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Most guides give you a single number for Bahrain company formation cost. That number is almost always wrong – either too low (ignoring activity fees, notarisation, and post-registration costs) or too high (bundling optional add-ons into a mandatory baseline).
This guide breaks down every cost category separately, so you know exactly what a fixed government fee is, what varies by your activity, and what is an ongoing annual cost rather than a one-time registration expense.
2026 Cost Breakdown: Government Fees
These are the direct government charges paid through Sijilat and relevant authorities. They do not include any service or advisory fees.
| Cost Item | Amount (BHD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Security clearance (NPRA) | 3–10 | Per shareholder applying |
| Company name reservation | 10–25 | Depends on name type |
| MOIC registration fee | Varies | Based on activity category |
| Activity licence fee (MOIC) | 50–400 | Per activity, varies by ISIC code |
| MOA notarisation | 50–150 | Notary public fee — varies by company capital |
| Commercial Registration certificate | Included in above | Issued with MOIC registration |
| LMRA registration (employer) | 48 | Annual, first year |
| LMRA monthly contribution | 7.5/month | For companies with 1–5 foreign workers (2026 rate) |
| Typical government total (Year 1) | 300–700 | Depending on activities |
2026 Cost Breakdown: PI Startup Advisory Service Packages
PI Startup Advisory (CR 132948-01) offers three formation packages covering the full registration process:
| Package | Fee (BHD) | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 1,326 | Security clearance, name reservation, MOA notarisation, CR issuance, 1-year office address registration |
| Gold | 1,612 | Everything in Silver + investor visa application coordination |
| Platinum | 2,151 | Everything in Gold + corporate bank account coordination + 2 years of registered address |
These fees cover the complete formation service – government fees paid on your behalf, all coordination with MOIC, NPRA, and LMRA, and the administrative work of running the application. They are not government charges – the government charges listed in the table above are part of these package fees.
Annual Running Costs After Registration
Formation is a one-time cost. These are the recurring costs to keep your company active:
| Annual Item | Cost (BHD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CR renewal | 50–200 | Depends on number of activities |
| LMRA monthly levy | 90/year | BHD 7.5 × 12 months for 1–5 foreign workers |
| Registered office (if using a service address) | 120–300 | Virtual office or serviced space |
| Bookkeeping | 600–1,500 | Depends on transaction volume |
| Audit (from Year 3) | 500–2,000 | Statutory audit required from third CR renewal |
| VAT filing (if registered) | 300-800/year | Quarterly filings |
| Electricity (office with 2 ACs) | 40-65/month | Per month cost range |
| Receptionist | 150/month | Reasonable monthly salary |
| Employee insurance | 4% of basic salary | Employer contribution |
Typical government total of 1 year is 300-700, depending on activities.
What Drives the Cost Difference Between Companies?
The biggest variable is activity licence fees. MOIC charges different amounts depending on the ISIC code of your activity. A professional consulting activity costs far less to licence than a financial services or healthcare-adjacent activity. Companies with multiple activities pay multiple licence fees.
The second variable is whether you need a physical office (more expensive) or whether a registered virtual address is sufficient for your CR.
The third variable is whether you want an investor visa as part of the process. Investor visa government fees (BHD 195–390 depending on duration) add to the total.
What Is NOT Included in Formation Cost?
A few items that are often assumed to be part of formation but are separate:
- Corporate bank account opening: No government fee, but banks have specific requirements. PI Startup Advisory coordinates this as part of the Platinum package.
- VAT registration: Free government process through NBR, but requires VAT management ongoing.
- Employee work permits: LMRA charges BHD 105–125 per permit (2026 rate, increasing to BHD 125 by 2029 under Edict 79).
- Specific sector licences: Activities requiring CBB (banking/finance), RERA (real estate), or TRA (telecoms) approval carry their own separate licence fees determined by those regulators.
