The changes are subject to parliamentary approval but have been published as confirmed guidance. This is the first increase to UK trade mark fees since 1998. The IPO cites inflation since 2016 and funding for digital services.
Key changes at a glance
- Online trade mark application (one class): £170 → £205 (+21%)
- Paper trade mark application (one class): £200 → £250 (+25%)
- Additional class fee: £50 → £60 (+20%)
- Online renewal (one class): £200 → £245 (+22.5%)
- Expedited examination: £300 → £370 (+23%)
- Opposition (Section 5 grounds): £100 → £125 (+25%)
- Opposition (other grounds): £200 → £250 (+25%)
- Invalidation / revocation proceedings: £200 → £250 (+25%)
Source: UK IPO — New fees from 1 April 2026
Complete UK trade mark fee table: previous vs new
Every UK domestic trade mark fee affected by the April 2026 changes. Data from the UK IPO trade marks fees CSV, updated 9 March 2026.
| Fee description | Form | Previous fee | New fee (from 1 Apr 2026) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | ||||
| Apply for a trade mark (online) | e-TM3 | £170 | £205 | +£35 |
| Apply for a trade mark (paper) | TM3 | £200 | £250 | +£50 |
| Additional class fee (online) | e-TM3 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Additional class fee (paper) | TM3 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Expedited examination | e-TM3 | £300 | £370 | +£70 |
| Series fee (online) | e-TM3 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Series fee (paper) | TM3 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Additional classes following examination | TM3A | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Right Start — Stage 1 | — | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Right Start — Stage 2 | — | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Right Start — Stage 1 additional class | — | £25 | £30 | +£5 |
| Right Start — Stage 2 additional class | — | £25 | £30 | +£5 |
| Renewals | ||||
| Renew trade mark registration (online or paper) | TM11 | £200 | £245 | +£45 |
| Renewal additional class fee | TM11 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Late renewal surcharge | TM11 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Restore and renew a registration | TM13 | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Ownership and licensing | ||||
| Record change of ownership | TM16 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Record partial assignment | TM16P | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Record a licensee | TM50 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Remove or amend licensee recordal | TM51 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Record/amend security interest | TM24 | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Cancel security interest | TM24C | £50 | £60 | +£10 |
| Opposition and proceedings | ||||
| Notice of opposition (Section 5(1)/5(2) only) | TM7 | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Notice of opposition (other grounds) | TM7 | £200 | £250 | +£50 |
| Fast track opposition | TM7F | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Add grounds to notice of opposition | TM7G | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Application to start invalidation proceedings | TM26I | £200 | £250 | +£50 |
| Application to revoke (non-use) | TM26N | £200 | £250 | +£50 |
| Application to revoke (other reasons) | TM26O | £200 | £250 | +£50 |
| Appeal to appointed person (inter partes) | TM55P | £250 | £300 | +£50 |
| Request statement of reasons | TM5 | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Other | ||||
| Extension of time (before deadline) | TM9 | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Extension of time (after deadline) | TM9R | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Request for divide of application | TM12 | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Certification/collective mark regulations | TM35 | £200 | £250 | +£50 |
| Amend certification/collective mark regulations | TM36 | £100 | £125 | +£25 |
| Request certified copy | TM31R | £20 | £25 | +£5 |
| Request information (UK events) | TM31C | £20 | £25 | +£5 |
| Request information (international events) | TM31M | £20 | £25 | +£5 |
| International | ||||
| Apply to register an international trade mark | MM2 | £40 | £50 | +£10 |
| Renewal of an international registration | — | £20 | £25 | +£5 |
What does a UK trade mark actually cost after April 2026?
The filing fee is only part of the total cost. Typical scenarios from 1 April 2026:
- DIY filing (one class, online): £205 (up from £170). Each additional Nice class: £60. Fees are not refundable if the application is refused or opposed.
- DIY Right Start (one class): £125 Stage 1 + £125 Stage 2 if you proceed = £250 total from April 2026 (was £100 + £100 = £200).
- Two-class online: £265 (was £220).
- Three-class online: £325 (was £270).
- With a trade mark attorney: often £700–£1,500 including search and professional fees; the IPO increase adds roughly £35–£50 to the official fee component.
- Ten-year renewal (one class): £245 (was £200); late renewal surcharge £60 (was £50).
Transitional rules: applications and renewals
Applications: Submit and pay before 1 April 2026 to use the previous fees. Draft / “save for later” does not count as submission.
Right Start: If Stage 1 is submitted and paid before 1 April 2026, Stage 2 is charged at the previous rate even if paid after 1 April.
Period of grace: If you apply before 1 April and rely on a grace period to pay, you pay the previous fee if payment is within the published deadline.
Renewals: which fee applies?
| Scenario | Renewal due before 1 April | Renewal due on or after 1 April |
|---|---|---|
| Payment before 1 April | Previous fee | Previous fee |
| Payment on or after 1 April (no late fee) | Previous fee | New fee |
| Payment on or after 1 April (late fee due) | Previous renewal + new late fee | New renewal + new late fee |
Advance renewal: Marks with renewal due up to and including 30 September 2026 can be renewed before 1 April at £200 per class—saving £45 per class vs the new rate.
Why now? Context for the fee increase
UK trade mark fees were unchanged from 1998 to 2026—a longer span than most jurisdictions. Cumulative inflation over that period is far higher than the increase; the IPO frames the rise as closing part of that gap while funding the Transformation Programme and digital services.
UK vs EU vs US: comparison after April 2026
Approximate figures; exchange rates move—verify before filing.
| Fee | UK (from April 2026) | EU (EUIPO) | US (USPTO, from Jan 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application — one class (online) | £205 | €850 (~£725) | $350 (~£280) |
| Second class | £60 | €50 (~£43) | $350 (~£280) per class |
| Third class | £60 | €150 (~£128) | $350 (~£280) per class |
| Total — three classes | £325 | €1,050 (~£895) | $1,050 (~£840) |
| Renewal — one class (10 years) | £245 | €850 (~£725) | $325 (~£260) |
| Territory | UK only | 27 EU member states | United States only |
| Opposition filing | £125 (Sec. 5) / £250 (other) | €320 (~£273) | $600 (~£480) per class |
| Invalidation | £250 | €630 (~£537) | $600 (~£480) per class |
Post-Brexit: UK + EU single-class protection now means two filings—roughly £205 + €850 (~£930 combined) vs one pre-Brexit EUIPO application that included the UK.
What this means for UK businesses
- Filing before 1 April 2026 saves £35 on a one-class online application (more if multi-class).
- Renewals due by 30 Sep 2026: renew before 1 April to pay £200/class instead of £245.
- Clearance before filing: higher official fees make pre-filing conflict checks more valuable— search free or reports from £9.99.
- Oppositions / invalidation: pre-April opposition and revocation fees apply for filings through 31 March 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When do the new UK IPO fees take effect?
The new fees apply from 1 April 2026. Applications submitted and paid for before that date are charged at the previous rates. The changes are subject to parliamentary approval but the IPO has published them as confirmed guidance.
How much will it cost to register a trade mark in the UK from April 2026?
An online application for one Nice class will cost £205, up from £170. Each additional class will cost £60, up from £50. A paper application for one class will cost £250, up from £200.
Are the fees refundable if my application is refused?
No. The UK IPO does not refund application fees if your trade mark is refused, opposed, or withdrawn. This makes a pre-filing clearance search important. You can search UK trade marks free on Trademark Dashboard or purchase a clearance report from £9.99.
Can I file before 1 April to lock in the previous fees?
Yes. If your application is fully submitted and paid for before 1 April 2026, you pay the previous rates. Using the "save for later" or "draft" function does not count — you must complete submission.
What about Right Start applications?
If you submit and pay for Right Start Stage 1 before 1 April 2026, the Stage 2 fee will also be at the previous rate — even if you pay Stage 2 after 1 April. This is confirmed in the IPO's transitional guidance.
Can I renew early to avoid the higher fee?
Yes. Trade marks with a renewal due date up to and including 30 September 2026 can be renewed now at the previous rate of £200 per class. After 1 April, renewals will cost £245 per class.
Why are UK trade mark fees increasing?
UK trade mark fees have not increased since 1998. The IPO cites a 32% rise in inflation since 2016 and the need to fund continued investment in digital services and the IPO Transformation Programme.
Is the UK still cheaper than filing in the EU or US?
Yes, for single-jurisdiction protection. A one-class UK filing at £205 is cheaper than the EUIPO (€850) and the USPTO ($350). However, since Brexit, UK businesses wanting protection in both the UK and EU must pay both fees — approximately £930 combined for one class.
Are other IP fees also increasing?
Yes. The April 2026 increase also affects UK patent and registered design fees. The IPO has published separate fee tables for patents and registered designs on gov.uk.
Where can I see the full official fee schedule?
The IPO has published the complete guidance and downloadable fee tables at gov.uk under Intellectual Property Office new fees from 1 April 2026.
Official fee schedule: gov.uk — IPO new fees from 1 April 2026.
Check your trade mark before fees go up
Application fees rise to £205 per class with no refund if refused. Search UK trade marks free—or get a clearance report with similarity analysis from £9.99.
How to register a UK trademark →
Trademark search guide →
Find a UK trade mark attorney →
UK trade mark data is Crown copyright, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Fee information sourced from UK IPO published guidance (12 January 2026, updated 9 March 2026). EUIPO and USPTO figures from official schedules as of March 2026. Exchange rates are approximate. This is not legal advice—consult a qualified trade mark attorney for your situation.