Starting a business in Ukraine: foreigner's guide (2026)

Foreigners may own 100% of a Ukrainian LLC; there is no requirement for a local partner or minimum domestic shareholder. The Law No. 2275-VIII explicitly provides no cap on a foreigner's share in authorized capital.

No statutory minimum charter capital applies to LLCs; the amount is freely determined by founders (legally from UAH 1 upward) and must be contributed within six months of registration. Joint-Stock Companies face a higher threshold (~200 minimum wages, approx. EUR 32,800 post-2025 amendment).

Registration is completed with a state registrar or notary: (1) prepare and apostille founding documents, (2) disclose Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) per Ministry of Finance format, (3) file charter, founding decision, and application. The statutory deadline is 2 business days; in practice most LLCs are registered within 24 hours. State fee is UAH 3,028 (one living wage, 2025).

Ukraine's uResidency program (diia.gov.ua) allows eligible foreign nationals to register and operate a business fully online as an individual entrepreneur, with a 5% simplified tax rate. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, and FATF grey/black-list countries are excluded. As of mid-2025 the program is accepting a limited set of nationalities while a new expanded format is prepared.

A foreign national serving as company director must hold a valid Ukrainian work permit. The company must have a registered physical address in Ukraine (P.O. boxes not accepted). A Ukrainian Tax Identification Number (TIN) is required for each foreign founder prior to registration.

Under martial law the NBU restricts outward capital transfers. As of mid-2025 (NBU Resolution 95, August 2025), dividend repatriation is permitted only for profits accrued from January 1, 2023 onward, capped at EUR 1 million per month. Dividends from pre-2023 retained earnings remain blocked. These controls apply to all companies including foreign-owned entities.