Business Registration Fees in 2026

Key Takeaways

• The full business registration fee of HK$2,200 applies in 2026.
• There will be no subsidy for the 2026/27 Business Registration Fee. Businesses should expect to pay the full fee for the coming year.
• Opt for a 1‑year certificate to stay flexible and benefit from potential discounts on the business registration fee in the future.
• With Get Started HK: Our incorporation packages include business registration fee arrangements, and overseas clients can rely on us for renewals.

Business Registration Fees in 2026

Are you planning to start a business in Hong Kong, or already running one? If so, you’ll need to register your business or renew your business registration certificate with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). For the year 2026, the full business registration fee of HK$2,200 applies. There will be no subsidy for the 2026/27 Business Registration Fee. Businesses should expect to pay the full fee for the coming year.

Business Registration Fee (2026/27)

For the 2026/27 financial year, companies are required to pay the full business registration fee of HK$2,200. The earlier subsidy under the Revenue Order 2022, which reduced the fee by HK$2,000, has expired. Businesses no longer enjoy the HK$150 discounted rate and must pay the standard fee.

The government explains that the full fee is necessary to cover the operation costs of providing registration services.

Why Subsidies Come and Go for Business Registraton Fees

The Hong Kong government occasionally offers subsidies on business registration fees. These subsidies are not permanent, they are usually introduced when the government wants to:

• Support SMEs during economic downturns or global uncertainty.
• Encourage entrepreneurship and ease the burden for new startups.
• Stimulate growth in specific industries or during recovery phases.

At other times, when the economy is stable or the government needs to recover administrative costs, subsidies are withdrawn, and the full fee applies.

Forecast for Business Registration Fees 2027/28

Looking ahead, we anticipate that the government may reintroduce a subsidy in 2027/28 to support businesses, especially given the current push to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a global startup hub. However, this is not guaranteed, the IRD adjusts fees based on fiscal policy and broader economic conditions.

For now, we recommend businesses continue with 1-year certificates rather than locking into a 3-year business registration certificate. This way, you remain flexible and can take advantage of any discounts or subsidies that may be offered in the coming year.

Business Registration Fee Timeline (2019 – 2027)

Here’s how the Hong Kong business registration fee has shifted over the years, showing when subsidies were applied and when full fees were charged:

Year / Period	Fee (HK$)	Notes
2018/19	2250 (full)	No subsidy. Businesses paid the full fee.
2019/20	250 (after subsidy)	Government introduced subsidies during covid period.
2020/21	250 (after subsidy)	Government introduced subsidies to support SMEs during global uncertainty.
2021/22	250 (after subsidy)	Subsidy continued to encourage entrepreneurship and ease burdens.
2022/23	150 (after subsidy)	Revenue Order 2022 reduced fees further.
2023/24	2,150 (full)	Subsidy expired. Return to standard fee.
2024/25	2,200 (full)	Full fee continued.
2025/26	2,200 (full)	Current year – no subsidy.
2026/27 (forecast)	2,200 (full)	Anticipated government support in 2027/28

Additional Expert Insights: How Business Registration Fees Affect New Entrepreneurs

From my experience working with thousands of founders, business registration fees, although relatively small compared to global standards, still influence how entrepreneurs plan their first-year budget. Many new founders underestimate the number of mandatory government fees involved in setting up a Hong Kong company. The business registration fee is one of the first costs you encounter, and it renews annually.

When subsidies are available, they significantly reduce the entry barrier for new entrepreneurs. During the COVID years, the HK$250 fee made Hong Kong one of the most affordable places in the world to start a company. Now that the full fee has returned, founders need to plan their cash flow more carefully, especially if they are running lean operations.

I often advise clients to treat the business registration fee as part of their “annual compliance budget,” alongside the annual return filing, accounting fees, and audit fees. This mindset helps avoid surprises and ensures smoother long-term planning.

Why Choosing a 1-Year Certificate Is the Smarter Move in 2026

Many clients ask whether they should choose a 1-year or 3-year Business Registration Certificate. In years when subsidies are unpredictable, the 1-year option is almost always the smarter choice.

Here’s why:

• If the government introduces a subsidy next year, you can immediately benefit from the reduced fee.
• If you lock into a 3-year certificate now, you will be stuck paying the full HK$2,200 rate for all three years, even if subsidies return.
• The difference can be significant: during subsidy years, the fee dropped to HK$150 or HK$250.

In other words, flexibility is worth more than the convenience of a 3-year certificate.

How Business Registration Fees Fit Into Hong Kong’s Startup Ecosystem

Hong Kong’s business registration fees are more than just a government charge, they reflect the city’s economic strategy. When the government wants to stimulate business activity, it reduces the fee. When it needs to stabilize revenue, it restores the full amount.

This pattern tells us something important. Hong Kong uses the business registration fee as a policy tool. Entrepreneurs who understand this can plan ahead more strategically.

For example:

• During subsidy years, we saw a surge in new company incorporations.
• During full-fee years, incorporations slowed slightly, but the quality of businesses improved.

This aligns with Hong Kong’s long-term goal of attracting serious founders who are committed to building sustainable companies.

Incorporation & Renewal Services

If you choose to incorporate a company in Hong Kong with Get Started HK, we will arrange the Business Registration Certificate (BR) for you, and the business registration fee is included in our incorporation package. The BR certificate will clearly list your company name, validity period, and registered address.

If you need renewal services and are based overseas, feel free to reach out to us. We can handle the process on your behalf, ensuring compliance and peace of mind without you needing to be physically present in Hong Kong.

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