The Unified European Trademark (EUIPO)

The European Union is a unique case: one trademark (EU Trademark) protects you in all 27 member countries. Cheaper and faster than separate registration in each country, and ideal for the European market as a whole.

The Competent Authority

EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office). Headquartered in Alicante, Spain.

Manages the "EU Trademark" and the European Design.

Its electronic platform is multilingual (24 languages), English usable.

The Unified EU Trademark Concept

One application, one fee, one mark, protection in 27 member countries.

No need for separate registrations in France, Germany, Italy, Spain... etc.

Differs from Madrid: Madrid administers filing across multiple countries; EUTM creates an actual unified mark.

Procedure

Filing: through EUIPO electronic platform.

Substantive examination: 4–6 months.

Publication in EU Trademarks Bulletin: 3-month opposition.

Issuance: 1–2 months after opposition.

Total: 6–10 months. One of the fastest systems globally.

Fees (2026)

First class: €850 (~SAR 3,500).

Each additional class: €150 (~SAR 620).

Renewal every 10 years: €850 for the first class.

Compared to separate registration in 5 major European countries: EUTM saves 70% of cost.

Advantages

Cost efficiency: one mark at the price of a single large-country mark.

Unified enforcement: a court ruling in one member state is binding across all others.

Examination speed: faster than most European national systems.

Multilingual handling: application in the applicant's native language is accepted.

Risks and Limits

Opposition in one member state destroys protection in all 27. This is the "single point of failure."

The mark must withstand opposition in the toughest European systems (Germany, France).

If EU registration fails, it can be converted to separate national registrations (conversion) with additional fees.

After Brexit

EUTM no longer covers the United Kingdom since 1 January 2021.

EU marks registered before that date automatically converted to equivalent UK marks.

New marks need separate UK registration via the UK IPO.

Recommendation for Saudis

If the European market matters to your plan (3+ countries): EUTM is the choice.

If you target only one country (e.g., France for tourism): direct national registration is faster and cheaper.

At Rights we work with partners in Brussels and Milan to manage EUTM for our clients.

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