Registration of a foreign company in Ukraine
Cost of services
Reviews of our Clients
What we offer
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Assisting in determining the most appropriate structure for your case, whether a representative office of a foreign company or a subsidiary in the form of an LLC;
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Advising on matters related to the registration of a representative office, the specifics of its legal status and operations;
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Preparing a draft resolution of the parent company to establish the representative office, registration applications, a power of attorney for the head of the representative office, and other documents to be signed by the parent company;
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Coordinating draft documents of the foreign company with the state registrar prior to execution, if necessary;
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Submitting registration documents and providing legal support for the “turnkey” registration process of the representative office.
Key documents for registration
Documents Required for Registering a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Ukraine
To register a representative office of a foreign company in Ukraine, the following documents are required:
- Registration application (prepared by our firm).
- Certificate of incorporation of the parent company (provided by the foreign company). This document must be duly certified in the country of issuance. In most cases, it must be either apostilled or legalized. Only a limited number of countries that have relevant treaty arrangements with Ukraine do not require an apostille or legalization; in such cases, a stamp from the issuing authority or notarization is sufficient.
- Copy of the passport(s) of the ultimate beneficial owner(s);
- Power of attorney for the head of the representative office, duly certified (apostille/legalization/stamp of the issuing authority). Our firm provides a draft.
- Resolution or minutes of the meeting of the foreign company approving the establishment of the representative office and appointing its head. Our firm provides a draft.
- Lease agreement for non-residential premises (required for informational purposes);
- Power of attorney for our lawyers, duly certified (apostille/legalization/stamp of the issuing authority). Our firm provides a draft.
Our legal team provides templates for the parent company's resolution to establish a representative office in Ukraine, a power of attorney for the head of the representative office, and a power of attorney authorizing our employees to handle the registration process.
The document confirming the registration of the parent company is typically an extract from the trade, banking, or commercial court register of the company’s country of incorporation.
A copy of the lease agreement for the office premises is not submitted to the state registrar. However, the address must be current and suitable for receiving official correspondence.
Can the representative office use a formal address? Yes. If you do not require a physical office for staff operations, a formal legal address is sufficient. In this case, it is advisable to conclude an agreement with a postal service provider and arrange for mail handling by a third party authorized to receive correspondence on your behalf.
If needed, we can provide a legal address, enter into a postal service agreement with you, and receive any correspondence addressed to your representative office from tax authorities, etc.
Registration Process for a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Ukraine
If you are searching online for information on registering a representative office of a foreign company in Ukraine, exercise caution and carefully check the publication date. At the end of 2024, the procedure underwent significant changes that have fundamentally altered the registration process. What has changed?
- Representative offices are no longer registered through the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. This function has been transferred to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
- Registration can now be completed not only through the Ministry of Justice but also via a state registrar, which significantly simplifies the procedure.
- A certificate of registration is no longer issued. Instead, all relevant information is entered into the Unified State Register.
Thus, it is no longer necessary to wait 20 business days for the Ministry of Economy to issue the long-awaited certificate of registration, nor is it necessary to visit the State Statistics Service with that certificate and a large set of documents to obtain a certificate with the EDRPOU code. To register a representative office of a foreign company, it is now sufficient to apply directly to a state registrar and submit the package of documents previously outlined.
What about representative offices that were already registered? Amendments to previously registered representative offices can also be made through a state registrar. However, there is an important nuance: the Ministry of Justice must first enter information about the representative office into the Unified State Register. Initially, it was intended that the Ministry of Justice would gradually enter information about all existing representative offices into the Register. However, as this process has not yet been fully completed, it is possible to independently initiate the entry by filing directly with the Ministry of Justice.
It is also important to emphasize that regardless of changes in the registration procedure, foreign companies must still register with the State Tax Inspectorate and obtain a certificate in Form 34-ОПП.
Timeframe for Registering a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Ukraine
The timeframe for registering a representative office of a foreign company in Ukraine is three business days. This covers the registration in the Unified State Register. Additionally, up to seven business days should be allowed for the registration of the foreign company with the State Tax Service and the issuance of the Form 34-ОПП certificate.
Please note! The calculation of the timeframe for the registration of a representative office of a foreign legal company begins only after the client provides all signed documents and requested information.
Service packages offers
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Analysis of the client's situation and responding to their inquiries within the service, such as:
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Which option is preferable: representation or another organizational-legal form in your specific case?
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What type of representation is advisable to choose: permanent or non-permanent?
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Details of the representation registration procedure, its legal status, and operation
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Providing an optimal action plan from a legal perspective
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Consultation on the registration of a representative office, including its legal status and operational aspects
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Drafting of the parent company's decision regarding the establishment of the representative office, registration applications, power of attorney for the head, etc
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Coordination with the Ministry of Economic Development of the foreign company's document drafts prior to their signing
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Submission of documents and assistance with the registration process at the Ministry of Economic Development
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Registration with the State Tax Service and Statistical Office
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All services included in the "Consultation" package
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All services included in the "Standard" package
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Obtaining an identification number for the representative office's manager (if they are not a Ukrainian citizen)
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Opening a bank account for the representative office
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Foreign Representative Office in Ukraine?
The cost of services for registering a representative office of a foreign company in Ukraine is determined individually, depending on the scope of legal support, the complexity of the document package, and any related tasks (such as assistance with tax registration, obtaining a tax identification number (TIN), etc.). Note: The service fee for registering a foreign representative office in Ukraine does not include:
- Notarial certification costs
- Translation of foreign documents into Ukrainian
- State duties
There is currently no official state fee for registering a representative office.
You can get a specific cost estimate for registering a representative office in your case by contacting our specialists by phone or through any other convenient means.
Why us
Our successful projects
Additional Information on Registering a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Ukraine
Although the process of registering representative offices of foreign enterprises in Ukraine has been significantly simplified and accelerated, the preparatory stage, namely, the preparation and certification of documents, remains meticulous. The documents of the foreign (parent) company must be drafted with proper legal accuracy and duly certified.
Other important considerations when establishing a representative office of a foreign company in Ukraine:
- A foreign representative office is not a separate legal entity; it operates on behalf of the foreign company.
- If foreign nationals are employed at the representative office and intend to reside in Ukraine, they must obtain a temporary residence permit; however, a work permit is not required.
- Previously, only the representative office needed to be registered with the tax authorities. Now, the State Tax Inspectorate and the State Statistics Service automatically register the representative office, similar to the registration procedure for an LLC. The parent company must be separately registered with the State Tax Inspectorate and obtain a Form 34-ОПП certificate.
Answers to frequently asked questions
What is better to choose: a representative office or a subsidiary in the form of an LLC?
The choice depends on the objectives for entering the Ukrainian market. For example, if the goal is to familiarize Ukrainian consumers with the activities and products of the parent company, a representative office is sufficient. If the intended activity in Ukraine is subject to licensing, a legal entity is required. In such cases, an LLC is the most suitable option. Representative offices cannot obtain licenses, as they are not separate legal entities. The only exception was a construction license, but even that is currently not being issued.
Can a representative office in Ukraine operate based on permits issued to the parent company in its country of incorporation?
No, it cannot. Licenses and permits issued to the parent company in its country of incorporation are not valid in Ukraine.
How complicated is it to register a foreign company in Ukraine?
First, it is important to clarify the terminology. In general, a foreign company is any company registered outside the jurisdiction of Ukraine. However, sometimes this term refers to the registration of a foreign company with the State Tax Inspectorate, which is mandatory when establishing a representative office in Ukraine. Additionally, the term is often used to refer to a "foreign enterprise," that is, a Ukrainian company established in the territory of Ukraine and in accordance with Ukrainian law, but whose sole member is a foreign individual or foreign company.
Do we provide services for registering a foreign company in Ukraine?
Regardless of what is meant by this term, we indeed provide services for registering companies abroad, establishing representative offices of foreign companies in Ukraine, and creating companies with 100% foreign ownership. The registration of a foreign enterprise in Ukraine (that is, the establishment of a company where 100% of the share capital is owned by foreigners) is a separate service. This process is essentially the creation of a legal entity. If you are interested in establishing a legal entity in Ukraine, for example, in the form of an LLC, you can find more detailed information on this page: https://pravdop.com/en/registraciya-ooo-v-kieve/
Legal Consultation on Registering a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Ukraine
Although the procedure for registering a representative office of a foreign company in Ukraine has recently been simplified, it may still be complex for those unfamiliar with the legal nuances of the process. Even more challenging is understanding what steps to take after registration: how to employ staff, which reports must be submitted, and other important aspects.
If you want to navigate this stage confidently and avoid mistakes, we recommend consulting our legal experts. During our legal consultation, you will receive a step-by-step action plan tailored to the specifics of your business, ensuring the achievement of your goals. Our specialist will provide comprehensive answers to key questions related to the activities of your future representative office, such as:
- How can the head of the representative office be employed if they are a foreign national?
- How do you hire staff for the representative office?
- Which reports must be filed and at what intervals?
By contacting us, you can also receive consultation on the specifics of the taxation of a representative office of a foreign company and the available options for tax optimization.
We offer consultations online via Zoom or WhatsApp, allowing you to receive professional assistance without the need to visit our office.
Note: If you have a complex project or wish to receive additional tax or other specialized advice, our lawyers can provide you with a more detailed consultation in the form of a "Roadmap."
Legal Services for Registering a Representative Office of a Foreign Legal Entity
You have decided to open a representative office in Ukraine. What next? It is now crucial to properly organize the registration process and other related procedures. With the support of our law firm’s specialists, you will be able to complete the registration process smoothly and without unnecessary complications. We not only handle the registration of the representative office but also provide full legal support throughout the entire process.
Once we agree on the timeline and service fees, we will sign an agreement and immediately begin work.
What Do You Gain by Working with Us?
- Fast registration: We prepare the complete package of documents required for submission to the state registrar for the registration of the representative office and subsequently obtain an extract from the Unified State Register, which confirms the registration of your representative office.
- Convenience and security: Upon completion of the registration process within the agreed timeframe, we deliver the finalized documents to the client. If you are located in another region, we will send the documents by courier, saving you the time and effort of traveling.
- Additional services: If necessary, we can arrange the translation of documents into Ukrainian through our trusted partner translators.
We can also assist with:
- Obtaining a tax identification number (TIN) for the foreign head of the representative office
- Providing legal and accounting support for the representative office
- Obtaining permits and licenses
- Making amendments to the representative office’s registration documents
Why Choose Us?
Services for non-residents and foreign companies are one of our firm’s core areas of focus. We have been working with foreign companies for many years and know exactly how to make the process as simple and convenient for you as possible.
Many of our regular clients are foreign businesses and individuals who are already successfully operating in Ukraine. You can read their feedback on our website and Google profile.
What Sets Us Apart?
- Speed, efficiency, and security: We guarantee fast and effective resolution of your matter without unnecessary complications. Security at every stage of the process is our top priority, so you can be confident in the results we deliver, with no risks or unforeseen issues.
- Top-level communication: With us, you will never have to search for your client manager. They are always available and ready to keep you updated 24/7, providing all necessary information whenever you need it.
- Clarity and accessibility: We avoid complex legal jargon and lengthy “reports” during consultations. All information is presented clearly and understandably, enabling you to fully grasp the process and make informed decisions.
If you want to start the process and register a representative office of a foreign company in Ukraine quickly and easily, call us or submit an online request through our website today!
We are ready to help you!
Contact us by mail [email protected] or by filling out the form:Our publications on this matter
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