How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a CIC?
Last updated: January 2026
Quick Answer
Setting up a CIC costs £65 if you register online, or £86 by post. That's it — there's no other mandatory fee.
Registration Costs Breakdown
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online registration | £65 |
| Postal registration | £86 |
| Using CIC Tools | Subscription (includes formation + ongoing tools) |
This fee goes to Companies House. The CIC Regulator doesn't charge separately for reviewing your community interest statement — it's all included in the registration fee.
Ongoing Annual Costs
| What | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation Statement | £34 | Annual |
| Filing accounts | Free | Annual |
| Filing CIC34 report | Free | Annual |
Total mandatory annual cost: £34
That's just for the confirmation statement. All other filings are free.
For full details on what you need to file, see our CIC Annual Requirements guide.
Optional Costs
Things you might spend money on but don't have to:
| What | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | £300-800/year | Not required for small CICs |
| Formation agent | £100-300 | Does paperwork for you |
| Solicitor | £500-2,000 | Usually unnecessary |
| Registered office service | £50-150/year | If you don't want to use home address |
| Insurance | £200-500/year | Public liability recommended |
CIC vs Other Structures: Cost Comparison
| Structure | Setup Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| CIC | £65 | 2-5 days |
| Ltd Company | £12-50 | 24 hours |
| Charity (CIO) | Free | 8-12 weeks |
| Sole Trader | Free | Immediate |
A CIC costs more than a standard company but gives you community credibility and access to social enterprise funding. Charities are free but take months to register. For a full comparison, see our CIC vs Charity guide.
How to Save Money
- Register online — saves £21 compared to post
- Use model articles — free from the CIC Regulator, no solicitor needed
- Prepare your own CIC36 — follow our CIC36 guide
- Or use CIC Tools — generate everything for one subscription
Ready to set up your CIC?
CIC Tools generates all your formation documents — CIC36, articles, and more.