have been areas of concern for some time. By beefing up identity verification and enforcement, the UK aims to make itself a safer place for legitimate business.
- Digital filing being strongly incentivised means you’ll benefit from faster turnaround, better interaction, less error and cost. It pushes all businesses towards more modern practices.
- Opening or closing companies must be done with greater thought. With the cost rises for incorporation and opportunities to close down entities cheaper, there is a strategic choice to make.
- For accountancy firms, advisers and corporate services, the job of helping clients will shift too – advising on structure, compliance and timing becomes more important.
Final Thoughts
From 1 February 2026, the fee landscape at Companies House will be different. New companies will face higher costs to set up, filings will cost more, and paper submissions will become relatively uncompetitive. On the positive side, closing unused entities will cost less.
The key takeaway for your business: plan now, expect slightly higher costs and ensure your digital filing practices are in place and your company records are up-to-date. That way you won’t be caught off guard, and your business remains compliant and efficient.
If you’d like to talk through how the changes may affect your business, or how best to budget, streamline or restructure your companies ahead of February 2026, we’re here to help.
Author
Meet Alex, an FCCA-qualified professional with an MBA and over 30 years of experience, specialising in EIS/SEIS, financial modelling, and sustainability. He’s known for making complex data clear, working seamlessly with creatives, and exploring new ways technology can improve processes. He has experience in leading the automation of practice management systems, boosting both productivity and quality. His credentials include a Certification in Sustainability for Finance and recognition as a Certified 4D Sustainability Canvas coach.
