Last updated: 26.06.2026
EU trademark registration in European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
| Registration time | An EUTM application usually takes 4-8 months, consisting of
Total: usually approx. 6 months (provided there are no oppositions, office’s objections or formal deficiencies).
|
| Registration time if contested | Filing an opposition significantly prolongs the procedure – by at least 7–10 months compared to the standard procedure. In practice, due to negotiation periods, deadline extensions, requests for proof of use, or potential appeals, the proceedings can last from several months to several years, especially in complex cases. |
| Date of protection | A European Union trademark (EUTM), once successfully registered, enjoys protection from the filing date of the application. |
| Duration of protection | Registration of EUTM with EUIPO is valid for a period of ten years from the filing date, with the possibility of unlimited renewal for subsequent 10-year periods |
| Multi-class applications | Trademark applications in multiple classes are permitted. |
| Fee for the application | The filing of an EU trademark application is subject to an official fee payable to EUIPO. The applicable fees are as follows:
Importantly, no additional fee is required once the trademark is registered, as the filing fee already covers the entire examination and registration procedure before EUIPO. For collective and certification marks, the basic fee for an electronic application is 1,500 EUR. |
| Type / form of trademarks | An EU trademark is divided into three basic types:
In terms of registration form, it may appear, among others, as a:
|
| Definition of EUTM | An EU trade mark may consist of any signs, including words (such as personal names), designs, letters, numerals, colours, the shape of goods or their packaging, or sounds, provided that such signs are capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of others and can be represented in the EU trade mark register in a clear and precise manner. |
| Language of the application and documents | An application for an EUTM or a registered EU design (REUD) may be filed in any official language of the European Union.
The applicant must also choose a second language from the five EUIPO working languages (English, French, Spanish, German, or Italian). This second language may be used in possible dispute proceedings, such as opposition or invalidity actions. |
The EUTM Registration Process with EUIPO
Step 1 – EU Trademark Search
The purpose of the trademark verification is to determine whether the chosen name or logo conflicts with prior rights and to identify potentially conflicting, similar existing trademarks.
Step 2 – Filing a European Union Trademark Application
Applications for an EUTM are filed directly with the EUIPO. The European Union trademark application includes a representation of the trademark that allows for a precise definition of the subject matter of protection, as well as a properly classified list of related goods and services.
Step 3 – Preliminary Examination by EUIPO
EUIPO checks the application for compliance with formal requirements, checks the filing date, and ensures the correct classification of the goods and services listed. This includes, among other things, verifying that the applicable official fee was duly paid within one month of filing.
Stage 4 – Substantive Examination of the Proposed Trademark
EUIPO also conducts a substantive examination of the applied-for mark for absolute grounds for refusal of registration.
It assesses whether the proposed trademark can function as a trademark under European Union law. In particular, the Office verifies whether the mark falls into a category excluded from registration, such as marks lacking distinctiveness, purely descriptive marks, or misleading marks. At this stage, EUIPO may issue an objection (a provisional refusal) if it identifies potential grounds for refusal, giving the applicant an opportunity to respond or amend the application.
Step 5 – Publication of the EU Trademark Application
If the application meets the requirements of the preceding steps, EUIPO translates and publishes the application in all official EU languages in the EU Trade Marks Bulletin (EUTM Bulletin). From this point, a 3-month period for filing an opposition begins. Third parties may submit comments pointing out any deficiencies in the application in this regard.
Step 6 – EU Trademark Opposition Period
Within the prescribed time limit, third parties may file an opposition against the registration of the trademark on the basis of relative grounds for refusal, for example due to earlier identical or similar existing trademarks.
If an admissible opposition is filed, an initial two-month “cooling-off” period begins, during which EUIPO encourages the parties to reach an amicable settlement.
If the dispute is not resolved amicably, the proceedings move to the adversarial phase, during which the parties exchange arguments and evidence. EUIPO then issues a decision resolving the opposition. The Office may uphold the opposition in whole or in part, in which case the trademark application will be refused to the extent that the opposition is successful.
Step 7 – Registration of the EUTM with EUIPO
If no opposition is filed within the prescribed time limit, or if any opposition filed is ultimately rejected by EUIPO, the EU trademark will be registered.
A registered EU trademark gives its owner the same rights throughout all EU Member States, which is one of the key differences between EU trademark protection and separate national filings.
Renewal of EU Trademark Protection
The protection of a European Union trademark is valid for 10 years from the filing date and may be renewed for successive 10-year periods without limitation.This means that an EU trademark may be renewed indefinitely, provided that renewal requirements are met.
What are the renewal fees for an EU trademark?
The renewal fees are as follows:
- EUR 850 – renewal fee for one class of goods or services;
- EUR 50 – additional fee for the second class;
- EUR 150 – additional fee for each class beyond the second.
When must an EU trademark be renewed?
The renewal must be completed within the following timeframes:
- within six months before the expiry date of the registration – standard renewal period;
- within six months after the expiry date – grace period, subject to payment of an additional 25% surcharge on the renewal fee.
Documents Required for an EU Trademark Application
In order for an EU trademark application to be accepted by EUIPO and assigned a filing date, the following elements must be provided:
- applicant’s identification details (name and address of the applicant);
- application form for the EU trademark;
- list of goods and services, classified according to the Nice Classification;
- clear representation of the trademark (e.g. word mark, logo, figurative mark, etc.).
Benefits of Registering an EU Trademark with EUIPO
Registering a trademark as an EUTM provides businesses with uniform protection across all EU Member States. A single registration grants exclusive rights that apply throughout the entire European Union.
EU trademark registration may therefore be more efficient than separate national applications or multiple national filings, especially where the business operates or plans to expand in several EU countries.
Trademark registration allows the proprietor to use the mark exclusively in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered and to prevent third parties from using identical or confusingly similar signs in the course of trade. 
A registered trademark also constitutes strong evidence of ownership, which may be particularly important in disputes concerning unauthorized use of the mark.
In addition, registration enables the proprietor to enforce its rights before administrative authorities and courts, including filing oppositions against conflicting applications or pursuing infringement claims.
Finally, a registered trademark may serve as a valuable commercial asset, as it can be licensed, assigned, or otherwise commercially exploited.
Risks of Not Registering an EU Trademark
Failing to register a trademark at the EU level may expose a business to several legal and commercial risks, including:
- The risk that a competitor registers an identical or similar trademark with EUIPO, which may prevent the original user from using the mark in certain EU markets.
- Limited ability to enforce trademark rights, as the absence of registration makes it significantly more difficult to pursue infringement claims or oppose conflicting trademark applications. Although protection may still be available through other legal mechanisms, these routes are generally less straightforward and often require more complex evidence.
- Reduced legal certainty when expanding business activities to other EU countries, particularly if similar or identical trademarks are already registered at the national or EU level.
When Can EUIPO Refuse an EU Trademark Application?
The European Union Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR) provides for so-called absolute grounds for refusal.
If any of these circumstances apply, EUIPO will refuse the registration of the trademark.
The most common grounds include situations where the mark:
- does not meet the basic legal requirements of a trademark, for example where it cannot be clearly represented or cannot distinguish the goods or services of one undertaking from those of others;
- lacks distinctive character in relation to the goods or services for which protection is sought;
- is purely descriptive, meaning that it consists exclusively of signs or indications describing characteristics of the goods or services (such as their kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value or geographical origin);
- has become customary in trade, meaning that it consists exclusively of terms commonly used in everyday language or established trade practices;
- consists exclusively of the shape or another characteristic of the goods that results from the nature of the goods themselves, is necessary to achieve a technical result, or gives substantial value to the goods;
- is contrary to public policy or accepted principles of morality;
- is misleading, for example as to the nature, quality or geographical origin of the goods or services;
- contains protected state symbols or official emblems, such as national flags, coats of arms or symbols of international organisations;
- conflicts with protected designations, including geographical indications, designations of origin or other protected names recognised under EU or international law.
EUIPO Trademark Registration – Legal Support
Registering a trademark with EUIPO requires more than simply filing an application. It involves assessing potential conflicts with earlier rights, selecting the appropriate classes of goods and services, and developing an effective strategy for protecting the brand across the European market.
Our Intellectual Property Law Department supports businesses at every stage of this process – from evaluating the registrability of a mark and identifying potential risks, through preparing and filing the application with EUIPO, to representing clients in opposition proceedings and monitoring trademark portfolios.
If you are considering registering a trademark in the European Union or would like to assess the best strategy for protecting your brand, we will be pleased to assist you.
