LLC registration is a foundation, not a button in Diia
People often ask me why pay a lawyer if you can open an LLC yourself. Honestly, you really can do the registration itself on your own.
The problem is elsewhere. Activity codes get picked at random, and then some clients are out of reach because your activity doesn't fit them. The tax system is chosen by guesswork, and you overpay every month. And the model articles tie your hands the moment a partner or investor comes in. Turnkey LLC registration means these decisions are made before filing.
What turnkey LLC registration includes
- A call and the ownership structure. Who the founders are, what the shares are, who the director is.
- Articles tailored to your business. Instead of the model ones, which know nothing about your partners.
- Founder's decision or minutes of the meeting.
- Choosing activity codes for what you do now and in the coming years.
- Choosing the tax system and applying for the single tax, if it suits you.
- Filing for state registration and the register extract.
Sole proprietor or LLC: what to choose
The main difference is liability. A sole proprietor (FOP) is liable for debts with all their personal assets, an LLC with what was put into the company. If you're on your own and risks and turnover are small, a FOP is often enough. If you have partners, an investor or plans to grow, you need an LLC.
| Sole proprietor (FOP) | LLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | With all personal assets | With what was put into the company |
| Partners and investors | No way to give a share | Shares in the authorised capital |
| Taxes | Single tax, groups 1–3 | Group 3 single tax or the general system |
| Accounting | Simpler | Needs an accountant |
| Who it suits | On your own, small risks | Partners, risks, plans to grow |
I've written about the choice in detail in the article Sole proprietor or LLC: what to choose so you don't overpay. And if you've decided a FOP is enough for now, here's sole proprietor registration in Lviv.
How much LLC registration costs
The price depends on the structure. One founder and a standard activity is the simplest case. What adds work:
| Situation | What changes |
|---|---|
| One founder | Basic turnkey registration |
| Several founders | Articles with shares, voting and member exit |
| Shareholder agreement | A separate document between the members |
| Foreign founder | Translation of documents, tax number, power of attorney |
Why you shouldn't take the model articles
The model articles are simple and free. But they don't know how you and your partner split profits, what happens when someone wants out, or whether the director needs a salary. When two friends split a business 60/40 and the director with 40% disappears, it's the articles that decide whether the other partner can do anything.
With several founders I also recommend a shareholder agreement: it describes what to do in a conflict while you're still friends.
How it works
Your part: an ID document and one signature. The rest of the arrows are mine.
Law of Ukraine “On Limited and Additional Liability Companies” (articles, authorised capital, shares, member exit); Law of Ukraine “On State Registration of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Associations” (procedure and documents); Tax Code of Ukraine, simplified taxation system (single tax).
Frequently asked questions about LLC registration
How much does LLC registration in Lviv cost?
From €150 turnkey. I give the exact amount after a short call: it depends on the number of founders and the articles.
How long does LLC registration take?
3–5 days, if the documents are ready. The registration itself is quicker; the preparation takes longer.
What is the minimum authorised capital?
The law sets no minimum. The capital must be paid in within six months of registration, unless the articles say otherwise.
How many founders can an LLC have?
From one to a hundred.
Which tax system should I choose?
If you don't choose anything, the LLC will be on the general system with 18% corporate profit tax. Most small companies are better off on the group 3 single tax: 5% of revenue, or 3% with VAT. We run the numbers before registration.
Can an LLC be registered remotely, or by a foreigner?
Yes, by power of attorney. A foreigner first needs a Ukrainian tax number and translated documents. More on the “Business for foreigners” page.
Does the director have to be paid a salary?
Not always. If there's one founder, they can run the company without an employment contract, but this has to be written into the articles. The model articles can't do that.
The client wanted to open a company in Ukraine without dealing with paperwork. Everything turnkey: structure, documents, registration. The company is registered.
Read the case →After registering an LLC, it's worth securing the name as a trademark and preparing contracts with clients. Foreign founder? See how to get a residence permit on the basis of a business.