Entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying”

On 01 September 2025, Law of Ukraine No. 3606-IX “On Lobbying”, which came into force on 23 February 2025, becomes effective, defining the rules for representing the interests of businesses and public organizations in the decision-making process of state and local government bodies.

What is lobbying

The Law clearly defines lobbying as an activity aimed at influencing or attempting to influence the decisions of public authorities or local self-government bodies in the commercial interests of the beneficiary or in one’s own commercial interests.

Actions are not considered lobbying

At the same time, the legislator clearly establishes which actions are not considered lobbying:

• activities of entities in the field of media and electronic communications;
• activities of political parties and local organizations of political parties, activities of candidates for elected office in the elections of the President or People’s Deputies of Ukraine and local elections, related to their participation in the electoral process of the relevant elections;
• scientific and scientific-technical activities;
• independent professional activities of lawyers in relation to the defence, representation and provision of other types of legal assistance to clients;
• the work of entities involved in law-making activities (auxiliary bodies of law-making entities and persons performing scientific, legal, expert, advisory, technical and other types of support for the law-making process), etc.

The sphere of lobbying is clearly separated from issues that belong to the fundamental functions of the state, as it prohibits lobbying on regulatory and legal acts concerning the declaration of mobilization, the introduction of martial law or a state of emergency, the declaration of war and the conclusion of peace, the use of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, territorial changes and amnesties, etc.

Lobbying entities may be individuals with full civil capacity, legal entities under private law registered in Ukraine, as well as foreign companies that have representative offices in our country.

At the same time, civil servants and local government officials, persons with unexpunged criminal convictions or who have been declared legally incompetent, government bodies, political parties, religious organizations and the media are prohibited from engaging in lobbying.

Transparency Register

To ensure transparency and control over lobbying, a Transparency Register will be introduced, administered by the NACP. The register will contain complete information about individuals and legal entities that have obtained the right to engage in lobbying.

The Law places particular emphasis on reporting: every six months, lobbying entities are required to submit reports to the Transparency Register.

This is monitored by the NACP, which has the right to verify the accuracy of information and to prosecute for violations. The Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences provides for fines for lobbying without registration or for failure to submit reports or late submission of reports.

We will closely monitor further developments in this area, in particular regarding the status of this Law and related Draft Laws and will report on this in future Legal News.