info@dlf.ua · +380 44 384 24 54
Practice area · Ukraine & DACH
One German-speaking point of contact that coordinates your legal and tax matters in Ukraine, from market entry to disputes, in close cooperation with your advisers at home.
THE PRACTICE
The DLF German Desk serves companies and investors from Germany, Austria and Switzerland that do business in Ukraine. We advise in German across all practice areas, so you deal with one team that understands both your home jurisdiction and Ukrainian law. We advise in German, English and Ukrainian.
German-speaking businesses often face the same problem in Ukraine. The matter touches corporate, tax, employment and real estate law at the same time, and each adviser speaks a different language and sees only part of the picture. The German Desk removes that friction. One team coordinates the relevant DLF practices for you and reports back in your language.
As a member of the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Ukraine) and of the CBBL and DIRO networks, we coordinate the Ukrainian side directly with your lawyers, tax advisers and auditors in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. We also publish regularly on doing business in Ukraine with regional German chambers of commerce and industry (IHK) and industry associations across the DACH region. Our team has advised German-speaking businesses in Ukraine for more than 15 years. For you this means local expertise without a language or culture barrier.
The German Desk is headed by Igor Dykunskyy, LL.M., Partner, who studied law in both Ukraine and Germany. Since 2021, he has also served as a trusted legal advisor to the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.
WHAT WE DO
Choosing the right legal form, registering a Ukrainian company, opening a bank account and meeting beneficial-owner (UBO) requirements. Registration of a limited liability company, the ukr. GmbH (TOW), generally happens within one working day after the application is filed, while the full setup usually takes about a week (including opening a bank account).
Learn more →Drafting and reviewing contracts with Ukrainian counterparties, day-to-day advice and compliance. We support the conclusion of supply, distribution and service agreements so that the terms work under Ukrainian law.
Learn more →Determining the applicable tax treatment, questions around the Germany-Ukraine, Austria-Ukraine, Switzerland-Ukraine double tax treaties (DTT) and coordination with your own tax adviser (Steuerberater). For holding, intra-group financing and licensing arrangements, we develop solutions tailored to your needs, generally subject to what the Tax Code and any applicable treaty provide.
Learn more →Hiring staff in Ukraine, employment contracts and work permits for expatriate managers. We advise on the obligations of a Ukrainian employer and on residence matters for your posted employees.
Learn more →Acquiring or leasing commercial property, land questions and the protection of foreign investment. We carry out legal due diligence on the asset and structure the transaction.
Learn more →Litigation before Ukrainian courts, arbitration and the recognition of foreign judgments and arbitral awards. If needed and so instructed, we represent you in disputes that arise from your activities in Ukraine.
Learn more →OUR PROCESS
We review your documents and situation and give a first legal assessment within two business days, free of charge.
You receive a clear plan, options and a fixed or capped fee proposal before any work starts.
A partner leads the matter; you get regular updates in English, German or Ukrainian.
We close the matter with a summary and remain available for follow-up questions.
WHY US
Advising foreign investors since 2009.
English, German and Ukrainian, in-house.
From family businesses to listed groups.
CBBL, AHK, MSI Global Alliance, DIRO.
THE TEAM
Partner, Attorney
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Counsel, Attorney-at-law
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Counsel
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Counsel
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Counsel
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RECOGNITION
GOOD TO KNOW
Yes. The German Desk advises in German at every stage, from the first call to signing. Our written advice, contracts and correspondence are also available in German. We advise in German, English and Ukrainian.
No. A Ukrainian company can generally be set up remotely, on the basis of a notarised power of attorney granted to us or to a local representative. Registration of a limited liability company usually takes place within one working day after the application is filed.
Germany and Ukraine have a double tax treaty (DTT) that generally governs which country may tax a given income and reduces withholding tax, unless the Tax Code provides otherwise. We determine the applicable treatment for your specific case and prepare the necessary residence certificates.
Yes. As a member of the CBBL and DIRO networks, we coordinate the Ukrainian side directly with your tax adviser (Steuerberater) and lawyers at home. Where you need accounting or audit support in Ukraine, we recommend English-speaking or German-speaking accountants and auditors we have worked with for many years.
Registration of a limited liability company generally happens within one working day after the application is filed, and the full setup takes about a week (including opening a bank account). Work permits for foreign employees follow a separate procedure, and we advise on the timeline for your specific case.
Yes. DLF advises clients on an ongoing basis during martial law. We advise on the additional rules that currently apply, for example to currency transactions and cross-border payments, so that your operations in Ukraine stay compliant.
NEXT STEP
Tell us briefly about your situation. A partner will reply within one business day.
Need legal advice in Ukraine? Talk to us.
