Company formation costs across countries are easiest to compare when the filing fee is separated from the operating bill. Estonia lists a €265 online registration fee. The UK lists £100 for online registration. Delaware's public schedule lists $110 for formation of a domestic LLC. Those figures are useful. They are not a complete first-year budget.
A founder who compares only the registry receipt can select the wrong place for the business. Registered address services, a local agent, accounting, bank onboarding, tax registrations and any required professional work can carry more weight than the initial filing.
What does a fair cross-country cost comparison include?
Start with the compulsory public filing charge, then list recurring local obligations separately. This keeps a cheap digital registration from being confused with a cheap operating structure. It also avoids currency conversions that can become stale quickly.
| Jurisdiction and form | Public formation charge | Important cost boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia, online company registration | €265 | e-Residency access and legal-address/contact-person services are separate |
| United Kingdom, online limited company | £100 | Registered-office, confirmation and accounting obligations remain separate |
| Delaware, domestic LLC | $110 | Registered agent and Delaware annual-tax obligations are separate |
These are local-currency public charges, not a ranking. They cover different legal forms and different compliance environments.
What does Estonia cost at the registration stage?
The official Estonia e-Residency start-a-company page lists €265 for online company registration once the founder has the e-Residency card. It also gives a typical €200 to €400 yearly range for a legal address or contact-person service. That second line belongs in the budget when the company needs it.
Estonia suits founders who can run a genuine remote company and keep its records orderly. It does not change personal tax residence by itself. Banking acceptance and where management actually happens still need a case-specific review.
What does forming a UK company cost?
Companies House states that online registration costs £100 and is usually completed within 24 hours. The same official page says a postal application costs £124 and normally takes 8 to 10 days. The online price is a formation fee, not a quote for ongoing company administration.
A UK company also needs a compliant registered office and must stay on top of statutory filings. That is why a low entry price is only one input into the decision.
What does a Delaware LLC filing cost?
Delaware's Division of Corporations fee schedule, currently linked from its official fee page, lists $110 for formation of a domestic LLC. The schedule describes this as the filing fee plus municipality fee. It should be read alongside the separate registered-agent and annual-tax position before using Delaware as a price benchmark.
For a foreign founder, state formation, an EIN, bank onboarding and any federal reporting analysis are distinct workstreams. Combining them into one headline number hides the real decision.
Which costs are commonly missed?
Four items are regularly left out: a local address or registered agent, bookkeeping and annual filing work, tax registrations triggered by real trading, and banking or payment-provider onboarding. Add professional fees only after the scope is clear. A dormant holding company and an operating company with staff do not have the same cost profile.
For a wider jurisdiction decision, see Corpenza's guide to choosing a country for an online business. For an operating budget tied to your facts, review the company formation and accounting service.
FAQ
Is the lowest formation fee the best choice?
No. The best fit depends on where contracts are performed, who manages the company, the bank's onboarding requirements and the compliance work that follows registration.
Can public fees be converted into one ranking?
They can be converted on a chosen date, but the result still does not compare legal forms, mandatory local services or annual obligations. Keep the source currency visible.
Does e-Residency create Estonian tax residence for the founder?
No. The official Estonia source distinguishes company access from personal tax residence. Personal and corporate tax questions need separate analysis.
Is a Delaware LLC's $110 the full first-year cost?
No. It is the listed formation charge. Registered-agent arrangements, annual tax and the founder's reporting position are separate.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees can change, and the right structure depends on the facts.
Corpenza can map the formation steps, compliance work and practical banking path before a jurisdiction is selected.
