How Much Does It Cost to Incorporate a Hong Kong Company? (2025-2026 Study)

A survey study of 512 entrepreneurs incorporating a company in Hong Kong.

When it comes to setting up a business in Hong Kong, one of the first questions entrepreneurs ask is: " How much will it cost to incorporate?" 

To provide clear insights, Statrys has conducted a survey among our clients to shed light on the actual costs of company incorporation in Hong Kong. Let's dive into what we found.

Setting up a Hong Kong company involves different fees, which can vary based on your business type, complexity, and specific needs. The fundamental components include the following:

This is a one-time fee paid to the Companies Registry, the government office responsible for registering and regulating companies in Hong Kong. According to  the Companies Registry as of 2026, the fee is HKD 1,545 for electronic submission and about HKD 1,720 for paper submission. 

A fee paid to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to legally operate a business and for tax purposes. According to the IRD as of 2026, it costs HKD 2,200 for 1 year or HKD 6,020 for 3 years, and the certificate must be renewed before it expires.

Every Hong Kong company must maintain a registered local address in Hong Kong. If you do not have a physical office, this requirement can usually be met through a virtual address (subject to industry restrictions) or a service provider. Costs vary by provider, but are usually about HKD 2,500 per year.

Under Hong Kong’s company ordinance, every Hong Kong company must have a local company secretary who is a Hong Kong resident residing in the city or a licensed corporate service provider with a place of business in Hong Kong. 

Businesses typically choose between:

• Digital company secretary services, which focus on online filings, compliance reminders, and statutory record maintenance at lower cost.
• Traditional company secretary services, which offer more manual support and physical document handling through local firms.

Costs vary depending on the level of support provided, but typically start at about HKD 2,000 - 3,000 for typical service, and a few more thousand Hong Kong dollars for a more premium service per year.

Companies with a larger number of shareholders or more complex ownership structures may see higher fees due to additional record-keeping and compliance work.

At a minimum, all companies must pay government registration fees, starting from HKD 3,745. In practice, however, setting up a Hong Kong company costs more than just those government fees. Every company is required to appoint a local company secretary and maintain a local registered address, which pushes the total cost higher unless you already have local resources in place.

Since these service fees vary, how much does it really cost? To answer this, we conducted a survey to understand real-world setup expenses, which we cover in the next section.

Now that you have seen the individual cost components, the key question is what setting up a Hong Kong company actually costs in practice. Our latest survey results reveal a range of costs, reflecting the diverse needs and choices of businesses.

Overall Average Costs

• Average Hong Kong Company Creation Cost: Around HKD 9,474
• Average Annual Maintenance Cost: Around HKD 10,110

This maintenance cost covers the essential services required to keep your company in good standing each year. It typically includes the annual Business Registration fee paid to the government, provision of a registered office address, a local company secretary, a designated representative for statutory compliance, and mandatory filings like the Annual Return and any required tax declarations.

Costs by Type of Company Secretary Service

Digital Company Secretary Services:

• Average Creation Cost: Approximately HKD 8,219
• Average Annual Maintenance Cost: Around HKD  8,936.

Traditional Company Secretary Services:

• Average Creation Cost: About HKD 10,729
• Average Annual Maintenance Cost: Approximately HKD 11,284

These findings show a clear cost distinction between digital and traditional services. Digital services tend to be more cost-effective for both incorporation and annual maintenance. However, it's worth noting that prices may vary depending on the service provider.

We conducted a comprehensive survey to study the costs of incorporating and maintaining a company in Hong Kong. To gather data, we surveyed all our clients, who represent diverse industries and business sizes. Ultimately, we received responses from 512 clients, providing a representative sample for our study.

Participants reported two figures: the cost of incorporating their company in Hong Kong and the annual maintenance cost. We compared traditional and digital company secretary services to observe cost differences.

To understand the cost of incorporating a Hong Kong company through a corporate service provider, we also surveyed over 50 active Hong Kong incorporation firms. 

A key finding from the survey is that most providers do not publish their prices online. Instead, fees are often provided on a quote basis or split into multiple service components. 

However, among providers that publish structured pricing, two package types are most common, with the following details and fees.

While cost breakdowns and average market figures provide a useful reference, they could not tell the full story when it comes to your unique business. The actual cost of setting up a Hong Kong company depends on your specific business structure, size and service selection. 

Based on these considerations, it is recommended that business owners assess their incorporation needs early and engage service providers that offer transparent pricing, end-to-end compliance support covering all legally required obligations, and services essential to their specific business needs.

In practice, each company is different, and formation costs can be influenced based on several key factors outlined below.

Hong Kong company formation costs can vary. Before comparing providers or packages, it helps to understand the main drivers behind pricing.

The nature and structure of a business can influence costs. Companies with more complex structures, such as those involving multiple directors or numerous shareholders, tend to incur higher costs due to increased administrative requirements. For example, company secretarial service providers may charge higher fees for firms with a larger number of shareholders or more intricate ownership arrangements.

In addition, businesses that require specific Hong Kong licenses or permits are likely to face higher incorporation expenses. For instance, the retail sector may require a license from the Trade and Industry Department, along with adherence to regulations such as consumer protection, product safety, or labelling. This results in additional licensing fees and administrative work, increasing overall incorporation costs.

Different packages and service levels can influence Hong Kong company formation prices.

Some businesses may opt for basic company registration services, while others choose comprehensive packages with additional features like a registered business address, assistance in opening a bank account, designated representative services,  annual returns filing service, accounting services and other legal or financial advisory services.

Moreover, certain packages may cover government fees, while in others, government fees and service fees are charged separately.

Hidden fees could also be associated with tasks such as document preparation, filing, retrieval, alterations to company information, and submitting information after the deadline.

Lastly, the mode of service delivery, whether digital or traditional, is an important factor influencing Hong Kong company formation prices.

Market trends, particularly the shift toward digitalisation and the preference for digital solutions, can influence Hong Kong company formation prices. 

This trend not only aligns with the global shift towards digitalisation but also lowers administrative and labour costs for service providers. As a result, many firms are able to offer more competitive pricing or bundled service packages. Additionally, competition in the digital services market may further influence prices.

Understanding how these cost considerations translate into planning, service choices, and budgeting helps you approach incorporation with clearer expectations.

Choosing the Right Service Provider

Selecting the right service provider will be key to the success of your incorporation.

If you're looking for a Hong Kong company registration service and a company secretary for your Hong Kong-based business, consider the following factors.

• Budget - Align the cost of services with your financial plan. Don't just opt for the cheapest option, but also consider the value they bring to your business. Our recommendation is a provider offering a comprehensive package covering essential incorporation documents, such as Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate.
• Communication - Another crucial factor is clear communication. It's essential to choose a service provider and a company secretary who speaks your language fluently for smooth operations. Plus, they should be proficient in Chinese and English, as both are official languages in Hong Kong, though Chinese is more commonly used in day-to-day practice. They should also be responsive and provide clear answers to your queries. 
• Company Size - Consider how the size of your company influences your needs. Larger organisations may require a service provider with experience handling complex structures, while smaller firms may benefit from more customised services.

Budgeting for Incorporation

When planning to incorporate in Hong Kong, it's essential to factor in a diverse range of potential costs. While some may manage to keep expenses lower, it's wise to be prepared for higher costs, especially if your business requires more complex services.

Embracing Digital Solutions

Opting for a digital service provider brings business owners several advantages, such as potential cost savings and the convenience of online applications. Some providers also offer the flexibility to track application progress, access documents on the go, and provide online support, contributing to an overall smoother and more efficient experience.‎

While some incorporation costs are fixed, there are practical ways business owners can keep expenses under control.

Register Electronically Instead of Paper Filing

Electronic incorporation is cheaper than paper submission and is processed faster by the Companies Registry. Choosing electronic filing immediately reduces government registration fees and avoids delays that could trigger additional administrative costs.

Use a Single Provider for Mandatory Requirements

Appointing the same provider for company secretary and registered address services is often more predictable and cost-effective than sourcing them separately. Many providers offer bundled pricing for mandatory compliance services, which helps reduce overall annual costs.

Statrys provides a streamlined digital solution for Hong Kong company formation, registered address, and company secretary services — all designed to keep your business compliant while saving time and cost. With transparent pricing and expert support, you can manage your Hong Kong company confidently from anywhere. 

Your package includes:

• 100% online incorporation
• Preparation and filing of all required documents
• One year of registered address service (renewable)
• One year of company secretary service (renewable)
• Government fees included 
• Fast-track support for multi-currrency business account application (subject to approval)

You can also get accounting services with fees based on your transaction volume, no need to pay for what you have not used. 

At Statrys, we're dedicated to providing clear guidance and support. For more insights and assistance with your business needs in Hong Kong, feel free to contact Statrys team.