Companies House Fee Changes 2026: Rising Costs & Cheaper Closures

Companies House fee changes are on the horizon again, and this time the adjustments are significant. Following the substantial increases seen in May 2024, the government has announced a new pricing structure set to take effect from 1 February 2026.

For business owners and accountants, this update is a mixed bag. While the cost of maintaining and starting a company is set to double in some areas, there is a surprising silver lining for those looking to shut down: closing a company will actually become cheaper.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming price shifts and how to prepare your business.

The Headline Increases: Incorporation & Compliance

The most impactful part of the Companies House fee changes is the sharp rise in core administrative costs. The government states these increases are necessary to fund the “Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act” reforms, helping Companies House transition from a passive registry to an active gatekeeper against fraud.

From 1 February 2026, the following digital fees will apply:

• Incorporation (Digital): Increasing from £50 to £100.
• Confirmation Statement (Digital): Increasing from £34 to £50.

This means the cost of forming a new company will essentially double overnight. For serial entrepreneurs or formation agents, this is a substantial hike compared to the £12 fee that existed prior to 2024.

Similarly, the annual cost of keeping a company on the register (the Confirmation Statement) continues its upward trend. If your statement is due around the transition date, filing early, before February 1st could save you money.

Why Closing a Company Will Be Cheaper

In a surprising twist, the Companies House fee changes include a significant price reduction for one specific service: Voluntary Strike-Off.

Currently, it costs £33 to dissolve a company via the digital service (DS01). From February 2026, this fee will drop to £13.

Why the price drop?

This move appears counter intuitive alongside rising compliance costs, but it serves a strategic purpose. By making it cheaper to close a company, Companies House is encouraging directors to “clean up” the register.

Many dormant or unwanted companies remain on the register simply because directors forget to close them or wish to avoid the fee. Reducing the barrier to exit helps remove inactive entities, improving the integrity of the UK’s corporate data.

Pro Tip: If you have a dormant company you have been meaning to close, and it is not urgent, waiting until February 2026 could save you £20 per company. Conversely, if you plan to incorporate a new venture, doing so before the deadline will save you £50.

Summary of Key Fee Changes (Digital)

How These Changes Affect You

These Companies House fee changes signal a new era where holding a limited company carries a higher premium. The days of “set and forget” cheap companies are ending.

1. Budget for Higher Annual Costs

If you manage multiple special purpose vehicles (SPVs) or dormant holding companies, your annual compliance budget will need to increase. The rise to £50 for confirmation statements is a fixed cost that cannot be avoided.

2. Re-evaluate Dormant Companies

With holding costs rising (Confirmation Statements) and closing costs falling (Strike-Off), 2026 will be the perfect time to audit your corporate structure. Is that dormant subsidiary still needed? If not, the cheaper strike-off fee makes streamlining your group structure more attractive.

3. Plan Your Incorporations

If you are planning to start a business soon, aim to file your incorporation application before 1 February 2026. Missing this window will cost you an extra £50 in statutory fees alone.

Conclusion

The Companies House fee changes coming in February 2026 reflect the agency’s broader mission to crackdown on economic crime and improve data reliability. While paying £100 to incorporate or £50 for an annual return is a steep increase from historical lows, the reduction in strike-off fees offers a unique opportunity to tidy up your business portfolio for less.

Review your company dates now. A little timing strategy filing returns early or delaying closures could keep more cash in your business.