How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in Singapore? A Clear Breakdown of Fees and Common Misconceptions

On the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape of Southeast Asia, Singapore has long attracted global founders with its stable economy, efficient services, and strategic location. In recent years, as China’s Belt and Road Initiative continues to gain momentum and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership RCEP agreement takes effect, more and more Chinese business owners and individual investors are turning their eyes to Singapore-hoping to expand overseas by setting up a local company. Yet, when taking that first step, many ask the same question How much does it actually cost to register a company in Singapore?

This may sound like a simple question, but the answer involves several layers of cost considerations. Let’s dive into this topic and clear up some common misconceptions along the way.

First, the straightforward answer The minimum paid-up capital required to incorporate a company in Singapore can be as low as 1 Singapore dollar. Yes, you read that right-one dollar. That’s because Singapore operates on a “nominal capital” system, meaning shareholders only need to commit to a certain amount of capital without having to fully inject it upfront. This model significantly lowers the barrier to entry, making it especially appealing for startups and small-to-medium enterprises.

But here’s the catch Registered capital doesn’t equal total cost. Many people mistakenly believe they can start a company for just one dollar. That’s not quite accurate. While capital requirements are minimal, there are still essential administrative fees and service charges involved.

For example, you must pay a registration fee to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ACRA, which currently stands at around 300 SGD. If you’re not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, local law requires every company to have at least one locally resident director. As a result, most foreign entrepreneurs end up hiring a corporate service provider to act as a nominee director or company secretary-an annual expense typically ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 SGD.

Add in other necessary services such as a registered office address, assistance with bank account opening, and tax registration, and your total initial investment usually falls between 2,000 and 4,000 SGD. Of course, if you handle everything yourself and meet all eligibility criteria, you might save some money-but for foreigners unfamiliar with local regulations, working with a professional firm remains the safer and smarter choice.

It's also worth noting that while there's no mandatory minimum capital requirement, setting an unrealistically low amount could hurt your credibility. A company with just 1 SGD in capital might raise eyebrows when seeking partnerships or applying for loans. To strike the right balance, many businesses opt for a reasonable figure-say, between 10,000 and 100,000 SGD-to demonstrate seriousness without tying up excessive funds.

Another common misunderstanding Do you need to verify or deposit the capital upon registration? The answer is no. Singapore does not require a capital verification report at incorporation, nor does it restrict the source of funds. As long as you declare your share capital truthfully and outline the share structure in your company constitution, you’re good to go. Any future changes-such as increasing or reducing capital-can be easily filed through ACRA’s online system, making the process transparent and hassle-free.

Recent data shows over 60,000 new companies were incorporated in Singapore in 2025, nearly 30% of them backed by investors from mainland China-a trend that continues into this year. According to Lianhe Zaobao, the first half of 2025 saw significant growth in fintech, e-commerce, and green energy startups, reflecting strong international confidence in Singapore’s business environment.

At the same time, Singapore keeps improving its incorporation process. Since 2025, the launch of BizFile+, a one-stop enterprise portal, has made company registration faster than ever-often completed within 15 minutes. With complete documentation and an available company name, you can receive your certificate of incorporation almost instantly. This level of efficiency is precisely why Singapore remains one of the world’s most attractive destinations for company formation.

Still, registration is just the beginning. What truly determines a company’s success is how well it complies with regulations, plans its taxes, and grows its market presence. Singapore’s corporate income tax rate stands at a competitive 17%, with partial tax exemptions for the first 200,000 SGD of taxable profits-making it highly appealing for SMEs. Plus, Singapore has signed double taxation avoidance agreements with numerous countries, reinforcing its position as a preferred regional headquarters hub.

To sum up, starting a company in Singapore doesn’t demand deep pockets. The real barrier isn’t financial-it’s knowledge. Understanding the full picture of costs and seeing through marketing claims like “zero-cost registration” or “set up for just 1 dollar” is key to making smart decisions.

Instead of fixating on minimizing upfront expenses, focus on building a solid business model, establishing a compliant structure, and planning for sustainable growth. After all, launching a company isn’t about who spends the least-it’s about who builds something that lasts.

Choose the right place, take that first step wisely, and the road ahead will only get wider.