The short answer
Under Law No. 4679/2020, a trade mark registration is valid for ten years from the filing date. The renewal fee is paid in the last six months of protection, or in an additional six months after expiry, increased by half. Opposition must be lodged within three months of publication of the decision, and a mark can be forfeited after five years without genuine use. Greece is an EU member, so an EU trade mark also covers it.
Trademark deadlines in Greece at a glance
These rules come from Law No. 4679/2020 on the protection of trade marks (implementing Directive 2015/2436/EU), as amended up to 2022 and consolidated in 2024, in the English text on WIPO Lex. Fees are set separately, so we confirm them before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | Ten years from the date of filing of the declaration, renewable every ten years (Article 36). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of filing of the declaration, or the date referred to in the Law for special cases (Article 36(1)). |
| When can I renew? | The registration may be renewed every ten years at the proprietor's request on timely payment of the renewal fee, which is paid within the last six months of protection. The Directorate informs the proprietor at least six months before expiry but is not liable if it does not (Article 36(2) and (3)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. The renewal fee can be paid within an additional period of six months after expiry, increased by half. If the mark is not renewed, protection lapses automatically (Article 36(3) and (5)). Relief is available in some cases for a missed time limit (Article 37). |
| Opposition period | An opposition may be lodged within three months from the day following the publication of the decision accepting the filing, on the grounds that the registration breaches the Law's absolute or relative grounds. Oppositions at later stages have a sixty-day time limit from service of the decision (Article 25 and the appeal provisions). |
| Reply to an office action | The Directorate examines the application and the applicant can respond. Decisions can be appealed to the Administrative Trade Marks Committee and then the courts, with a sixty-day time limit to oppose a Committee decision. |
| Priority claim | The right of priority applies under the Paris Convention, with the priority claim made in the filing declaration (Article 85). |
| Non-use | The proprietor is forfeited in whole or in part if, within a period of five years from registration, there is no genuine use for the goods or services, or if use stops for five consecutive years, without proper reasons (Article 50(2)(a)). |
| Assignment | A transfer of a trade mark, a licence or a pledge is recorded in the Register. We confirm the formalities with the Directorate. |
Who can register a trademark in Greece
A person who uses or intends to use a sign as a trade mark can file a declaration with the Trade Marks Directorate. Applicants can claim the priority of a first filing in a Paris Convention country.
Representation. We act as your agent before the Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate. We confirm any local representation rule before filing.
Trademark registration process in Greece
Search
- Search the the Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate, through your Greek agent.
- 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 the Examiner's decision accepting the filing is published, an opposition can be lodged within three months (Article 25).
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 Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate 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.
Greece trademark validity and renewal
- Registration is valid for ten years from the filing date.
- Pay the renewal fee in the last six months of protection.
- An additional six months after expiry costs the fee plus half.
- Use the mark in Greece to avoid forfeiture after five years.
Diarise the last six months of the ten-year term from the filing date.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Greek trademark
Renewal
Partial possible
Renewal can be limited to some goods or services (Article 36(3)).
Effect of renewal
From next day
Renewal takes effect on the day after expiry and is entered in the Register (Article 36(4)).
Forfeiture
Five years
Forfeiture applies after five years without genuine use (Article 50).
Disputes
Courts of Athens
Disputes about renewal are resolved by the court procedure in the Law (Article 36(6)).
Non-use and cancellation of a Greek trademark
A revocation application is filed with the Trade Marks Directorate and decided by the Administrative Trade Marks Committee, with appeal to the courts. The proprietor is forfeited for five years without genuine use or five consecutive years of cessation (Article 50(2)(a)).
Keep dated proof of use in Greece: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Greece
Search the Hellenic Trade Marks Register and the Ministry of Development website where decisions are published.
Sources used
- Law No. 4679/2020 on trade marks (Greece), English text on WIPO Lex: Articles 25, 36, 37, 50 and 85.
- The Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate for the current fees, forms and procedure.
Greece trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Greece, and from when?
Ten years from the date of filing of the declaration, renewable every ten years (Article 36). It counts from the date of filing (Article 36).
When should I renew a Greek trademark, and is there a grace period?
The registration may be renewed every ten years at the proprietor's request on timely payment of the renewal fee, which is paid within the last six months of protection. The Directorate informs the proprietor at least six months before expiry but is not liable if it does not (Article 36(2) and (3)).
What is the opposition period in Greece?
An opposition may be lodged within three months from the day following the publication of the decision accepting the filing, on the grounds that the registration breaches the Law's absolute or relative grounds. Oppositions at later stages have a sixty-day time limit from service of the decision (Article 25 and the appeal provisions).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Greece?
The official fee is set by the the Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate 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 Greece?
Yes. A foreign company can register a trade mark in Greece, normally through a Greek agent. We arrange this.
Can I assign a Greek trademark?
A transfer of a trade mark, a licence or a pledge is recorded in the Register. We confirm the formalities with the Directorate.
Can a Greek trademark be cancelled for non-use?
The proprietor is forfeited in whole or in part if, within a period of five years from registration, there is no genuine use for the goods or services, or if use stops for five consecutive years, without proper reasons (Article 50(2)(a)).
How can I check the status of a Greek trademark?
Use the the Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
The right of priority applies under the Paris Convention, with the priority claim made in the filing declaration (Article 85).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Hellenic Trade Marks Directorate so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Greece
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Greek deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
