A foreign national can buy an apartment, a house or a commercial unit in Odesa on the same terms as a Ukrainian citizen. The deal itself follows the usual route; what differs is the paperwork beforehand and the way the money moves, because it arrives from abroad.
Here is how it works in practice, and where buyers from other countries usually lose time.
What you need before the deal
Your passport and a Ukrainian tax number. The tax office issues the number on application, in person or through a representative acting under a power of attorney. A notary will not complete a purchase without it, so this is where the process starts.
The second step is an account with a Ukrainian bank. The settlement runs through it, and later so do the utility payments. The bank will ask you to document the source of the funds, so that paperwork is worth preparing early.
How the money moves
Property is paid for by bank transfer. The money arrives in your Ukrainian account and goes to the seller on the day the contract is signed at the notary. Cash settlements are not used in these transactions.
The contract is denominated in hryvnia even when the listing price is quoted in dollars. The exchange rate for the day of the deal is written into the contract, which is why the settlement date is agreed in advance.
The notary and registration of title
The sale contract is signed before a notary. The notary checks the seller title, confirms there are no encumbrances or court restrictions, collects spousal consents where they are required, and enters the new owner in the state register once the contract is signed. The entry appears the same day.
The compulsory payments on a purchase are calculated by the notary for the day of signing, and the exact figures are given to you beforehand: they depend on the contract price and on who is selling. Some are paid by the buyer and some by the seller, and that split is agreed before any deposit changes hands.
See also: Property valuation in Odesa, Questions and answers about buying an apartment in Odesa and eVidnovlennia housing certificates.
Do you have to travel here
A viewing trip helps, but it is not required. Apartments are shown over video, and when you do come, a FAKTOR agent will line up several options in neighbouring buildings so that one trip covers more than one address.
The purchase itself can be completed through a power of attorney given to a representative in Ukraine. The document is drawn up at a consulate or before a notary where you live, and is then legalised for use in Ukraine. Its scope is written out precisely: signing the contract, settling the payment, registering the title.
Plots and houses
There are no restrictions on apartments or commercial units. Land follows different rules that depend on the designated use of the plot, so a plot is checked separately: the register extract, the designated use, the boundaries and any encumbrances. A house and the land under it are two separate objects, and the documents for each are checked on their own.
Questions buyers ask most
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Ukraine
Yes, on the same terms as a citizen. You need your passport and a Ukrainian tax number.
How long does a purchase take
From a few days to a few weeks. The tax number and the bank confirmation of funds take the longest; signing at the notary is a single day.
Can I buy without coming to Ukraine
Yes, through a power of attorney given to a representative. Viewings are then done over video.
Which currency do I pay in
The contract is in hryvnia and the settlement is by bank transfer from your Ukrainian account.
What the agent does
A FAKTOR agent will select options from the catalogue to match your budget and the number of rooms, show them over video or in person, introduce you to a notary and say which documents to request from the seller before the deposit. The split of the transaction costs and the timing are written into the contract before any money is paid.
We will shortlist options for your budget and guide the deal from the first viewing to signing.
