Companies House fees increased on 1 February 2026 — the first significant fee rise in years. If you regularly file documents with Companies House, these changes affect your costs. Here's what's changed and what it means for your company.
Why Fees Have Increased
The fee increases fund Companies House's expanded responsibilities under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The registrar now has powers to query, reject, and remove false information — and identity verification requirements mean more rigorous checks on directors and PSCs.
In short: Companies House is becoming a more active gatekeeper rather than a passive filing repository. That costs money, and these fees reflect it.
Key Fee Changes
Incorporation Fees
Service | Previous Fee | New Fee | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Digital incorporation | £50 | £100 | +100% |
Same-day incorporation | £78 | £156 | +100% |
Paper incorporation | £71 | £135 | +90% |
Confirmation Statements
Service | Previous Fee | New Fee | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Digital filing | £34 | £50 | +47% |
Paper filing | £62 | £110 | +77% |
Other Common Filings
Service | Previous Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
Voluntary strike off (digital) | £33 | £13 |
Administrative restoration | £468 | £341 |
Registration of charge | £15 | £14 |
Change of company name (digital) | £12 | £20 |
Good news on strike-offs: The voluntary strike off fee has actually decreased significantly — from £33 to just £13 for digital filing. If you're closing down a dormant company, this is welcome news.
Digital vs Paper: The Gap Widens
The message from Companies House is clear: file digitally. Paper filings now cost significantly more across the board, and the gap will likely widen further as Companies House moves towards mandatory electronic filing.
For confirmation statements, the difference is now £50 (digital) vs £110 (paper) — more than double. If you're still filing on paper, it's time to switch.
Impact on Multi-Company Directors
If you're a director of multiple companies — holding companies, trading subsidiaries, property SPVs — these fee increases add up quickly. Each company needs its own annual confirmation statement, and if you're regularly incorporating new ventures, the doubled incorporation fee is noticeable.
Consider whether consolidation might make sense. Do you really need five separate companies, or could three achieve the same goals with lower administrative costs?
Practical Steps for Directors
Action Points
Switch to digital filing if you haven't already — the savings are now substantial
Review your company structure — could consolidation reduce filing costs?
Budget for higher annual costs per company
Check when your confirmation statement is due — filing before 1 February 2026 saved money on the old rates
Ensure your registered email address is up to date — Companies House uses this for all communications
Identity Verification Costs
Alongside the fee changes, remember that identity verification is now mandatory for all directors and PSCs. Verification through GOV.UK One Login is free. If you use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) — such as your accountant or company formation agent — they may charge a fee for their verification service.
This isn't a Companies House fee, but it's an additional cost to factor into your company administration budget.
What's Coming Next
Companies House has signalled that further changes are ahead:
Software-only accounts filing — Paper accounts will eventually be phased out entirely
More detailed shareholder information — Expect to provide additional information about significant shareholders
Restrictions on corporate directors — New rules limiting when corporate entities can serve as directors
The general direction of travel is more transparency, more verification, and more digitalisation. Directors who embrace this early will find compliance easier than those who resist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the new fees take effect?
1 February 2026. Any filings submitted before that date were charged at the old rates.
Does my accountant pay these fees on my behalf?
Typically yes, as part of their service — but they'll pass the cost on to you. Check whether fees are included in your annual package or charged separately.
Are there any fees that haven't changed?
Most director appointment and termination filings (AP01, TM01) remain free. Filing accounts is also free.