Companies House Fees Are Rising in 2026. Here’s What It Means for Your Business

From early February 2026, a long-standing feature of UK corporate life, the cost of dealing with Companies House, is changing in a way that will affect every limited company, from brand new start ups to long established businesses sitting quietly on the register.

The headline figures matter.

The digital incorporation fee is increasing by 100 percent, rising from £50 to £100.

The confirmation statement fee is increasing by around 47 percent, going from £34 to £50.

These are not marginal tweaks. They are material increases to filings that almost every company either makes once or makes every single year.

The changes, announced by Companies House towards the end of last year, represent the most significant shift in core filing fees in years. They arrive at a time when the role of the registrar is expanding, and when company data, transparency and trust are under far more scrutiny than they once were.

Not every fee is going up. The digital fee for voluntary strike off, used when closing a company, drops sharply from £33 to £13. That reduction feels deliberate. There is a recognition that closing down dormant or unnecessary companies should be straightforward, not quietly penalised.

So why the increases now?

Over the last couple of years, Companies House has moved well beyond being a passive filing office. Legislation around economic crime and corporate transparency has pushed it into a more active role. The emphasis is now on improving data quality, verifying identities, and reducing abuse of the register.

That shift carries real cost. New systems, identity checks for directors and people with significant control, and greater enforcement capability all require investment. The revised fee structure reflects that reality. Companies House is no longer operating as a low cost admin service. It is being positioned as a gatekeeper.

What does this mean in practical terms for businesses.

For established companies, the increases may not feel dramatic in isolation, but they compound. If you operate multiple companies, or group structures, a near 50 percent rise in annual confirmation statement fees adds up quietly but consistently. Budgets built on historic filing costs will start to drift.

For new businesses and start ups, timing matters. Incorporating before 1 February 2026 saves £50 immediately. That is money far better kept inside the business than spent on administration on day one.

The reduced strike off fee is also worth paying attention to. If you have companies that no longer serve a purpose, this is a sensible moment to simplify. Fewer entities means fewer filings, fewer reminders, and less long term friction.

Zooming out, these changes are part of a wider direction of travel. UK company regulation is becoming more robust and more demanding. That brings benefits in credibility and trust, but it also brings cost. The days of ultra cheap, hands off company administration are fading.

For business owners, the takeaway is straightforward. Filing fees are no longer background noise. Now is the time to review structures, check upcoming deadlines, and make deliberate decisions about incorporation and closure.

Compliance is not just about meeting requirements. It is about staying ahead of change before it quietly costs you more than expected.