LLC Registration in Ukraine for foreign individuals and companies

Updated: November 2026

A foreign company or entrepreneur has decided to operate in Ukraine through its own limited liability company. The registration itself technically takes one business day. Before it, however, foreign documents must be prepared and legalised, a tax number obtained, and a registered address and director chosen. These steps decide whether the company can then open a bank account and start operating without delay.

Who can be a founder and director

The founder of an LLC can be one or more foreign individuals or foreign companies. Incorporation and corporate governance are governed by the Law of Ukraine “On limited and additional liability companies” (in Ukrainian). There is no minimum share capital. It must be paid within six months of registration unless the charter sets another period.

A foreigner can be the director. To work in that position, however, a foreigner usually needs a work permit under the Law of Ukraine “On employment of the population” (in Ukrainian), and later a temporary residence permit. If the founder does not plan to relocate to Ukraine straight away, a Ukrainian citizen can be appointed director at the start.

Where the founders or ultimate beneficial owners include citizens or companies of the aggressor state, or sanctioned persons, registration and subsequent operations face significant restrictions. These questions must be resolved before work begins.

Documents

The documents depend on who the founder is:

a foreign individual: a passport with a notarised translation and a Ukrainian taxpayer registration number (tax number). It is issued by the State Tax Service, including through a consulate or a representative acting under a power of attorney;
a foreign company: an extract from its home trade register, a decision of its authorised body to set up the Ukrainian LLC and a power of attorney for the representative. All documents must be apostilled or legalised and translated into Ukrainian;
in all cases: details of the ultimate beneficial owners and an ownership structure chart, and a document confirming the right to use the premises at the registered address.

The apostille is affixed in the country that issued the document. The list of documents and their requirements should therefore be agreed before they are prepared, to avoid redoing them abroad.

Registered address from 27 October 2026

Law of Ukraine No. 5020-IX of 14 October 2026 (in Ukrainian) amended the Law of Ukraine “On state registration of legal entities, individual entrepreneurs and public associations” (in Ukrainian). The state registrar now checks whether there are legal grounds to use the property at the address given as the company’s registered office. For a new company, at least one founder must hold such a right:

ownership, confirmed by the State Register of Real Property Rights;
or a lease, sublease or loan agreement, together with register data on the lessor’s ownership.

If the registrar cannot establish these grounds, registration is refused. An address “without documents” no longer works. The agreement for the premises is therefore concluded with the founder before the documents are filed.

Registration and first steps

Documents are filed with a state registrar or a notary. They are reviewed within 24 hours, excluding weekends and public holidays (art. 26 of the Law on state registration). In practice, the whole process from the first consultation takes from three business days if the documents are already in Ukraine. Documents from abroad add time for their preparation and delivery.

After registration, the company is automatically registered with the tax authorities.

The usual next steps are:

choosing the tax regime and, if needed, registering for VAT;
opening a bank account. The bank identifies the founders and ultimate beneficial owners, so a complete and consistent set of corporate documents shortens the process;
formalising the director’s employment and, if needed, permits for foreign employees;
setting up accounting and reporting.

There is no need to travel to Ukraine for registration. All steps can be taken through a representative acting under a power of attorney. Opening a bank account may require the director’s personal attendance.

Cost

LLC registration with a foreign individual as founder: from EUR 500;
LLC registration with a foreign company as founder: from EUR 800;
tax number for a foreigner: EUR 150;
support in opening a bank account: EUR 350;
registered address: EUR 60 per month;
director services: EUR 200 per month;
work permit for a foreign employee: EUR 450;
temporary residence permit: EUR 450.

Notarial fees, translations, apostilles, state fees and courier costs are charged separately. Their scope and amount are agreed in advance. Accounting fees depend on the company’s business and volume of transactions.

Firm experience

Setting up Matisa Ukraine LLC, the Ukrainian subsidiary of Matisa Matériel Industriel S.A. of Switzerland, a manufacturer of railway infrastructure equipment, followed by ongoing corporate and regulatory support.
Opening an office and setting up a Ukrainian subsidiary for VICC International (USA), together with immigration support and advice on doing business under martial law.

Our services

advice on the ownership, management and tax structure of the future company;
drafting of the charter, the incorporation decision and the ownership structure chart;
agreeing the list of foreign documents and the apostille and translation requirements;
obtaining tax numbers for foreign founders;
provision of a registered address under a sublease agreement;
state registration of the LLC, including through a representative under a power of attorney;
support in opening a bank account;
director services and work permits for foreign employees;
setting up accounting.