The short answer
An EU trademark (EUTM) is registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and protects your brand across all EU member states with one application. The online fee is €850 for one class, €50 for a second class and €150 for each class from the third. Others have 3 months from publication to oppose. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and renews indefinitely.
EU trademark deadlines at a glance
| Question | Answer for the EU |
|---|---|
| How long does a registration last? | 10 years, renewable indefinitely for 10 years at a time |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date of the application (Article 52 of the EU Trade Mark Regulation) |
| When can I renew? | From 6 months before expiry. The fee must be paid within that window |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. A late renewal is possible in an additional 6 months, with a 25% surcharge |
| What if I miss that too? | The owner can convert the mark into national applications. The request must be filed within 3 months from the end of the additional period |
| Opposition period | 3 months from publication in the EU Trade Marks Bulletin. The fee must be paid within the same period |
| Cooling-off after an admissible opposition | 2 months, extendable up to a total of 24 months |
| Priority period | 6 months from the first filing (Article 34) |
| Non-use | A registered EUTM can be revoked after 5 years without genuine use in the EU |
| Assignment | Record the transfer with the EUIPO |
| Change of name or address | Record the change with the EUIPO |
| Applicants outside the EEA | An EEA-based professional representative is generally needed for proceedings. Not required just to file or renew |
Filing date, not certificate date. Put the 10-year date in your docket on the day you file. In an opposition, an earlier mark counts until its expiry date, not the end of the grace period.
What an EU trademark protects
One EUTM gives a single right that is valid in all EU member states. That is efficient, but it is also a single right: a successful objection in one member state can stop the whole application. It does not cover the UK, which has its own register. See our guide to trademark registration in the UK.
Applicants in the EEA
File directly
An owner domiciled in the EEA can file and act before the EUIPO without a representative.
Applicants outside the EEA
EEA representative
An applicant without an EEA domicile, principal place of business or real and effective establishment generally needs a professional representative based in the EEA for proceedings. EUIPO guidance says a representative is not required just to file the application or renewal.
EU trademark registration: the steps
Search and classify
- Choose the goods and services and group them by Nice class
- Search the EU register and national registers for similar marks. A conflict can lead to an opposition
File with the EUIPO
- File online. Filing a paper list or attachment adds a €150 surcharge
- You can claim priority from an earlier filing made in the last 6 months (Article 34)
Examination
- The EUIPO checks whether the sign can be registered, for example whether it is distinctive and not descriptive
- If there is an objection, you can reply within the deadline the EUIPO sets
Publication and opposition
- The application is published in the EU Trade Marks Bulletin
- Oppositions must be filed in writing within 3 months of publication, and the fee must be paid in that window
- If an opposition is admissible, a cooling-off period of 2 months follows, which can be extended
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and you receive a certificate
| EUIPO official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application, online, one class | €850 |
| Second class | €50 |
| Third and each further class | €150 |
| Paper list or attachment surcharge | +€150 |
| Renewal, e-renewal, first class | €850 |
| Renewal, second class | €50 |
| Renewal, each class beyond two | €150 |
| Renewal, not electronic, first class | €1,000 |
Fees are from the EUIPO website. Confirm the current schedule, including the opposition fee, before you file.
How long does an EU trademark last, and how does renewal work?
An EUTM lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely, for 10 years at a time.
- The renewal window opens 6 months before expiry, and the fee must be paid in that window
- A late renewal is possible in an additional period of 6 months, with an additional fee of 25%
- If the owner does not renew, the mark can be converted into national applications. The request must be filed within 3 months from the end of the additional period
Do not rely on the grace period. In an opposition, what counts for an earlier mark is its expiry date, not the grace period.
Assignment, licence, and change of name or address
Assignment
Record the transfer
A change of owner is recorded with the EUIPO. Record it promptly, because a recorded owner is the party the Office deals with.
Name or address
Record the change
A change of the owner's name or address is recorded with the EUIPO. Changes of the legal entity itself are treated as a transfer.
Representative
EEA-based
If you are outside the EEA, keep your EEA representative on record for proceedings such as an opposition.
How to check the status of an EU trademark
- Search the EU register with the EUIPO's eSearch plus database, which shows status, owner, classes and expiry date
- Accepted applications appear in the EU Trade Marks Bulletin, which starts the 3-month opposition period
- Search before you file, because an identical or similar earlier EU or national mark can lead to an opposition
Sources used
EUIPO pages on fees and payments, opposition, renewals and representation. The pages are updated often, so confirm before filing.
EU trademark registration: common questions
How long is an EU trademark valid, and from when is it counted?
Ten years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for 10 years at a time.
When should I renew an EU trademark, and is there a grace period?
The renewal window opens 6 months before expiry. A late renewal is possible in an additional 6 months with a 25% surcharge. After that the mark can be converted into national applications within 3 months.
How long is the opposition period?
Three months from publication of the application in the EU Trade Marks Bulletin. The fee must be paid within the same window.
How much does an EU trademark cost?
The online fee is €850 for one class, €50 for a second class and €150 for each class from the third. A paper list or attachment adds €150.
Does an EU trademark cover the UK?
No. The UK has its own register since it left the EU.
Can a company outside Europe register an EU trademark?
Yes. It generally needs a professional representative based in the EEA for proceedings. EUIPO guidance says representation is not required just to file or renew.
How do I assign an EU trademark?
Record the transfer of ownership with the EUIPO.
How do I change the name or address on an EU trademark?
Record the change with the EUIPO. A change of the legal entity itself is a transfer.
Can an EU trademark be revoked for non-use?
Yes. A registered EU trademark can be revoked after 5 years without genuine use in the EU.
How do I check the status of an EU trademark?
Use the EUIPO's eSearch plus database.
Can one objection stop my whole EU application?
Yes. An EUTM is a single right. A successful opposition or refusal based on one member state can block the application for the whole EU.
Register your EU trademark with SUPREMEiP®
We file and protect trademarks worldwide, including in the European Union. Ask for a search, a filing quote or advice on your brand portfolio.
