Corporate, Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution · Corporate Law
Media Registration in Ukraine
Media registration in Ukraine establishes the formal basis for publishing and distributing a registered media product and for carrying out the editorial and publishing functions. Registration planning should begin with the media format, founder, distribution territory, title and advertising model.
Source material treats newspapers, magazines, websites and other periodicals issued under a permanent title as media and describes registration as the procedure supporting collection, processing, editing, preparation and distribution of information.
Registration Framework
Source material refers to the Ukrainian legislation governing printed mass media and identifies the founder as the person or group of co-founders that establishes the publication. Printed media covered by that regime should be registered in the prescribed manner.
Registration Process
Registration may take at least 30 days. The standard process includes:
preparation of the application and power of attorney; for an individual, identification and tax-number information may also be required, while a legal entity provides its charter and register extract;
information on the title, publication volume, distribution territory, publisher, registered address and subject matter;
filing with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine or the relevant territorial authority;
procedural follow-up until a decision is made;
payment of the applicable state fee and receipt of the registration certificate.
For nationwide distribution, the source material refers to a state fee calculated as 50 non-taxable minimum incomes. Charitable publications intended for free distribution are described as exempt from that fee.
The source material also discusses registration of a website as media and notes a separate treatment for advertising media where advertising occupies more than 20% of the publication area, including a possible fivefold increase in the fee.
Support During Registration and Re-Registration
review of the planned media model and founder information;
preparation of documents required by the competent authority;
filing and communication with the Ministry of Justice or territorial authority;
registration of an online or printed media project where the relevant procedure applies;
control of each stage of document review and receipt of the registration document;
re-registration where material information about an existing media outlet changes.
Media registration strategy in Ukraine should connect the publication format, founder, distribution model and advertising structure with the correct filing procedure. Clear preparation at the start reduces delays and creates a documented basis for operating and earning revenue from the media project.
Registration of Print Media in Ukraine
What Changed in 2026
Print media registration in Ukraine is governed by the Law of Ukraine “On Media” and the registration procedure administered by the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine. On 23 July 2026, the National Council adopted Decision No. 1937 updating the procedure for filing registration applications and the relevant application forms.
The general legal regime for print media is established by the Law of Ukraine “On Media”, including special rules that apply in circumstances provided by law during armed aggression.
Print Media Registration
As a general rule, registration of print media with the National Council is voluntary.
Section IX of the Law “On Media” provides that from the moment the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recognises a particular state as an aggressor or occupying state and for five years after the decision cancelling that status, print media are subject to mandatory registration. During that period, registration with the National Council is a condition for carrying on the activity.
Print media registered before 31 March 2023 were required to complete re-registration under the new procedure within one year. Where re-registration was not completed, the registration certificate previously issued by the Ministry of Justice is treated as cancelled. To continue operating as registered media, a new registration procedure is required.
What is print media?
Print media in Ukraine are published in the state language.
They may also be published in other languages provided that a corresponding circulation in the state language is issued at the same time.
All language versions must use the same title, correspond in content, volume and printing method, use the same issue numbering and be released on the same day.
Which authority registers print media?
Since 31 March 2023, registration has been handled by the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine.
Before that date, print-media registration was handled by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
How is registration confirmed?
Registration is confirmed by entry of the relevant information in the Register of Media Entities.
Registration certificates are no longer issued.
Is there a state registration payment?
Yes. The payment is equal to one subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as at 1 January of the year in which the registration application is submitted.
Accordingly, the source states a 2026 registration payment of UAH 4,450.
When may print media begin operating?
Print media are treated as registered and may begin activity from the date on which their information is entered in the Register of Media Entities.
What should be determined before registration?
The source identifies the title; type of print media, such as newspaper, magazine, collection, bulletin, almanac, calendar or digest; publication frequency; and distribution territory, including specified administrative-territorial units, the territory of Ukraine or territory outside Ukraine.
The distribution method should also be identified, such as subscription, retail sale or another method.
Must print media previously registered by the Ministry of Justice register again?
Such print media had to complete re-registration by 31 March 2024.
Where that was not completed, a new registration as print media is required.
What information must each issue contain?
Each issue must state the official or registered title of the print media, the sequential issue number and publication date, the publication index where distributed by subscription, the circulation of the relevant issue and the media identifier in the Register where the media are registered.
Registered print-media entities must send the National Council control copies of each issue electronically where available and, at the National Council's request, provide a control copy of a specified issue in printed form without charge.
Can information in the Register be amended?
Yes. The registrant must apply to the National Council within 10 days for amendments connected with reorganisation and/or changes in ownership structure and for other changes requiring amendment of the Register.
The payment for amending the Register is one subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as at 1 January of the year in which the application is filed.
Within one month after receiving the application and confirmation of payment, the National Council enters the relevant information in the Register.
For changes to the registered location or the head of the registrant, a separate notification rule applies.
The registrant must notify the National Council within five working days after such a change occurs and identify the changed information.
No payment is charged for those notifications.
Can print-media registration be cancelled?
Yes. Cancellation is initiated by filing the relevant application with the National Council.
Print Media Registration Procedure
Prepare the registration documents, sign the application and arrange payment of the applicable state fee.
Submit the documents to the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine.
Obtain confirmation of registration and entry of the print-media information in the Register of Media Entities.
Documents Required for Print Media Registration
The source identifies the original registration application; passport and taxpayer card where the founder is an individual, together with the notarised and translated form; and an extract from the Unified State Register (USR) and charter where the founder is a legal entity, together with the relevant notarised and translated copies.
Under the Law of Ukraine “On Media”, print media are media that distribute information in textual or visual form on printed media, use a consistent format and are published at intervals during the year as the relevant publication period arrives or material is accumulated.
Print media compliance in Ukraine therefore depends on the applicable registration status, correct Register information, mandatory issue details and timely notification of changes where the Law “On Media” requires them.
Registration of Online Media in Ukraine
What Changed in 2026
Online media registration in Ukraine is administered by the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine under the Law of Ukraine “On Media”. On 23 July 2026, the National Council adopted Decision No. 1937 amending the registration-application procedure and approving updated forms.
Online Media Registration
The Law “On Media” entered into force on 31 March 2023 and repealed the previous Law “On Information Agencies”. The former registered form of activity described as an “information agency” therefore ceased to exist under that regime.
Information agencies wishing to retain state-registered media status had one year to select the appropriate activity form and complete re-registration under the new law.
If this was not completed, the information-agency registration certificate previously issued by the Ministry of Justice is treated by the source as cancelled.
To restore registered status, the activity must be registered again as online media.
Registered online media is the closest current form to the former information-agency model.
Registration takes place through the National Council and is generally voluntary.
The source identifies several benefits of state registration for online media.
These include an official media status for the resource.
Registered media may rely on accreditation and professional-activity guarantees provided by the Law “On Media”.
The status may also allow participation in tenders and in co-regulatory bodies.
The source also describes a more liberal approach to sanctions for certain violations by registered media.
The new Law “On Media” changed the regulatory rules for media registration from 31 March 2023.
What is online media?
Online media are media that regularly distribute information in textual, audio, audiovisual or another electronic digital form through the Internet on their own website.
Online media in Ukraine are published in the state language.
Versions of Internet resources, including websites and social-network pages, may also be made available in other languages alongside the state-language version.
The state-language version must contain no less information in volume and content than the foreign-language versions and must load by default for users in Ukraine.
Is state registration mandatory?
Registration of online-media entities is voluntary and is carried out under the Law “On Media”.
However, registration becomes necessary for certain purposes, including participation in tenders.
What requirements apply to registered online media?
Registered online-media entities must publish and regularly update on their website or online profile the official or registered name of the online media and its identifier in the Register.
Is there a state registration payment?
Yes. The payment equals one subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as at 1 January of the year in which the application is filed.
For 2026, the source states the payment as UAH 3,328.
Must a former information agency re-register?
Yes. Information agencies had to re-register as online media by 31 March 2024.
After that date, certificates of state registration of an information agency as an information-activity entity ceased to have effect.
What should be determined before registration?
Before filing, the applicant should determine the online-media name; type; IP address or range of IP addresses from which the service is distributed; domain names through which the media will be available, including information on the relevant domain registrants; and the territory in which the service will be provided.
Can information in the Register be amended?
Yes. The registrant must apply to the National Council within 10 days for amendments connected with reorganisation and/or changes in ownership structure and for other changes requiring amendment of the Register.
The amendment payment is one subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as at 1 January of the year in which the application is filed.
Within one month after receiving the application and confirmation of payment, the National Council enters the relevant information in the Register.
Changes to the registered location or the head of the registrant are subject to a separate notification procedure.
The registrant must notify the National Council within five working days after such a change occurs and identify the changed information.
Can online-media registration be cancelled?
Yes. Registration may be cancelled by filing the relevant application with the National Council.
Online Media Registration Procedure
Prepare the online-media registration documents, sign the application and arrange payment of the applicable state fee.
Submit the documents to the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine.
Obtain registration confirmation and complete the corresponding Register entry.
Documents Required for Online Media Registration
Application for registration of online media. Original.
Passport and taxpayer card. Original plus notarised copy with Ukrainian translation and notarisation of the translator's signature for the individual or FOP (Individual Entrepreneur) registering the online media.
Extract from the Unified State Register (USR) and charter. Supporting documents of the legal entity on the basis of which the online media will be registered, in the form.
Passport and taxpayer card. Required where the founder of the registering legal entity is an individual, in the notarised and translated form.
USR extract and charter. Notarised copy where the founder of the registering legal entity is another legal entity.
No payment is charged for the separate notification of changes to location or head described above.
Online media registration can be cancelled by application to the National Council, while continued registered status requires the media entity to keep its public and Register information consistent with the requirements.
Registration of a Non-Linear Media Service (Video-on-Demand Service) in Ukraine
What Changed in 2026
Non-linear media service registration in Ukraine applies to qualifying video-on-demand services operating under the Law of Ukraine “On Media”. On 23 July 2026, the National Council adopted Decision No. 1937 updating the procedure and forms for registration of media entities.
Non-Linear Media Service Registration
| Media type | Non-linear media service | Online media |
|---|---|---|
| Content type | Audiovisual programmes (video) | Text, audio, video and other formats |
| Distribution | Any platform with a video catalogue | Own website, social networks or messengers |
| Registration | Mandatory | Voluntary |
| Registration authority | National Council | National Council |
| State registration fee | UAH 4,450 | UAH 4,450 |
| Registration period | Up to 30 calendar days | Up to 30 calendar days |
| Eligible registrant | Legal entity or FOP (Individual Entrepreneur) | Legal entity, FOP or individual |
Bloggers who publish personal content or reposts on a non-systematic basis do not need this registration.
What is a non-linear audiovisual media service?
The source refers to paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Media” No. 2849-IX.
Under that provision, a non-linear audiovisual media service, also described as an on-demand audiovisual media service, provides access to audiovisual programmes for viewing at a time selected by the user and on the user's individual request, based on a programme catalogue created by the relevant media entity.
In practical terms, it is a video library in which the viewer chooses what to watch and when.
The source identifies online cinemas and video-on-demand (VOD) platforms; streaming services with video catalogues; YouTube and TikTok channels with systematised video content under editorial control; sports, educational and entertainment video platforms; and other services providing user-selected access to a catalogue of audiovisual programmes.
Registration is mandatory for a legal entity or FOP that:
selects audiovisual programmes and organises them into a catalogue;
provides access to the catalogue on the individual request of a user;
exercises editorial control over the content.
Registration is not required where the person:
publishes personal video only on a non-systematic basis; reposts third-party content; maintains a page only to provide information on a company's activities; or does not exercise editorial control.
What must be determined before registration?
Before filing the application, the registrant should determine the media-service name; the type of service, whether audiovisual or audio on-demand media; the IP address or range of IP addresses used to provide access; domain names or URL addresses together with information on domain registrants; and the territory in which the service is provided.
Penalties for Operating Without Registration
The source refers to Article 110 of the Law “On Media” and describes activity without registration as a serious violation.
For 2026, The fine is 50 to 75 minimum salaries, corresponding to UAH 400,000 to UAH 600,000.
For other serious violations, the source likewise refers to a fine of 50 to 75 minimum salaries, and for significant violations to 30 to 40 minimum salaries.
Documents Required for Registration
An application for registration is an on-demand audiovisual media entity, which may be signed with a qualified electronic signature; a copy of the USR extract for the registering legal entity or FOP; an ownership-structure chart and information on ultimate beneficial owners where the registrant is a legal entity; and a copy of the passport or Ukrainian residence document where the registrant is a FOP.
A YouTube channel is already registered as online media. Is separate non-linear-media registration required?
These is two different statuses with different legal consequences.
Is registration required if the service is subscription-only?
Yes.
What European-content quota applies?
After registration, at least 30% of the catalogue must consist of European product, described as audiovisual works produced in European Union (EU) countries or in states that are parties to the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.
How much content must be in Ukrainian?
At least 25% of programmes and films in the catalogue must be in Ukrainian, including content voiced, dubbed or originally produced in the state language.
Video-on-demand media compliance requires the operator to determine whether the service meets the non-linear-media criteria, complete mandatory registration where applicable, maintain the required content profile and avoid operating an editorially controlled catalogue outside the registration regime.
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