While scrolling through LinkedIn or Google, you’ve likely seen flashy advertisements like “Incorporate for $0!” or “Cheapest Singapore Company Registration.” However, as any seasoned founder knows, the “sticker price” is rarely the final invoice. Between mandatory government fees, hidden administrative disbursements, and the recurring compliance costs of staying on the right side of the law, the actual cost of incorporating a company in Singapore can be a moving target.
In 2026, Singapore remains the premier global hub for tech and trade, but the regulatory landscape has become more sophisticated. With the full implementation of the Corporate Service Provider (CSP) Act and enhanced Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols, the “cheap and dirty” DIY route is fraught with more compliance landmines than ever. If you are still weighing your options, it’s helpful to first review the high-level roadmap in our guide, “How to Register a Company in Singapore.”
This guide skips the marketing fluff. We’re breaking down exactly how much to set up a company in Singapore in 2026, from the non-negotiable ACRA fees to the professional service layers that keep your business running smoothly.
TL;DR
The Bottom Line: Don’t be fooled by “$0” stickers. A legal Singapore company requires a combination of one-time government fees and ongoing professional compliance.
- Mandatory ACRA Fees: SGD 315 (SGD 15 for name reservation + SGD 300 for registration). This is fixed regardless of your provider.
- The “Real” First-Year Cost: You legally must appoint a Company Secretary and have a Registered Address. Expect professional packages to range from SGD 600 to SGD 1,200 for the first year.
- Ongoing Maintenance: A dormant company costs about SGD 800+/year to keep legal. An active business with bookkeeping and tax filing typically budgets SGD 2,500 – SGD 4,500/year.
- The Altomate Advantage: We offer a digital-first incorporation for SGD 600 (via our app), providing transparency and eliminating “hidden” administrative junk fees.
- The Recommendation: Don’t DIY. The ~SGD 300 you “save” by doing it yourself can disappear quickly once you spend 10+ hours on manual paperwork and risk Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority late-filing penalties, which start at SGD 600.
The Non-Negotiables: Government Fees (ACRA)
Regardless of which firm you hire—or even if you handle the registration yourself—you must still pay the fixed Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority fees that Singapore requires for every new entity through the BizFile+ portal. These fees are statutory; no provider can legally “discount” them without paying them on your behalf.
As of 2026, the baseline Singapore company registration fees are structured as follows:
| Fee Component | Cost (SGD) | Description |
| Name Application | $15 | To reserve your proposed company name for 120 days. |
| Registration Fee | $300 | The official fee to register a Private Limited (Pte Ltd) company. |
| Business Profile | $5 | The official “birth certificate” (PDF) of your company. |
| Total Base Cost | **$320** | The absolute minimum mandatory cost. |
The “Hidden” Risks in DIY Government Filings
While the fees are straightforward, the process isn’t always. If your proposed company name contains restricted words like “Bank,” “Finance,” or “University,” the authorities may refer it to a secondary government agency for manual review. This can delay your incorporation by weeks. If the name is rejected, you lose the $15 application fee and must start over. Furthermore, choosing the wrong SSIC code (Singapore Standard Industrial Classification) during this phase can lead to issues with opening bank accounts later on.
Professional Service Fees: The “Real” Cost of Incorporation
While $320 gets you a UEN (Unique Entity Number), it doesn’t get you a compliant business. In Singapore, every Private Limited company must legally appoint a Company Secretary within 6 months of incorporation and maintain a Registered Office Address.
Most founders realise that the total pte ltd registration cost is actually a “first-year package” price. Here is a deep dive into the professional services you will actually need:
1. The Company Secretary ($300 – $850 per annum)
In 2026, a Company Secretary is your primary compliance officer. They are responsible for:
- Filing Annual Returns with ACRA.
- Maintaining the Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC).
- Drafting minutes for the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
- Ensuring the company adheres to the Companies Act. With increased digital scrutiny from regulators, many traditional firms have raised their prices to cover the costs of mandatory KYC (Know Your Customer) software and AML monitoring.
2. Registered Office Address ($150 – $600 per annum)
The law requires a physical Singapore address where official government mail can be delivered. You cannot use a P.O. Box. While the “Home Office Scheme” allows HDB and private residents to use their home address, many founders opt for a virtual CBD address for two reasons:
- Privacy: Your home address becomes part of the public record on the ACRA business profile.
- Credibility: A Raffles Place or Orchard Road address looks significantly better on a pitch deck than a residential block in the heartlands.
3. Shareholder/Director Resolution Drafting ($100 – $500)
When you incorporate, you need to issue share certificates and pass the first board resolutions. Some “cheap” providers use a bait-and-switch tactic: they offer a low entry price but charge $50–$100 per PDF document generated or per digital signature required. A transparent provider will bundle these into the initial company incorporation cost in Singapore.
What’s Included in Altomate’s Fee?
When you look at how much to set up a company in Singapore through our platform, we provide a streamlined digital experience:
- Incorporation via App: Altomate offers a dedicated incorporation package through our app for SGD 600.
- Dedicated Support: You get access to a licensed professional to ensure you never miss a filing deadline.
- Digital Governance Dashboard: Our app allows you to view your company’s records, sign documents, and track compliance tasks in real-time.
+1 - Note on Disbursements: The SGD 600 service fee excludes government filing fees (such as the SGD 315 ACRA fee) and other third-party costs incurred on your behalf.
The Altomate Advantage: Speed and Technology
Unlike traditional firms that rely on physical signatures and slow mail, our integration with MyInfo and Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority APIs allows us to complete your Pte Ltd registration cost assessment and filing quickly and with minimal friction. You can view our full breakdown on the Altomate Incorporation service page.
Optional Add-On Costs for Foreign and High-Growth Founders
Your Singapore company registration fees are the foundation, but your specific needs might require additional stories to be built on top.
1. Nominee Director Fees ($1,500 – $3,500 per annum)
If you are a foreigner living outside Singapore, you must appoint at least one director who is “ordinarily resident” in Singapore. If you don’t have a local partner, you will need to hire a Nominee Director.
- Note: This service usually requires a refundable “security deposit” to protect the nominee from the company’s liabilities.
2. Corporate Bank Account Setup
While banks don’t usually charge a “setup fee,” getting an account approved in 2026 requires significant administrative work. Banks require a stack of board resolutions and KYC documents. Altomate provides free bank referrals to partners like Aspire, Airwallex, or DBS, saving you the $200–$500 fee that some consultants charge just for an introduction.
3. GST Registration ($200 – $500 one-time)
In 2026, the GST rate in Singapore is 9%. You must register for GST if your taxable turnover is expected to exceed $1 million. Even if registration isn’t mandatory, many startups still choose to register voluntarily so they can claim GST on their setup expenses (Input Tax).
4. Employment Pass (EP) Applications ($1,000 – $3,000)
For foreign founders wishing to relocate to Singapore to run their company, an EP is required. The criteria in 2026 include the COMPASS framework, which considers salary, qualifications, and company diversity. You’ll need to pay this cost separately from your company incorporation Singapore cost, but it remains essential for relocation.
DIY vs. Using a Professional Service: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
Many cost-conscious founders ask: “Can’t I just go to BizFile+ and do it myself for $320?”
The short answer is: Yes, if you are a Singapore Citizen or PR with a Singpass. However, for the majority of founders, the “DIY savings” of $280 often disappear the moment you encounter a hurdle.
The Real Cost of DIY Errors
- A $2,000+ bill to fix what DIY got wrong— The Constitution: Most DIYers use the “Model Constitution” provided by ACRA. While it works, it is very basic. If you have multiple shareholders or want specific share classes, the Model Constitution is insufficient. Rewriting your constitution later with a lawyer can cost $ 2,000 or more.
- Penalties up to $600 a month— Compliance Deadlines: Missing an Annual Return filing results in a late fee of $300 to $600 per month. If you forget to file for one year, the fines will exceed the cost of three years of professional secretarial services.
- Months of delay, even if you did everything yourself—. Bank Account Rejections: If your incorporation documents aren’t formatted to bank standards, your account application may be rejected. This can stall your business for months.
In 2026, your time as a founder should be spent on product-market fit, not navigating government portals. At Altomate, we take the administrative burden off your plate so you can focus on growth.
Annual Recurring Costs: What Happens After Year 1?
When calculating how much to set up a company in Singapore, you must also look at the “burn rate” of compliance. Maintaining a Singapore company isn’t a one-time expense. To keep your company in “Good Standing,” expect the following annual budget:
- Secretarial Renewal: $300 – $600
- Registered Address Renewal: $150 – $300
- Tax Filing (ECI & Form C-S): $500 – $1,500
- Financial Statement Preparation: $500 – $2,000 (depending on transaction volume)
Total Annual Maintenance: $1,500 – $4,500
While this might seem steep, Singapore offers various tax exemptions for new start-ups. For the first three years, your first $100,000 of taxable income can be significantly exempted, often covering your compliance costs many times over.
Why 2026 is a Strategic Year to Incorporate
Despite global economic shifts, Singapore has doubled down on being a “Smart Nation.” The government currently offers various grants for digitalisation (like the Productivity Solutions Grant) that can help offset the costs of hiring digital corporate service providers like Altomate.
By choosing a digital-first partner, you aren’t just paying for a registration; you are buying into an ecosystem that makes your business “auditable” and “investor-ready” from day one.
Stop Searching, Start Building
Calculating the cost of company incorporation in Singapore shouldn’t feel like solving a riddle. The math for a standard setup in 2026 is simple:
- Government Fees: $320 (Fixed)
- Professional Service (Incorporation): $280 – $600
- Essential Recurring Costs: ~$1,200 – $2,500 per year (Secretarial, Tax, Address)
Altomate’s incorporation package includes everything you need to go from idea to a registered company—at a transparent, flat rate with no surprise disbursements. We believe in empowering founders with data, not hiding it behind “consultancy fees.”
Ready to launch your Singapore venture? See Altomate’s 2026 Pricing & Packages →
Don’t forget to check out our detailed guide on How to Register a Company in Singapore for a step-by-step walkthrough of the legal requirements.
