Business registration

The most common types of companies operating in Ukraine are: Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Public Joint Stock Companies (PJSCs), and Private Joint Stock Companies (PrJSCs). The main difference between a PJSC and a PrJSC is that a public joint stock company is allowed to offer its shares publicly, while a private joint stock company may distribute its shares only through private offerings.

In addition to the mentioned company types, there are other legal forms in Ukraine, such as private enterprises, cooperatives, associations, additional liability companies, and others. However, in practice, these forms are rarely used for implementing investment projects.

The most popular form of business organization in Ukraine is the Limited Liability Company (LLC), which is roughly equivalent to an LLC in the United Kingdom or a GmbH in Germany. The advantages of an LLC include its high flexibility and minimal costs—legal services for preparing the founding documents and completing registration procedures within a week usually cost less than €100.

The procedures for state registration of legal entities are governed by the Law of Ukraine “On State Registration of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Associations”.

Documents for state registration may be submitted either in paper or electronic form.

In paper form, the documents must be submitted either in person by the applicant or by postal mail.

If the documents are submitted by a representative, an original or notarized copy of the document confirming the representative’s authority must also be provided.

All documents must be prepared in the state language—Ukrainian—and may additionally be translated into another language at the applicant’s request (excluding the application for state registration).

The application for state registration must be signed by the applicant. If the application is submitted by postal mail, the applicant’s signature must be notarized.

Documents issued in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country must be legalized (consular legalization or apostille) in the manner prescribed by law, unless otherwise provided by international treaties.

Any document prepared in a foreign language must be translated into the state language, with the accuracy of the translation certified.

In certain cases, obtaining a business license is required to start operations. The list of business activities subject to licensing is defined by the Law of Ukraine “On Licensing of Types of Economic Activity”.