The short answer
A Croatian trademark is registered for 10 years from the filing date and renewed for further 10-year periods. Renew in the last year, or within 6 months after expiry by paying double the fee. After publication, the owner of an earlier right has 3 months to oppose. Priority runs for 6 months, and a mark is open to revocation after 5 years of non-use.
Trademark deadlines in Croatia at a glance
These rules come from the Trademarks Act (NN 14/2019, in force from 15 February 2019), in the official English translation published by the State Intellectual Property Office. The Act is supplemented by Trademark Regulations (NN 38/2019 and 137/2023), and later amendments may exist, so we confirm the current text and fees before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years from the date of filing, renewable for further 10-year periods (Article 55). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of filing of the application (Article 55(1)). |
| When can I renew? | The renewal is made at the proprietor's request, with the administrative fees paid in the last year of the ten-year period. The Office reminds the proprietor at least 6 months before expiry but is not liable if it does not, and the registration expires anyway (Article 56(1) and (2)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. The request can be submitted within a further 6 months following the expiry of the registration if double the fee is paid in that period. The renewal takes effect from the day after the old expiry (Article 56(3) and (7)). |
| Opposition period | Within 3 months from the publication of the application, the owners of earlier trademarks and other earlier rights listed in Article 45 can file an opposition on the relative grounds in Article 10. Any person can also send observations on absolute grounds within the same 3 months, but is not a party (Articles 44 and 45). |
| Reply to an office action | The Office examines absolute grounds first and publishes the application if there are none. In an opposition the applicant has 60 days to answer, and the parties can jointly ask for a suspension to settle, for up to 24 months (Articles 43, 46 and 48). |
| Priority claim | Convention priority applies if the Croatian application is filed within 6 months of the first filing in a Paris Convention state or a WTO member. The priority claim needs a copy of the first application and its Croatian translation within 3 months of the claim (Article 37). |
| Non-use | If within a continuous period of 5 years after registration the proprietor has not put the mark to genuine use in Croatia for the registered goods or services, or use has been suspended for an uninterrupted 5 years, the mark is subject to limitations and revocation unless there are justified reasons (Article 20 and Article 61). |
| Assignment | A trademark can be transferred separately from the business, for some or all goods and services. The transfer is entered in the Register on request with a certified copy of the agreement (Articles 22 and 23). A change of name or address is recorded under Article 58. |
Who can register a trademark in Croatia
Any natural or legal person can apply. Goods and services are classified under the Nice Classification, and the Office examines absolute grounds before publication. The application is published, then open to opposition (Articles 41 to 45).
Representation. An applicant without a seat or domicile in Croatia normally acts through a Croatian IP attorney. The Act and the Regulations govern representation, so we confirm the current requirement and file through a local attorney.
Trademark registration process in Croatia
Search
- Search the the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV), through your Croatian IP attorney.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- After examination, the application data are published, and earlier-right holders can oppose within 3 months (Articles 43 to 45).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Croatia trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the filing date.
- Renew in the last year, or within 6 months after expiry with a double fee.
- The Office reminds you but is not liable if it does not.
- Use the mark in Croatia to avoid revocation after 5 years of non-use.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Croatian trademark
Transfer
Change of ownership
Recorded in the Register on request with a certified agreement (Articles 22 and 23).
Name or address
Change of details
Recorded at the proprietor's request and published (Article 58).
Division
Splitting the registration
A registration can be divided into several registrations (Article 59).
Alteration
Changes to the mark
A registered mark cannot be altered in the Register except as Article 57 allows.
Non-use and cancellation of a Croatian trademark
Under Article 20 and Article 61, a mark can be revoked for 5 years of non-use without justified reasons, for becoming generic, or for misleading use. Invalidity can be declared on absolute and relative grounds (Article 66).
Keep dated proof of use in Croatia: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Croatia
Search the trademark register and the official gazette of the Office. The 3-month opposition period runs from publication.
Sources used
- Trademarks Act (NN 14/2019), official English translation on the DZIV website: Articles 20, 22, 23, 37, 43 to 49, 55 to 59, 61 and 66.
- DZIV (State Intellectual Property Office) for the register, Regulations and fees.
Croatia trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Croatia, and from when?
10 years from the date of filing, renewable for further 10-year periods (Article 55). It counts from the filing date (Article 55(1)).
When should I renew a Croatian trademark, and is there a grace period?
The renewal is made at the proprietor's request, with the administrative fees paid in the last year of the ten-year period. The Office reminds the proprietor at least 6 months before expiry but is not liable if it does not, and the registration expires anyway (Article 56(1) and (2)).
What is the opposition period in Croatia?
Within 3 months from the publication of the application, the owners of earlier trademarks and other earlier rights listed in Article 45 can file an opposition on the relative grounds in Article 10. Any person can also send observations on absolute grounds within the same 3 months, but is not a party (Articles 44 and 45).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Croatia?
The official fee is set by the the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Croatia?
Yes. We file through a Croatian IP attorney, and we confirm the current representation and translation requirements before filing.
Can I assign a Croatian trademark?
A trademark can be transferred separately from the business, for some or all goods and services. The transfer is entered in the Register on request with a certified copy of the agreement (Articles 22 and 23). A change of name or address is recorded under Article 58.
Can a Croatian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
If within a continuous period of 5 years after registration the proprietor has not put the mark to genuine use in Croatia for the registered goods or services, or use has been suspended for an uninterrupted 5 years, the mark is subject to limitations and revocation unless there are justified reasons (Article 20 and Article 61).
How can I check the status of a Croatian trademark?
Use the the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Convention priority applies if the Croatian application is filed within 6 months of the first filing in a Paris Convention state or a WTO member. The priority claim needs a copy of the first application and its Croatian translation within 3 months of the claim (Article 37).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (DZIV) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Croatia
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