How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in Singapore? The Truth Behind the Numbers Revealed!

How Much Does It Really Cost to Register a Company in Singapore? The Real Story Behind the Price

In recent years, as globalization deepens and the Southeast Asian market continues to heat up, an increasing number of entrepreneurs and businesses are choosing to expand their operations into Singapore. As one of Asia’s most competitive business hubs, Singapore attracts a large number of international investors with its stable political and economic environment, efficient services, low tax policies, and strategic geographical location.

However, for many entrepreneurs who are new to the Singapore market, one of the most pressing questions is How much does it actually cost to register a company in Singapore?

1. The Basic Cost Structure

According to publicly available information from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ACRA and related service providers, the basic cost of registering a Private Limited Company in Singapore typically ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 Singapore dollars SGD. This price range includes essential expenses such as registration fees, company secretary services, and a registered office address.

Breaking it down

Registration Fee Collected by ACRA, this is approximately SGD 315 about RMB 1,550.

Company Secretary Service Fee As stipulated by Singapore law, all local companies must appoint a qualified company secretary. Fees vary depending on the service provider, typically ranging from SGD 300 to SGD 800.

Registered Address Fee A legal local address is required for company registration. This cost ranges from SGD 200 to SGD 500 annually.

Additional Optional Services Such as assistance with bank account opening, accounting services, and tax consultation. These are usually charged separately based on business needs.

If entrepreneurs choose to go through a professional registration agency, the total cost may be slightly higher, but it can save considerable time and effort while ensuring compliance.

2. Recent Trends Greater Transparency and More Professionalized Services

Since 2025, as more Chinese companies and individuals set their sights on overseas markets, the Singapore company registration service market has experienced a new wave of growth. According to reports from Lianhe Zaobao, the number of newly registered businesses in Singapore increased by 12% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, with a significant rise in investors from China.

At the same time, registration service pricing has become increasingly transparent. Many professional service providers now offer one-stop solutions, covering everything from company registration and bank account opening to tax registration. For example, Virtuoso Corporate, a well-known business services firm, recently launched a startup package that includes company registration, first-year secretary services, and a virtual office address, all for a total of SGD 1,999. This package has gained popularity among small and medium-sized investors.

3. Hidden Costs and Long-Term Expenses The Invisible Bills You Can’t Ignore

While the initial registration costs are relatively clear, the real impact on business operations often comes from hidden expenses that are easy to overlook.

First, the ongoing service fee for a company secretary is a fixed annual cost. Although it may be included in the initial registration package, businesses typically need to pay between SGD 600 and SGD 1,200 annually for continued services.

Second, annual audits and tax filings are mandatory legal obligations for Singapore companies. Even if the company is not actively operating, it must still submit annual financial statements and tax returns. If outsourced to an accounting firm, this can cost between SGD 1,000 and SGD 3,000 per year.

Additionally, for companies planning to operate substantively in Singapore, there are further operational costs such as office rental, employee salaries, and marketing expenses. In a high-cost city like Singapore, these initial operational expenditures often far exceed the initial registration costs.

4. Why Singapore? The Real Story Behind the Choice

Despite the seemingly high registration costs, an increasing number of entrepreneurs continue to choose Singapore as a launchpad for overseas expansion. There are several compelling reasons behind this trend.

First, Singapore offers significant tax advantages. The maximum corporate income tax rate is only 17%, and the first SGD 100,000 of annual profits are tax-exempt. Additionally, Singapore has signed double taxation avoidance agreements with over 80 countries and regions, facilitating cross-border business activities.

Second, Singapore’s financial system is highly stable and its banking services are convenient. Whether opening a corporate bank account or conducting international settlements, Singapore’s banking system is known for efficiency and security. For Chinese investors, Singapore banks also support RMB settlement, significantly reducing exchange costs and risks.

Moreover, Singapore provides strong support for startups. The government has established multiple startup support funds, such as the Startup SG initiative, offering qualified startups financial subsidies, office space support, and talent attraction facilitation.

Li Ming, a tech entrepreneur from Shenzhen, shared his experience with the South China Morning Post After registering our company in Singapore, we not only secured orders from the Southeast Asian market but also completed our first round of financing through Singapore’s financial platform. While the initial investment was higher than expected, in the long run, it was definitely worth it.

5. Conclusion

Although the cost of registering a company in Singapore may seem significant, the international platform, tax benefits, and business opportunities it represents are opening up new growth avenues for many companies.

Whether you're a small or medium-sized enterprise looking to expand overseas or a large corporation seeking global positioning, Singapore offers a stable, efficient, and transparent business environment.

For entrepreneurs who are ready to go global, understanding registration costs is just the first step. The key lies in making long-term plans, rationally evaluating operational costs and market potential, and fully leveraging Singapore’s value as an international business hub.