Cambodia Company Registration Fees 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown
How much does it really cost to register a company in Cambodia? This guide gives you the complete transparent breakdown — official government fees, legal service fees, bank account costs, annual compliance expenses, and the hidden charges that catch first-time investors by surprise. No surprises, no vague estimates.
One-Time Registration Costs
The following costs are incurred once during the company registration process. Government fees are fixed and non-negotiable. Professional service fees vary based on the firm you engage and the complexity of your structure.
| Cost Item | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MoC Registration Fee (official government fee) | ≈ USD 540 | KHR 2,155,000 — the official Ministry of Commerce filing fee |
| Name Reservation Fee | ≈ USD 25 | KHR 100,000 — for reserving your company name before registration |
| Notary Fee for Articles of Association | USD 200–400 | Notarization of founding documents; varies by notary and document complexity |
| Company Stamp / Corporate Seal | USD 20–50 | Required for official documents; can be produced locally in Phnom Penh within 24–48 hours |
| GDT Tax Registration | Included | Integrated into CamDX process — no separate government fee |
| MLVT Registration | USD 50–100 | Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training registration; required before hiring employees |
| Legal / Professional Service Fee | USD 800–2,500 | Varies significantly by firm — covers CamDX filing coordination, document preparation, and liaison with government offices |
| Total (Government Fees Only) | ≈ USD 600–700 | Without professional legal service |
| Total (With Professional Legal Service) | USD 2,000–4,500 | Recommended for foreign investors |
Important note on the MoC fee: The official MoC registration fee of approximately USD 540 (KHR 2,155,000) is the base fee for a standard private limited company (Co., Ltd.) with a registered capital of USD 1,000. Fees may differ slightly for higher registered capital amounts, specialized company types, or specific business activity categories. Always confirm the current fee schedule with your legal advisor before filing.
Annual Recurring Costs
Beyond registration, a Cambodian company incurs ongoing annual and monthly compliance costs. These are unavoidable — Cambodia requires active tax filing from all registered companies regardless of revenue level. Below is a realistic summary of what to budget annually.
Varies widely by business type — trading companies, services firms, and regulated industries (finance, healthcare) pay different rates set by GDT
VAT, salary tax, withholding tax declarations — outsourcing to a local accounting firm is common and recommended
Required if gross revenue exceeds USD 250,000 — fee varies by auditing firm and business complexity
Filed at Ministry of Commerce; updates shareholder register, director list, and company information
Legal fee for each foreign employee — government fee component plus professional service fee
Health + pension scheme contributions on total payroll — mandatory for all registered employees
Hidden & Unexpected Costs
These costs are less obvious but routinely encountered by first-time company owners in Cambodia. Budgeting for them upfront prevents cash flow surprises in the first weeks of operation.
| Hidden Cost Item | Typical Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Office registration for GDT | USD 50–200 | GDT requires a verified physical address; rental deposit for a basic registered office or co-working address |
| Electricity deposit (if renting office) | USD 100–500 | EDC electricity connection or building deposit — often required upfront by landlords |
| Bank account opening minimum deposit | USD 25–500 | Varies by bank — ABA USD 25 personal; corporate accounts often USD 100–500 |
| Bank account maintenance fees | USD 0–50/month | Some banks charge if minimum balance not maintained |
| Accounting software subscription | USD 30–200/month | QuickBooks, Xero, or local solutions — needed for proper bookkeeping from day one |
| Signature notarization (foreign directors) | USD 100–300 | If director is abroad, notarization of signatures and apostille of founding documents in home country |
| Translation costs | USD 50–200 | Some documents require Khmer translation by a certified translator for government submissions |
DIY Filing vs. Using a Legal Firm
Cambodia's CamDX portal theoretically allows self-filing, but for foreign investors this is rarely advisable. Here is an honest comparison of both approaches.
| Factor | DIY Filing | Using a Legal Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | USD 600–700 (government fees only) | USD 2,000–4,500 total |
| Time to complete | 2–6 weeks (if you know the process) | 5–15 business days |
| Language barrier | Significant — Khmer forms required | Handled by firm |
| Risk of errors | High — common mistakes in AoA drafting | Low — firm takes responsibility |
| Ownership structure advice | None — you structure yourself | Tailored advice on foreign vs. local ownership |
| Tax registration | Easy to miss steps or make errors | Correctly handled as part of service |
| Ongoing support | None | Relationship continues for compliance |
| Recommended for | Khmer-speaking locals with accounting knowledge | Foreign investors, non-Khmer speakers |
A poorly structured company registration can result in: inability to obtain necessary business licenses (wrong activity code), difficulties adding or removing shareholders (poorly drafted AoA), unexpected tax exposure (wrong tax regime classification), and costly re-registration procedures. Correcting a flawed company structure after the fact typically costs more than getting it right the first time. The legal service fee is an investment, not a luxury.
Which Legal Firm Should You Use?
Best for: Large investments, regulated industries, foreign investment incentives (QIP)
Top international firm in Cambodia; deep regulatory expertise; recommended for complex structures or regulated sectors
Best for: SMEs, trading companies, service businesses
Well-regarded mid-tier firm; good balance of quality and cost for straightforward company registrations
Best for: Real estate transactions, general corporate, investment structures
One of Cambodia's most established local law firms; strong litigation and corporate practice
Best for: Simple structures, Cambodian partners, local market knowledge
Quality varies significantly; always verify track record and ask for references; may lack expertise in complex cross-border structures
Total Cost Summary: What to Budget
Government fees + basic local legal service. Suitable for simple structures with experienced local co-founder.
Government fees + mid-tier legal firm. Recommended for most foreign investors with straightforward business plans.
Government fees + premium firm + banking setup + full compliance handover. Best for regulated industries or large investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost to register a company in Cambodia in 2026?
The total cost depends on whether you use a professional legal service. Government fees alone (MoC registration, name reservation, notary) total approximately USD 600–700. If you use a reputable legal firm to handle the process, total one-time costs typically range from USD 2,000 to USD 4,500 depending on the firm's tier and the complexity of your structure. Budget-tier local services can bring this down to USD 1,500–2,000, while premium international firms charge USD 3,000–6,000+. The government fees themselves are non-negotiable; the professional service fee is where variation lies.
Are there hidden fees I should know about when registering a company in Cambodia?
Yes — several costs catch first-time registrants by surprise. The most common include: (1) Office address registration at GDT — you need a physical address, and if using a registered office service this has a monthly or annual fee; (2) Bank account opening deposits and maintenance fees; (3) Accounting software and bookkeeping setup costs from month one; (4) Signature notarization and apostille costs if you are a foreign director signing documents from abroad — this can add USD 200–500; (5) Translation costs for Khmer versions of documents; and (6) MLVT registration if you plan to hire employees. Building a budget of USD 2,500–5,000 for total first-year setup (registration plus operational setup) is realistic for most SMEs.
Can I register a company in Cambodia myself without a lawyer (DIY filing)?
Technically yes — Cambodia's CamDX digital services portal is designed for online self-filing. However, DIY filing carries significant risks for foreign nationals who are unfamiliar with the requirements. Common DIY mistakes include incorrectly structured Articles of Association (which can affect your business activities scope, shareholding flexibility, and future investment eligibility), missing tax registration steps (resulting in penalties from day one), incorrectly classified business activities (wrong industry code can affect your annual patent fee and compliance obligations), and suboptimal ownership structures (local vs. foreign-ownership structures have very different implications for land use, business licenses, and tax). For most foreign investors, the USD 1,500–3,000 legal service fee is one of the best investments you make — errors in registration structure can be costly and time-consuming to correct.
What are the ongoing annual costs to run a Cambodian company?
For a small to medium company with 1–5 employees and no audit requirement, realistic annual ongoing costs include: monthly GDT filings outsourced (USD 100–200/month = USD 1,200–2,400/year); annual patent renewal (USD 100–500 for most service or trading businesses); annual MoC return (USD 50–150 in legal fees); work permit renewal per foreign employee (USD 300–600 per person); NSSF contributions on payroll (ongoing); and accounting software (USD 360–2,400/year). Budget USD 2,000–5,000/year for compliance and administration costs for a small company — not including audit (which adds USD 2,000–8,000 if applicable).
When is an annual audit required in Cambodia?
Under the Law on Taxation and GDT regulations, an annual independent audit of financial statements is required for companies that: (1) have annual gross revenue exceeding USD 250,000; (2) are listed on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX); or (3) are in certain regulated industries (banking, insurance, microfinance, securities). Companies below the USD 250,000 revenue threshold are not legally required to conduct an independent audit but must still maintain proper books of account and file annual income tax returns. Note that some banks, foreign investors, or government license applications may require audited financials regardless of the legal threshold.
How do Cambodia's company registration costs compare to Thailand or Vietnam?
Cambodia's official government registration fees (≈USD 540–700) are slightly higher than Thailand's base registration fees (≈USD 200–400 for a Thai Limited Company) but comparable to Vietnam (where costs depend on province and company type). Professional legal service fees in Cambodia are broadly similar to Thailand and Vietnam. Where Cambodia differs is the relatively low annual operating compliance cost and simpler monthly filing system — Cambodia's GDT eTax portal is considered more user-friendly than Vietnam's complex VAT and CIT system. For foreign ownership, Cambodia allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors without the joint-venture requirements that apply in some Vietnamese industries.
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Legal Disclaimer: Government fees, legal service costs, and compliance requirements referenced in this guide are indicative as of March 2026 and subject to change by the Ministry of Commerce, GDT, and MLVT. All costs are in USD unless otherwise stated. Exchange rates are approximate. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always obtain a specific quote from a licensed Cambodian legal service provider before proceeding with company registration.
Our legal content is developed in partnership with licensed Cambodian attorneys and business consultants who specialise in foreign investment, immigration, and property law.
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