Establishing a Security Company in Ukraine as a Foreigner: Can You Obtain a License with a Foreign Security Specialist?

The growing demand for security services in Ukraine is attracting not only local entrepreneurs but also international professionals, as this sector offers substantial profit opportunities. Recently, we were approached by a Czech citizen with significant military experience, who was interested in establishing a security company in Ukraine. He intended to serve as the director and personally oversee the security operations. This raised the issue of obtaining a license to operate in this sector. In our initial legal consultation, we identified two main questions:

• Can a foreign national obtain a security license as a company director, and what are the requirements?
• Can a foreigner act as a specialist in organizing security operations, even with extensive experience in foreign military services?

Our team has extensive experience working with foreign business owners, particularly in the security sector, and we have successfully assisted many in establishing their businesses in Ukraine. Drawing on our expertise, we were able to resolve our client’s inquiries efficiently. In this article, we will share insights from this case, providing detailed answers to questions that will likely be of interest to anyone looking to start a security business in Ukraine, as well as foreign professionals aiming to apply their experience in this field. 

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Can a Foreigner Be the Director of a Security Company in Ukraine?

Yes, a foreign national can serve as the director of a security company in Ukraine. However, they must first obtain a taxpayer identification number (TIN) and a work permit in Ukraine. It’s important to note that these requirements are not specific to the license itself, but are necessary for the company to operate in full compliance with Ukrainian law. Without a TIN, a foreigner cannot be registered as a director in the Unified State Register (USR). The TIN is typically obtained before the company is registered, while the work permit is secured after the company’s registration.

In practice, this means the company will need a temporary director for at least two weeks while the work permit is being processed. Therefore, if a foreign national wishes to establish a company in Ukraine, including a security firm, certain preparatory steps must be taken. In most cases, legal assistance within Ukraine is essential to ensure the proper documentation, permits, and registration procedures are completed correctly. Our legal firm is ready to provide this assistance. We will handle all necessary preparatory work and register the security company “turnkey,” including obtaining the security license. 

Can a foreigner act as a specialist in organizing security operations?

Can a foreigner with extensive experience in foreign military services serve as a security operations specialist in Ukraine? Unfortunately, under Ukrainian law, the specialist (manager) responsible for organizing security operations must be a Ukrainian citizen. This means that even if a foreigner establishes a security company in Ukraine and serves as its director, they cannot personally hold the position of security operations specialist. They will need to hire a Ukrainian national for this role, someone who meets all the licensing requirements.

Our client, despite his significant experience in foreign military forces, could not serve as the security operations specialist in Ukraine. However, this did not stand in the way of his goals. We were able to assist by providing qualified security specialists who are Ukrainian citizens and meet the necessary licensing criteria. By engaging these professionals, we successfully helped our client obtain the security license and seamlessly start his business.

If you are also interested in obtaining a security license, please contact our legal firm. We can explain the specific requirements for operating a security company in Ukraine, drawing on our more than 15 years of experience in the field. Our team will manage the entire process of setting up your company, obtaining all necessary documents, including the work permit for a foreign director, and expediting the security license. In addition, we offer ongoing legal and accounting services to ensure your business remains stable and fully compliant with all regulatory requirements.

Reach out to us for professional support at every stage of developing your security company, and enjoy the confidence of running your business smoothly in Ukraine!

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