Insights · Trademarks
Where to register a trademark: EU, US, UK and beyond
Six routes, one decision. Here is how the main trademark offices compare on cost, the opposition window and the term — and how a single home registration can become worldwide protection.
The major offices at a glance
| Office | Covers | Application (1 class) | Opposition | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU — EUIPO | All 27 EU states | €850 (1 class) | 3 months | 10 yrs |
| Germany — DPMA | Germany | €290 (up to 3 classes) | 3 months | 10 yrs |
| USA — USPTO | Whole USA | $350 / class | 30 days | 10 yrs |
| UK — UK IPO | United Kingdom | £205 (from 1 Apr 2026) | 2–3 months | 10 yrs |
| Australia — IP Australia | Australia | AUD 250 / class | 2 months | 10 yrs |
| International — WIPO Madrid | 130+ countries | 653 CHF (≤ 3 classes) | national | 10 yrs |
| Canada — CIPO | Canada | CAD 491 (1 class) | 2 months | 10 yrs |
Office fees only, 2026, online filing where applicable. Fees change periodically — confirm on each office’s website before filing.
Done for you
Prefer to have it handled?
From the clearance search to filing and opposition defence, Rabbit Marketing can manage your trademark end to end — in the EU and, through the Madrid System, worldwide. Tell us your brand and the goods or services it covers, and we will send you a tailored proposal.
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- EU — EUIPO — One filing, protection in all 27 EU states. Fees, the 3-month opposition window, word vs figurative marks.
- Germany — DPMA — One national filing for Germany — €290 covers up to three classes, the DPMA checks only absolute grounds, and the 3-month opposition window runs after registration.
- USA — USPTO — $350 per class, use vs intent-to-use, and the 30-day opposition window — the shortest of the major offices.
- UK — UK IPO — £205 from April 2026, the 2-month (extendable) opposition window, series marks, and why a UK mark is not an EU mark.
- Australia — IP Australia — Per-class fees, the intention-to-use basis, TM Headstart, and the 2-month opposition window.
- International — WIPO Madrid — Go global from one base mark — 130+ countries through WIPO Geneva, and the 5-year central-attack rule to plan for.
- Canada — CIPO — No use requirement since 2019, mandatory Nice classes, and the 2-month opposition window.
One base, then the world
The efficient path for most brands is not filing everywhere at once. You secure a strong home registration — for a European business, an EU trade mark that covers 27 states in one go — and then use it as the basic mark to extend abroad through the WIPO Madrid System. One foundation, one renewal date, protection that grows with the brand. A point to plan for: for the first five years the international registration depends on that home mark, so the base should be a clean, settled registration.
For your brand
Built on first-hand experience
Rabbit Marketing does not only advise on trademarks — we hold our own registered EU trademarks and have direct, hands-on experience of EUIPO opposition proceedings, including matters involving major multinational companies. That means we read these filings the way an owner does, not just an observer. We help you clear, file and protect a brand across the offices that matter to you.
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Questions, answered
Where should I register my trademark first?
It depends on where you trade and sell. Most brands start in their home or main market — for a European business, the EU trade mark (EUIPO) covers 27 countries in one filing; a US-focused brand starts at the USPTO. From a single home registration you can then extend abroad through the WIPO Madrid System.
Is the EU or the US cheaper for a trademark?
They are not directly comparable. The EUIPO charges €850 for one class covering all 27 EU states; the USPTO charges $350 per class but for the United States only. Cheaper per filing is not the same as cheaper per market reached.
Can one application cover several countries?
Yes — the WIPO Madrid System lets you extend one “basic” national or regional mark (such as an EU trade mark) into 130+ countries through a single international application, managed under one registration and renewal date.
How long does trademark protection last?
In every office covered here, registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely, provided you maintain it and (in some countries, such as the US) keep using the mark.
Research date: June 2026. Official fees and procedures change periodically — confirm current figures on the relevant office’s website before you file. This is general information, not legal advice. Company and brand names are used for editorial reference only and imply no affiliation with Rabbit-Marketing OÜ.