How Much Does it Cost to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant?
- Apr 29
- 6 min read
If you’ve been wondering how much it costs to start a Virtual Assistant (VA) business in 2026, the answer is: far less than most people expect. One of the many AMAZING things about becoming a Virtual Assistant is that it might not cost as much as you think to get your business off the ground!
The truth is, you can get started for a surprisingly modest investment. So, what do you actually need to invest in? And how much will it cost you?
Business bank accounts for UK Virtual Assistants – Free or minimal cost
Technically, you don’t NEED this. There is no legal reason for a separate business account if you’re operating as a sole trader. However, having a business bank account from the start makes life much easier. It helps you to:
Keep your business finances organised
Quickly see what money is coming in and going out
Save you having to change invoice details down the line
I often recommend Starling and Mettle, both UK-friendly accounts ideal for VAs. It’s worth noting that a Mettle account also gives you free access to Freeagent accounting software.
With Making Tax Digital (MTD) rolling out more widely, I do recommend using some form of digital accounting platform. This isn’t essential immediately, but it will be when your business grows. Xero, Quickbooks and Freeagent are all good options. To keep costs minimal, sign up with a 30 day free trial and check for deals (at the time of writing, both Quickbooks and Xero are offering huge discounts, equating to a cost of under £1 per month for 6 months to a year). Freeagent remains free to use for those with certain business bank accounts. There are also totally free softwares available - check out the HMRC software finder tool for options.
Quick reminder - as of the time of writing (April 2026), MTD only applies once your income hits a certain threshold - £20,000 for the 26-27 tax year. Chances are as a new VA, this won’t apply in your first year.
Domain name and business email addresses for VAs - £2–5 per month + £10 per year
Having a business email address is important in helping you set the right tone. Your business email is one of the first things a potential client will notice, and giving them a generic Gmail or iCloud address doesn’t give the same impression as ‘name@vabusiness.com’. It’s a small detail, but it plays a big role in how professional and established your business feels from the very beginning. It’s one of my non-negotiables that I recommend to everyone.
It also helps to reduce spam and improve email deliverability. (Pro tip - there are LOTS of things you can do to increase email deliverability, we show you what to do inside The VA Village)
Here’s what you need:
Domain name: Usually very cheap (often £1) in the first year, then around a tenner annually thereafter. You can buy a domain just by googling ‘buy a domain’, but I recommend GoDaddy or, if you want to use Google Workspace, you can do this through Google (with domains now provided via Squarespace).
Email access: You can buy both the domain and your email access through the same provider from around £4 per month, or get the domain and link it to an MS365 or Google Workspace subscription (which will also give you access to file creation software Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets etc), starting around £5 per month.
This would be one of the first things I’d set up.
Pro tip: My advice would be to keep both your domain and email address as short, simple and easy to spell as possible – avoid initials, punctuation or tricky words.
ICO registration for Virtual Assistants (GDPR compliance costs) - £47 per year
Do you need it? In short… YES!
As a Virtual Assistant, you will almost certainly be handling a variety of confidential client data, and therefore must register with the ICO. It’s the UK’s way of making sure businesses comply with GDPR.
Cost: £52/year, reduced to £47 if you pay by direct debit
Covers: Confidentiality, data handling responsibilities
(I will say that the ICO’s online check can be confusing, and sometimes seems to change its mind about whether you should register – but it’s better to be safe than sorry for the minimal annual fee.)
Again, this would be one of the first things I’d set up.
Virtual Assistant contracts for working with clients - £72 one-off
A contract protects both you and your client, making expectations crystal clear.
I recommend Koffee Klatch, who offer a wide range of editable contracts suitable for VAs, including social media, easy UK-based VA contracts, and more.
For start-up VAs, the VA AI-ready Terms of Business – Basic is usually perfect, plus they offer video support.
You can get 10% off your KoffeeKlatch contract with my code Cozpr10, and they give fantastic support afterwards. Annabel from KoffeeKlatch really knows her stuff, and has been kind enough to deliver a GDPR masterclass to The VA Village - it’s in the library if you fancy a watch!
It is important that before using a contract with a client you have a good understanding of what is included so that if your potential client asks any questions you can answer them with ease. You do not need to buy the contract until you’ve at the point of signing your first client - but it’s good to have planned out where you are sourcing it.
Insurance costs for Virtual Assistants - Essential from the Start, £10 per Month
This is one of those non-negotiables when you’re working with clients. Professional indemnity insurance protects you against:
Claims of negligence
Breach of confidentiality
Libel and slander
Providers like PolicyBee offer professional indemnity coverage starting from £9.15/month. You might also consider:
Public liability insurance
Cyber insurance
Your insurance provider can help you explore whether these are right for your business.
Like contracts, you don’t need to pay for insurance until you’re signing your first client, but it’s wise to research early so that you’re prepared.
Total cost to start a Virtual Assistant business in the UK (2026)
By investing in the right essentials at the start, you’ll save time and stress later. Here’s a rough breakdown:
Initial setup (bank account, domain, email, ICO registration): £60
First-client essentials (contract, insurance): £80
Monthly ongoing (email, insurance): £15
All in all, you can launch your VA business for around £150, the bulk of which doesn’t need to be spent until you know you’re about to have money coming in!
Key takeaways
You don’t need a huge budget to start as a VA
Prioritise essentials: domain/email, ICO registration, contract, and insurance
Set up your finances and systems early to save time later
Professional presentation matters: a business email and contract go a long way
You can start lean and scale up as your business grows
FAQs
Do I need a business bank account as a sole trader?
Not legally, but it keeps your finances organised and makes client billing easier.
When should I buy my VA contract?
You can wait until you’re ready to sign your first client, but it’s best to have already decided what you’re going to buy and where from.
Is insurance really necessary?
Yes. Professional indemnity protects you and your clients – it’s essential from day one of working with a client.
Do I need to pay for a Virtual Assistant training course to get started?
No. There is no formal qualification requirement to be a Virtual Assistant, and many VAs start their businesses using their existing skills and build from there. That said; support, training and community can absolutely help you grow faster and avoid common mistakes as you scale. If you do choose to invest, focus on support that helps you build a sustainable business – not just learn skills in isolation.
Next steps
Consider what services you want to offer
Decide on your business name, look out for deals on domain names and get your professional email address and ICO registration sorted
Have a look at VA contract options and decide which you’re going to get when you sign your first client.
Start looking for clients! Here are five places you can find clients as a VA to get started.
If you’d rather not figure it all out alone, The VA Village is there to support you at every stage – help & support from those further along the path, solidarity from those in the same place and expert training and coaching on all aspects of running a VA business that actually works for you.
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About the author:
Kayleigh Johnstone is the founder of COZ & Co, an award-winning Business Support & Visibility Agency, and the creator of The VA Village. As a qualified EMCC Coach and Mentor, Kayleigh is dedicated to helping incredible women launch and grow profitable, flexible Virtual Assistant businesses. A recognised leader in the UK small business community and a Small Biz 100 featured entrepreneur, she provides a clear blueprint for VAs who want to stop chasing the 9-to-5 and build a guilt-free business that values their individual brilliance.
*This blog contains affiliate links where one or both of us may receive a fee or discount if you buy. I’m only recommending products or services I’ve used myself.
