The number of new service businesses is growing in Ukraine
During the first five months of 2026, more than 5,000 new businesses in the personal services sector were registered in Ukraine. This is 15% more than during the same period last year.
It is noted that the vast majority of new market entrants are individual entrepreneurs: sole proprietorships account for about 99% of all registrations.
Most often, Ukrainians opened businesses in the beauty and personal care sector: beauty salons, hair salons, spa centers, and massage parlors.
Between January and May 2026, 5,007 new businesses in the personal services sector (NACE 96) were registered in Ukraine, including 4,966 new sole proprietorships and 41 legal entities. For comparison, during the same period in 2025, 4,353 new business entities were registered in Ukraine, of which 4,336 were sole proprietorships and 17 were legal entities.
Overall, the vast majority of new registrations in the sector of other personal services (NACE 96) were accounted for by individual entrepreneurs. They represent 99% of all newly established business entities. For example, during the first five months of 2026, only 41 new legal entities were registered.
The dominance of sole proprietorships indicates not only a low barrier to entry into the sector but also the continued confidence of small businesses in the simplified tax system. The sole proprietorship format remains the primary organizational model for entrepreneurs in the service sector, while the transition to corporate business structures remains limited. At the same time, legal entities remain a significantly less popular form of doing business in this market.
After a relatively subdued start to the year, the pace of new registrations picked up significantly in the spring. While 836 new businesses were registered in the sector in January, the figure rose to 1,157 in March, 1,173 in April, and 1,092 in May. The peak in new business registrations occurred in April. The largest decline was recorded in February: the number of new sole proprietorships fell from 833 to 737, a decrease of 11.5% compared to January. Subsequently, the market rebounded sharply—there were 1,140 new registrations in March, 1,166 in April, and 1,092 in May.
Entrepreneurs were most active in opening businesses in the field of hairdressing services and beauty salons. Since the beginning of 2026, 4,859 new businesses in the beauty and personal care sector have been registered in Ukraine. These include beauty salons, hair salons, spa salons, and massage parlors, among which are 4,829 sole proprietorships and 30 legal entities. Despite the challenging situation in the country, demand for personal care, wellness, and emotional rejuvenation services continues to grow.
Also, in the first five months of the year, 80 new sole proprietorships and 3 companies were registered in the funeral services and related services sector, as well as 57 new sole proprietorships and 8 companies in the laundry and dry cleaning of textiles and fur products sector.
This was reported by NV Business, citing data from VKURSI, a service that analyzes newly established businesses.
Forty-three thousand sole proprietorships received energy supportfrom the state.
In June, accountants, HR professionals, and entrepreneurs face a series of important changes and reporting deadlines. In June 2026, Ukrainians can expect a series of important legislative changes, reporting campaigns, and innovations for businesses, employers, and citizens.
Ukrainian entrepreneurs who purchased domestically manufactured industrial machinery and equipment in March 2026 will receive state compensation totaling 15.6 million UAH.
