How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in Singapore? A Complete Guide to the Registration Process, Filing Steps, and Trademark Registration

Singapore company registration fees are not fixed; actual costs depend on the type of service selected, corporate structure, and whether professional assistance is engaged. Currently, market prices for basic registration packages generally range from SGD 1,800 to SGD 3,500. These packages typically include government filing fees, a registered office address, the first year’s corporate secretary service, and a company seal-essential components required by law. Alternatively, applicants may file directly online via the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)’s BizFile+ system, incurring only approximately SGD 300 in platform processing fees. However, self-filing requires meeting several conditions appointing at least one local resident director, having no mandatory minimum paid-up capital requirement, and possessing the capability to independently complete statutory compliance filings.

Starting in 2025, ACRA has further optimized the response speed of its BizFile+ system and introduced electronic annual return reminders and a simplified deregistration channel specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As a result, the overall registration timeline has been shortened to just 1-3 working days for approval-making Singapore’s company incorporation process faster than that of most other Southeast Asian countries.

How much does it cost to register a company in Singapore? A clear breakdown of fee components

1. Government Registration Fee SGD 150 (one-time, payable to ACRA);

2. Company Seal Engraving Approximately SGD 50-SGD 120 (commonly includes both a traditional rubber stamp and a self-inking stamp);

3. Registered Office Address Service SGD 600-SGD 1,800 for the first year (must be a genuine commercial address located in Singapore; virtual email addresses or residential addresses are not permitted);

4. Local Corporate Secretary Service SGD 900-SGD 1,500 for the first year (legally mandatory; the secretary is responsible for maintaining statutory records and ensuring regulatory compliance);

5. Bank Account Opening Assistance (not mandatory but strongly recommended) Some service providers charge SGD 300-SGD 800, covering pre-submission KYC document review and appointment scheduling support;

6. Tax Registration (e.g., Goods and Services Tax [GST] registration) Free of charge; however, additional documentation-including evidence of business scale and financial projections-is required.

Step-by-step Singapore Company Registration Process

1. Propose and submit a company name to ACRA for pre-approval. The name must not duplicate any existing business entity and must avoid restricted or sensitive terms (e.g., “Bank” or “Royal”, which require special licensing);

2. Define the shareholder structure (individuals or corporate entities are both acceptable; no nationality restrictions apply; minimum of one shareholder, maximum of 50);

3. Appoint at least one individual director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore (must be at least 18 years old and have no record of bankruptcy or criminal conviction);

4. Prepare the company constitution (Constitution), which may either adopt ACRA’s standard template or incorporate customized provisions;

5. Complete all information fields on the BizFile+ platform and upload supporting documents-including valid identification (passport or national ID card) and proof of residential address (e.g., utility bill or bank statement issued within the last three months);

6. Upon payment, receive an immediate Unique Entity Number (UEN) and an electronic Business Profile certificate.

Key Points for Singapore Trademark Registration

Trademark registration in Singapore is administered separately by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and constitutes a distinct process from company registration-it must be applied for independently. In 2025, IPOS launched the AI-powered trademark search tool “IP2SG”, enabling earlier detection of similar marks and reducing average examination time to within four months.

1. A trademark may consist of words, logos, color combinations, or even sounds-but must possess sufficient distinctiveness and must not merely describe the nature, quality, or function of the goods/services;

2. Prior to filing, conducting a comprehensive class-based search is highly advisable to avoid rejection due to similarity (official IPOS search fee SGD 120; third-party searches typically cost SGD 300-SGD 600);

3. Classification follows the Nice Classification system. Application fees are SGD 270 for the first class, with an additional SGD 180 for each subsequent class;

4. After successful examination, the application enters a two-month public opposition period. If no objections are raised, the trademark registration certificate is issued. Validity lasts for 10 years and may be renewed indefinitely;

5. Upon successful registration, the ® symbol may be used on products, websites, packaging, and related marketing materials. Registered trademarks enjoy full legal protection under the Trade Marks Act and confer enforceable rights in litigation.

Important Notes

After company registration, businesses must file their first tax return (Form C-S or Form C) within six months-even if no business activity has occurred, a “nil” return must still be submitted. Additionally, all companies are required to file an Annual Return with ACRA every year; failure to do so results in late penalties, and persistent non-compliance may lead to compulsory striking-off.

Although bank account opening is not part of the formal registration process, most local banks require that the company has been incorporated for at least three months, possesses a credible business plan, and maintains a reasonable level of paid-up capital (a minimum of SGD 50,000 is recommended to enhance approval success rates).

The above outlines core information regarding company and trademark registration in Singapore-including detailed cost structures, procedural steps, and practical considerations-to assist you effectively.