Cost of Incorporating a Company in Singapore (2026): What You Actually Pay

Registering a company in Singapore costs S$315 in government fees, and every company pays it. What you pay on top of that comes down to whether you already have a Singapore-resident director, which package you pick, and what renews once year one is over. This guide walks through each cost layer, two worked examples using Swiftly's own prices, and five questions worth asking before you pay any provider.

 

 

The Fixed Government Fees

Every Singapore company pays two ACRA fees, and they are the same whichever route you take.

Most straightforward company name applications are approved quickly. If ACRA needs to review the proposed name, the process can take up to three working days. If the name or business activity requires approval from another government agency, the review may take up to 15 working days. Registration itself is approved soon after payment in most cases. Complex applications can take up to 15 working days, and registrations that need extra agency approval can run from 14 to 60 days.

You also need at least S$1 in share capital to start. After incorporation, ACRA currently charges S$60 to file the company’s annual return.

What You May Pay on Top of the S$315 ACRA Fee

The S$315 government fee covers company name reservation and registration. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to pay for services such as a company secretary, registered office, nominee director or corporate service provider. You may also choose to pay for additional support such as corporate bank account assistance.

Mandatory or potentially mandatory requirements

Optional or additional services

 

Note that ACRA warns of a fine of up to S$1,000 for a director if the secretary role stays empty beyond six months, and up to S$5,000 if the registered office is not open to the public as required.

2 Examples of First-Year Cost

If You Are a Singapore Citizen or PR

Swiftly's basic incorporation package is S$550. It covers ACRA's S$315 fee, a named company secretary with basic secretarial service for year one, and help opening a bank account.

Year two adds the secretary renewal at S$300 including GST, ACRA's annual filing fee, and any accounting you need.

If You Are a Foreign Founder

For foreign founders who need a nominee director, incorporation starts from S$2,050, before ongoing costs such as ACRA's annual filing fee and accounting.

Your nominee director is a person, and the role carries weight. They are a Singapore resident who accepts a legal position on your board with the same duties as any other director, and ACRA holds every director responsible whether active or not. That is why providers, Swiftly included, run know-your-customer checks on you before appointing one.

Want to know exactly what your company will cost? Swiftly’s online incorporation form takes around two to three minutes to complete and shows the applicable fees before you pay, including whether you require a nominee director. Singapore citizens and PRs can import their details through MyInfo, while foreign founders can complete identity verification using their passport. If you are unsure whether you need a nominee director, you can review our nominee director service before starting.

Doing It Yourself or Using a Provider

If you hold a Singpass and will be a director or secretary of the new company, you can register through ACRA's Bizfile for the S$315 fee. You will still need a qualifying secretary within six months, a registered office address and a resident director.

Foreigners have no self-file option. ACRA requires them to use a registered corporate service provider to reserve a name and register a company. Anyone else can use one too, and the fee buys the paperwork, the secretary and the ongoing filings in one place. Our step-by-step guide on how to start a company in Singapore walks through both routes.

The choice comes down to who will own the annual deadlines. Filing yourself costs less on day one. A provider costs more on day one and carries the reminders and filings afterwards.

What a Company Costs After Year One

A few costs keep showing up every year after that.

• Company secretary renewal

• Nominee director renewal, if you still need one

• ACRA's annual return filing fee

• Bookkeeping, financial statements and tax filing, which vary with your transaction volume

• Audit, unless your company qualifies as a small company

The small company exemption kicks in when a private company meets two of three conditions. Revenue needs to sit at S$10 million or under, total assets at S$10 million or under, and headcount at 50 or fewer. ACRA is reviewing those thresholds in 2026, so it's worth confirming them as your year end gets closer. Our audit requirements guide keeps the details in one place.

GST registration may become compulsory if your taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million for the calendar year, or if you can reasonably expect your taxable turnover to exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months. The registration timeline depends on which test applies.

Your financial year end starts the clock. The estimated chargeable income return is due to IRAS within three months. The AGM falls due within six months of year end, unless your company is exempt or dispenses with it. The annual return is due within seven months, and the corporate tax return follows by 30 November. ACRA penalises late filing, so put every date in a calendar the week you incorporate.

Five Questions to Ask Before You Pay Any Provider

1. How long is the nominee director term, and what does it cost to renew? A short term looks cheaper until you pay for the remaining months.

2. Is there a deposit, and how do you get it back? Ask for the refund conditions and any transaction fees in writing.

3. What does year two cost? Two quotes can differ by hundreds of dollars because one moved the secretary or address fees into the renewal.

4. How is accounting priced? Some providers charge by revenue tier and others by transaction volume, and the answer changes what you pay as you grow.

5. What is charged separately? Bank visits, resolutions and other ad hoc work often sit outside the headline package.

Then ask for the first-year total in writing, with government fees itemised. If you want a side-by-side look at providers first, see our guide to the best incorporation services in Singapore.

Incorporate with Swiftly Today

Starting a company in Singapore doesn't have to mean chasing paperwork. Swiftly is a registered corporate service provider that handles incorporation online. Your legal documents are generated in seconds, and once you e-sign, Swiftly files with ACRA.

If you need a company secretary, a nominee director or help with a corporate bank account, Swiftly offers these services in one place, with live chat and screen-sharing support if you get stuck on the form. Swiftly also offers accounting once you are incorporated, and our accounting pricing guide explains how those fees are set.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in Singapore?

ACRA's fees add up to S$315 in total, S$15 for the name and S$300 for registration. With Swiftly, incorporation starts from S$550 for citizens and PRs and from S$2,050 for foreign founders, including that S$315.

Can I Register a Company in Singapore Myself?

Yes, if you hold a Singpass and will be a director or secretary of the new company. Foreigners cannot self-file and must use a registered corporate service provider.

Can Foreigners Register a Company in Singapore?

Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of a Singapore company. The company needs at least one director who meets local residency rules, which most foreign founders cover with a nominee director until they qualify themselves.

Why Do Provider Quotes Differ So Much?

Packages bundle different things. The nominee director term, the secretary, the registered address and whether ACRA's fees are included all move the price. Compare year-one totals and year-two renewals side by side.

What Is the Minimum Share Capital?

ACRA requires at least S$1 in share capital to start a company that needs share capital.

How Long Does Registration Take?

ACRA approves most registrations soon after payment. Complex applications can take up to 15 working days, and those needing extra agency approval can take 14 to 60 days. Swiftly processes applications within one working day once it has your documents and payment, and rare referrals can take from 14 days to two months.

Ready to see your total before you pay? 

Start your incorporation with Swiftly, and see your applicable fees upfront. You can also check your proposed company name first using our free name search.