Global Company Formation Costs Compared: 7 Countries 2026

Last verified: 2026-05-02

How much does it actually cost to incorporate a private company in the UK, US, France, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada in 2026? This guide pulls the statutory government fees plus the realistic out-of-pocket costs (registered agent / domiciliation / legal notice / capital deposit) from primary sources only.

Quick Answer (TL;DR)

The cheapest jurisdiction in 2026 to incorporate a private limited‑liability vehicle, by government fees alone:

1. New Zealand — NZ$118.74 + GST (≈ USD 75)
2. Wyoming LLC (US) — USD 100
3. UK Ltd — £100 (≈ USD 130)
4. Ontario Inc. (Canada) — CAD $300 (≈ USD 220)
5. Australia Pty Ltd — A$597 (ASIC, indexed July 2025) (≈ USD 390)
6. Sweden AB — SEK 1,900 + SEK 25,000 share capital deposit (≈ USD 2,540)
7. France SAS — INPI fee + ≈€193 avis légal (≈ USD 290 government, but with cumulative bank/translation costs typically ≈USD 600+)

Comparison Table at a Glance

Currency conversions are illustrative as of 2026-05-02 and do not bind any reader. The statute and the government website are the source of truth.

Country-by-Country Deep Dive

1. United Kingdom — Companies House (£100 digital)

Source statute: Companies Act 2006 (c.46) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/contents

The Companies House fee schedule changed on 1 February 2026 to reflect the cost of the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 regime:

Reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-fees-are-changing-from-1-february-2026

There is no minimum share capital for a UK private company limited by shares. A single £1 ordinary share fully paid up is sufficient.

2. United States — Wyoming LLC (USD 100)

The US has 51 different fee schedules. Wyoming remains the lowest‑cost popular jurisdiction for non‑resident founders forming an LLC:

Delaware is more expensive (USD 89 base fee + USD 50 annual franchise tax for small LLCs; for corporations the franchise tax is calculated by authorized shares — minimum USD 175). Nevada is the highest of the three popular formation states (USD 425 in combined corporate filing + business license + initial list).

Sources:

• Wyoming SOS: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/RegistrationInstr.aspx
• Delaware Division of Corporations: https://corp.delaware.gov/howtoform/

3. France — SAS / SASU (≈ €270 government, but watch the avis légal)

France has the most fragmented cost stack. The actual fee paid to INPI/RCS/BODACC is small (around €66) but two unavoidable French‑specific costs must be added:

The avis légal is mandatory — under Décret n°2012-1547 art. 1, every commercial company must publish a legal notice in a JAL of the département of its registered office within one month of signing the statuts.

Watch‑outs that easily double the cost:

• Bank deposit account opening fee (€60–150)
• Domiciliation contract if no physical office (€20–80/month)
• Notary fees for in‑kind contributions (≥ €30,000 in‑kind triggers a commissaire aux apports report under Décret n°2010-1638)

Source: https://entreprendre.service-public.fr/vosdroits/F23847

4. Sweden — Aktiebolag (SEK 1,900 + SEK 25,000 share capital)

Sweden’s fee is moderate, but the SEK 25,000 minimum share capital under Aktiebolagslagen (2005:551) Ch. 1 §5 is the dominant cost item:

The share capital is paid into a separate bank account in the name of “[Company] AB under bildning” before registration. Once Bolagsverket issues the organisationsnummer, the capital is released and may be used for company expenses.

The capital is not lost — it remains the company’s working capital — but founders must have access to that liquidity at the time of incorporation.

Source: https://bolagsverket.se/en/foretag/aktiebolag/avgifter

5. Australia — Pty Ltd (A$597 ASIC fee)

ASIC fees are indexed each 1 July under the Corporations (Fees) Act 2001 based on the previous March quarter’s CPI. The fee at last verification:

There is no mandatory share capital beyond A$1. The A$597 ASIC fee is the dominant cost; everything else (registered office, agent, post‑incorporation fees) is optional.

Source: https://www.asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/forms-and-fees/all-fees/

6. New Zealand — Companies Office (NZ$118.74 + GST)

New Zealand has the lowest government incorporation fee of the seven countries reviewed:

GST is currently 15% under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985, s.8(1). The fees are correct as published on the Companies Office Schedule of Fees: https://companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/managing-your-online-account/schedule-of-fees/

Catch: Companies Act 1993, s.10(d) requires at least one director resident in New Zealand or in an “enforcement country” (currently only Australia). This residency rule, not the fee, is the practical bottleneck for foreign founders.

7. Canada — Ontario, BC, or Federal CBCA

Canada has 14 jurisdictions of incorporation (federal + 10 provinces + 3 territories). The three most popular:

The CBCA’s 25% Canadian‑resident director rule is the biggest practical issue for non‑resident founders. Ontario removed its residency requirement on 5 July 2021, making it the most popular Canadian jurisdiction for international entrepreneurs.

Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/incorporate-business-corporation-online

Decision Framework

Lowest absolute cost (government fees only):

New Zealand → Wyoming → UK → Ontario (numbered)

Lowest cost AND no director residency restriction:

UK → Wyoming → Ontario (numbered) → BCBCA → France

Lowest cost AND no residency AND no minimum capital:

UK → Wyoming → Ontario → France → New Zealand (with NZ-resident director)

If you want a real, working budget for the first year, add:

• Registered agent / registered office / domiciliation: USD 50–500/year
• Bank account opening (some jurisdictions only)
• Annual return / confirmation statement: USD 40–250
• Bookkeeping / accounting: from USD 0 (DIY) to USD 1,500+

Common Pitfalls — Gyoseishoshi View

1. Underestimating “small” recurring fees. A confirmation statement (UK £50), an annual report (Wyoming USD 60), or an annual review (Australia A$321) seems trivial — until the company is struck off for non‑filing. Mark these dates on a calendar from day one.

2. Ignoring share capital when comparing. Sweden’s SEK 25,000 mandatory share capital is not a fee — it remains the company’s working capital. But it is a cash flow requirement at incorporation. Founders without that cash cannot incorporate.

3. Mistaking formation state for tax residence. A US LLC formed in Wyoming and operated in California pays California franchise tax (USD 800 minimum) regardless of where it was formed. Formation jurisdiction does not displace nexus rules.

4. The avis légal trap in France. The €193 JAL notice is unavoidable and is the single largest French government‑adjacent cost. Many DIY founders forget it and have their Guichet Unique filing rejected.

5. Ontario numbered company saves CAD $30 and avoids a “name change later” risk. If you do not have a strong brand name yet, an OBCA numbered company is the cheapest path; a trading name can be registered separately at any time.

6. New Zealand’s director residency rule is the real cost. NZ$118.74 government fees → easy. Finding a NZ‑resident director willing to take on personal liability under Companies Act 1993 → expensive (often NZ$1,500–3,000/year for a nominee director service).

Conclusion

In 2026, government fees for incorporation in mature jurisdictions cluster between USD 90 and USD 600. The bigger cost drivers are mandatory share capital (Sweden), legal-notice publishing (France), director-residency arrangements (NZ, CBCA), and recurring annual fees (Australia, US).

For a first‑time international founder seeking the lowest realistic 2026 budget:

Always check the registrar’s official fee schedule on the date of filing — fees in this guide are correct as of 2 May 2026 and were sourced from each registrar’s published page.

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Disclaimer

Legal information, not legal advice. MmowW Scribe is operated by a licensed Gyoseishoshi (行政書士) office in Japan. We are not solicitors, barristers, attorneys, avocats, or licensed legal practitioners in any jurisdiction.

Sources

1. UK — Companies House fees from 1 Feb 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-fees-are-changing-from-1-february-2026
2. UK — Companies Act 2006: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/contents
3. US — Wyoming Secretary of State business fees: https://sos.wyo.gov/business/docs/businessfees.pdf
4. US — Wyoming LLC registration: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/RegistrationInstr.aspx
5. US — Delaware Division of Corporations: https://corp.delaware.gov/howtoform/
6. France — Service-Public.fr — création d’une SAS: https://entreprendre.service-public.fr/vosdroits/F23847
7. France — Guichet Unique INPI: https://formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr/
8. Sweden — Bolagsverket fees: https://bolagsverket.se/en/foretag/aktiebolag/avgifter
9. Sweden — Aktiebolagslagen (2005:551): https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/aktiebolagslag-2005551_sfs-2005-551/
10. Australia — ASIC fees: https://www.asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/forms-and-fees/all-fees/
11. Australia — Corporations Act 2001 (Cth): https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A00818
12. New Zealand — Companies Office Schedule of Fees: https://companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/managing-your-online-account/schedule-of-fees/
13. Canada (ON) — Ontario Business Registry: https://www.ontario.ca/page/incorporate-business-corporation-online
14. Canada (federal) — Corporations Canada fees: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/corporations-canada/en/fees