Ukraine at a glance
Ukraine is one of the EU jurisdictions founders most often use today, especially while the EU-wide 28th Regime (EU Inc) is still a proposal. Below are the verified essentials: company types, tax, capital, timing and whether you can set up remotely.
Company types in Ukraine
- TOV (limited liability company) The most common form for foreign investors: liability limited to contributions, no statutory minimum capital, one or more shareholders, and 100% foreign ownership allowed.
- FOP (individual entrepreneur) A sole trader popular with IT freelancers for the simplified single-tax system, but it usually requires a Ukrainian tax ID and residence, so it rarely fits non-residents.
| Corporate tax | Standard corporate income tax is 18%, with no local surtax. IT companies in the Diia City regime can stay on 18% or elect a 9% tax on withdrawn (distributed) capital, paying tax only when profit is distributed. Higher rates apply to the financial sector. |
|---|---|
| VAT rate | Standard VAT is 20%, with reduced rates of 14% and 7% and 0% on exports. Registration is mandatory above UAH 1 million of taxable supplies. |
| Minimum share capital | No statutory minimum capital for a TOV; founders set the amount (it can be nominal) and pay it in within six months of registration. |
| Setup time | State registration of a TOV usually takes 1 to 3 business days; a foreign-owned turnkey setup runs about 3 to 7 business days, plus lead time to apostille and translate the foreign corporate documents. |
| Remote setup | Yes. A non-resident can incorporate fully remotely with a notarised, apostilled power of attorney to a local lawyer. One limit: a foreign individual cannot serve as director until a work or residence permit is issued, so a Ukrainian-resident director is often appointed for registration. |
| Director / residency | Founders and shareholders can be any resident or non-resident with full foreign ownership, but the director must be a Ukrainian citizen or a foreigner holding a residence or work permit; nominee directors are not allowed. UBO disclosure is mandatory. |
| Banking options | A Ukrainian corporate account is required; international and commercial banks such as Raiffeisen Bank Aval and Citibank are more flexible for non-resident founders than the large state banks. The director or an authorised signatory is usually expected in person. |
| Our formation service | from around €100 to €200 (estimated). You get a fixed quote in your free plan before you commit. |
Ukraine is not an EU member; it is an official EU candidate (status granted June 2022, accession talks opened June 2024), outside the EEA and EFTA, trading with the EU under the DCFTA. Its flagship draw for tech founders is Diia City, a special IT regime offering 5% personal income tax, a 9% withdrawn-capital tax option and investor-friendly structuring. The country operates under martial law, yet registration, banking and tax continue to function. The currency is the hryvnia.
How to register a company in Ukraine
The process is straightforward and, in Ukraine, largely digital. In outline:
- Choose your company type and name. Most founders pick the TOV (LLC); we confirm the name is available.
- Verify your identity. Yes. A non-resident can incorporate fully remotely with a notarised, apostilled power of attorney to a local lawyer. One limit: a foreign individual cannot serve as director until a work or residence permit is issued, so a Ukrainian-resident director is often appointed for registration.
- File the incorporation. Once documents are signed, registration usually completes in around 1-3 days.
- Open a business account and register for tax/VAT. A Ukrainian corporate account is required; international and commercial banks such as Raiffeisen Bank Aval and Citibank are more flexible for non-resident founders than the large state banks. The director or an authorised signatory is usually expected in person.
We handle each step with licensed local counsel, so the paperwork, registered address and filings are done correctly the first time.
Form your Ukrainian company in days
Tell us where you live and what you are building. Our formation service starts from around €100 to €200 (estimated); we confirm the right structure for Ukraine, give you a fixed quote, and form the company with licensed counsel.
Get your free planWho can form a company in Ukraine
Founders from outside the EU can own and run a Ukrainian company, with the cross-border requirements handled for you. We flag any residency or local-agent rule for Ukraine up front, so there are no surprises.
Ukraine and the 28th Regime (EU Inc)
EU Inc, the proposed 28th Regime, would let you register one company valid across all 27 EU member states. It is not law yet (expected around 2027-2028), so a Ukrainian company is one of the ready options you can use today. Forming an EU company now also positions you to adopt EU Inc later, as we cover in how to prepare an EU Inc company. To weigh Ukraine against other countries, see company formation in Europe.