The short answer
A Hungarian trademark has a term of 10 years from the filing date and is renewed for further 10-year terms. File the renewal request in the 6 months before expiry, or in the 6 months after expiry with an additional fee. Anyone with an earlier right can oppose within 3 months of the publication of the application. A mark that has not been put to genuine use within 5 years of registration, or whose use stops for 5 uninterrupted years, faces the legal consequences in the Act.
Trademark deadlines in Hungary at a glance
These rules come from Act XI of 1997 on the Protection of Trade Marks and Geographical Indications, in the English consolidated text of 1 January 2026 on WIPO Lex. The authority is the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office. We re-check each deadline against the live text before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years, renewable for further 10-year terms (Section 11). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date. Protection has a term of 10 years beginning on the date of filing of the application. A renewed term starts the day after the previous term expires (Section 11). |
| When can I renew? | File the renewal request within the 6 months before the expiry, with the renewal fee paid at the same time. Paying the fee alone is not a request for renewal (Section 65(2) and (4)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. If you miss that period, the request can be filed with the fee plus an additional fee within 6 months from the expiry (Section 65(4)). The Office must notify the holder at least 6 months before expiry, but failing to do so does not affect the expiry (Section 65(3)). |
| Opposition period | 3 months following the date of publication of the application, on the grounds in Sections 4 to 6, by the holder of an earlier mark, a licensee with the right of use, and other listed persons (Section 61/B(1)). |
| Priority claim | Priority follows the Paris Convention, normally 6 months from the first filing. Claim it in the application. |
| Non-use | If within 5 years following the date of registration the holder has not put the mark to genuine use in Hungary, or if use has been suspended for an uninterrupted 5-year period, protection is subject to the legal consequences in the Act, unless non-use is duly justified (Section 18(1)). |
| Assignment | Record the transfer with the Office so the register shows the new owner. Rights from a mark can be encumbered, and a lien must be in writing and entered in the register (Section 20). |
| Accelerated procedure | A request for accelerated or particularly accelerated procedure can be filed. In the particularly accelerated procedure, the Office registers the mark at the same time as it publishes the application, and the registration is withdrawn if an opposition is filed (Section 64/A and Section 64). |
Who can register a trademark in Hungary
Individuals and companies from any country can apply to the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office. After the examination the application is published, and owners of earlier rights can oppose within 3 months.
Representation. Foreign applicants normally act through a Hungarian trade mark representative. We confirm the current requirements before filing.
Trademark registration process in Hungary
Search
- Search the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH), through your Hungarian representative.
- 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.
- Owners of earlier rights can oppose within 3 months of publication (Section 61/B).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) 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.
Hungary trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the filing date.
- Request renewal in the 6 months before expiry, with the renewal fee.
- A late request is possible within 6 months after expiry, with an additional fee.
- The Office reminder is a courtesy, not a duty. We diarise the date.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Hungarian trademark
Assignment
Transfer of a mark
Record the transfer with the Office so the register shows the new owner.
Lien
Security over a mark
A mark can be encumbered. For a lien, the security contract must be in writing and the lien entered in the register (Section 20).
Joint holders
Co-ownership
Joint holders can use the mark and share rights as set out in Section 21.
Name or address
Change of the owner's details
Record the change so notices and the renewal notice reach the right address.
Non-use and cancellation of a Hungarian trademark
Section 18 applies when the holder has not put the mark to genuine use in Hungary within 5 years following registration, or when use has been suspended for an uninterrupted 5-year period. Protection is then subject to the consequences in the Act, such as revocation, unless the holder duly justifies the non-use. Use in a slightly different form, and affixing the mark to goods for export from Hungary, count as use.
Keep dated proof of use in Hungary: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Hungary
Search the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office register and the official gazette. The 3-month opposition period runs from the publication of the application.
Sources used
- Act XI of 1997 on the Protection of Trade Marks and Geographical Indications, English consolidated text of 1 January 2026 on WIPO Lex: Sections 11, 18, 20, 21, 61/B, 64 and 65.
- Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) for the register, forms and fees.
Hungary trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Hungary, and from when?
10 years, renewable for further 10-year terms (Section 11). It counts from the date of filing of the application (Section 11).
When should I renew a Hungarian trademark, and is there a grace period?
File the renewal request within the 6 months before the expiry, with the renewal fee paid at the same time. Paying the fee alone is not a request for renewal (Section 65(2) and (4)).
What is the opposition period in Hungary?
3 months following the date of publication of the application, on the grounds in Sections 4 to 6, by the holder of an earlier mark, a licensee with the right of use, and other listed persons (Section 61/B(1)).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Hungary?
The official fee is set by the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) 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 Hungary?
Yes. A foreign applicant can file in Hungary and normally uses a Hungarian representative. We confirm the current requirements before filing.
Can I assign a Hungarian trademark?
Record the transfer with the Office so the register shows the new owner. Rights from a mark can be encumbered, and a lien must be in writing and entered in the register (Section 20).
Can a Hungarian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
If within 5 years following the date of registration the holder has not put the mark to genuine use in Hungary, or if use has been suspended for an uninterrupted 5-year period, protection is subject to the legal consequences in the Act, unless non-use is duly justified (Section 18(1)).
How can I check the status of a Hungarian trademark?
Use the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority follows the Paris Convention, normally 6 months from the first filing. Claim it in the application.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Hungary
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Hungarian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
