4 June 2026
Types of Companies in Ukraine
The main types of companies in Ukraine are listed here by our team. Contact us if you want to open a company in Ukraine.
Local and foreign investors can choose between several types of companies in Ukraine. Our team can help you incorporate any business form and will guide you throughout all the essential steps required for company formation in Ukraine.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Main business forms in Ukraine | – limited liability company; – joint-stock company; – partnership (general or limited); – sole trader; – cooperative. |
| Restrictions for foreign investors for any of the available forms | Not the case, except restrictions on persons linked to Russia under martial law |
| Most commonly used business form | The limited liability company (LLC) |
| Limited company | The most widely used business form. It offers limited liability for its founders and it is a separate legal entity. |
| Partnership | Formed by two or more partners. It can be limited or general, with the main difference being in the partner’s level of liability. |
| Sole trader | A simple type of entity, with no separation between the founder and the business. |
| Branch | An extension of a foreign company. The parent company is liable for its Ukrainian branch. |
| Representative office | Cannot be used to derive income from Ukraine. It can engage in non-commercial activities (market research, business liaisons, etc.) |
| Founder liability | Depending on the chosen business form |
| Minimum share capital | No minimum for the LLC and other simple business forms. Conditions apply to the joint-stock company. |
| Bank account | Opened in Ukraine |
| Residency requirements | Foreign investors are not conditioned to become residents to open a business. However, their stay in the country for the duration of the incorporation (and afterward) must be based on a proper visa and residence permit. |
| Mandatory presence in Ukraine | Not for many of the company incorporation steps. These can be handled via our local agents. |
| Assistance for choosing the business form in Ukraine | Our team offers complete guidance for foreign investors looking to select a suitable business form. |
| Assistance for those who have additional questions after choosing the business form | Upon request |
What types of business forms can I open in Ukraine?
If you want to open a company in Ukraine, you can choose between the main business forms:
- Limited liability company: suitable for small or medium business ventures, these can be set up by one or more investors and offer limited liability (according to the amount of capital invested in the business);
- Joint-stock company: shares many of their characteristics with the limited liability company (including the most important one, referring to the founder’s limited liability), but are more suitable for large corporations as they can be listed on the stock exchange;
- Partnership: can be general (when the founders are fully liable) or limited (when one of the founders is fully liable and the others enjoy limited liability);
- Branch: an extension of a foreign company, it is set up in Ukraine to perform the same business activities, and it is not perceived as a separate business from the parent company abroad.
The infographic below contains information about the business types in Ukraine:
Are there any limitations for foreign investors opening a company in Ukraine?
No. Foreign entrepreneurs enjoy the same rights for company creation in Ukraine as local investors. Full foreign ownership is permitted.
How do I choose the business form in Ukraine?
Some criteria for making this choice are briefly outlined below by our team:
- The available capital;
- The number of investors;
- The plans for expansion, among others.
What is the most used business form in Ukraine?
The limited liability company. This is because it offers a set of clear advantages for this business form, namely:
- -No mandatory minimum authorized capital;
- -Limited liability for all the company’s founders: they are not risking their own assets, only the amount contributed to the company’s authorized capital;
- -No limitations on nationality for the founders and no conditions for residency in Ukraine for foreign shareholders or directors;
- -The option to have natural or legal persons as founders.
Must I be present in Ukraine to open one of the available business forms?
Not necessarily. When working with our local team of company formation experts, we offer two options:
- Standard incorporation for which you will plan a visit to Ukraine during the company setup phase;
- Fully remote company incorporation in Ukraine, using a nominee temporary director. Investors should note that this registration route involves additional costs.
How much does it cost to open a company in Ukraine?
Company formation costs depend on the selected business form.
Our team charges the following for the incorporation of a Ukrainian LLC:
- -1,050 USD for the one-time company registration fee;
- -1,000 USD for nominal director services (used when the foreign investor cannot travel to Ukraine for the company formation process);
- -250 USD monthly nominee director fee (applicable when the foreign company founder maintains the nominee directorship arrangement with our team for the purpose of remote banking and company management).
What documents must I provide when opening a company in Ukraine?
The following are provided by the shareholders:
- -Local and foreign investors are required to provide valid identification documents (passport copy for foreign entrepreneurs);
- -Ukrainian tax number (can be applied for and obtained with the help of our team for foreign shareholders and/or directors);
- -Official trade registry extract in the case of a legal person shareholder (translated and apostilled/legalized as the case may be).
For the company incorporation process, the company’s Articles of Association, proof of local registered address (most commonly, based in Kyiv), and the company registration application form are, at a minimum, the mandatory documents.
Contact our team that can help you open a company in Ukraine irrespective of the chosen business form.
This article only briefly lists the main business forms in Ukraine. You can find out more details from our partners: Lawyers Ukraine, Firmengründung in Ukraine, Регистрация компании Украина.