What does a PLC cost?
A public limited company costs little more than a private limited company to incorporate – the real difference lies in the capital it must raise and the higher running costs of governance, audit and disclosure.
One-off formation costs
The incorporation fee at Companies House is the same as for a private limited company: £100 online (since 1 February 2026). In practice, most PLCs use a solicitor for articles of association suited to a public company and for the trading certificate application, so legal fees are the bigger item.
The share capital is not a cost
A PLC must have allotted shares with a nominal value of at least £50,000, of which at least a quarter must be paid up before it can trade. This money is not spent – it belongs to the company and is available for business purposes.
Plan running costs realistically
A PLC needs at least two directors and a qualified company secretary, generally holds an annual general meeting and cannot use the small company audit exemption, so its accounts must be audited. Accounts are due six months after the end of the financial year. For most start-ups, a private limited company is far cheaper to run.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to set up a PLC?
The Companies House fee is £100 online. On top come legal advice, the company secretary and the share capital of at least £50,000 nominal, at least a quarter of which must be paid up.
Is a PLC more expensive than a limited company?
Yes, above all in running costs: a mandatory audit, a qualified company secretary, an annual general meeting and stricter filing deadlines.
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