Trademark registration in GermanyQuick answer
Trademarks in Germany are registered with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA); the official application fee is EUR 290 for up to 3 classes, and third parties can oppose within 3 months from publication of the registration. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Germany can be designated through the Madrid System.
Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources
- Office
- DPMA
- Official fee
- EUR 290 / up to 3 classes
- Madrid Protocol
- Member since 1996
- Opposition
- 3 months from publication of the registration (…
- Protection
- 10 years from filing date
- Multi-class filing
- Allowed
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The trademark office and official links
Trademarks in Germany are registered by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt) (DPMA).
- Trademark office: German Patent and Trade Mark Office (Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt) (DPMA)
- Online filing: official e-filing portal
- Trademark search: official trademark database
- Law: Act on the Protection of Trade Marks and other Signs (Trade Mark Act, Markengesetz - MarkenG), English translation
Official fees in Germany
| Official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee, electronic filing (includes up to 3 classes) | EUR 290 |
| Application fee, standard/paper filing (includes up to 3 classes) | EUR 300 |
| Each additional class from the 4th class (filing) | EUR 100 |
| Accelerated examination Optional | EUR 200 |
| Renewal fee (includes up to 3 classes) | EUR 750 |
| Each additional class from the 4th class (renewal) | EUR 260 |
| Late renewal surcharge If paid within the 6-month grace period after expiry | EUR 50 |
| Opposition Plus EUR 50 for each additional opposing sign of the same proprietor | EUR 250 |
Official office fees only (schedule as of 2026-08). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.
How to register a trademark in Germany
- Search DPMAregister and other databases for identical or similar earlier marks, because the DPMA does not check for conflicts with earlier rights.
- Prepare the list of goods and services using the Nice classes; the application cannot be broadened after filing.
- File the application with the DPMA, preferably electronically, and pay the fee; processing starts only once the full fee is paid.
- The DPMA checks the filing data and examines absolute grounds for refusal, such as descriptiveness.
- If there are no objections, the mark is entered in the register, the registration is published in the Markenblatt, and a registration certificate is issued.
- Owners of earlier rights may file an opposition within 3 months of publication of the registration.
- Renew every 10 years; the renewal fee falls due six months before expiry.
Examination, publication and opposition
- Examination: The DPMA examines formal requirements and absolute grounds for refusal only; it does not examine conflicts with earlier third-party rights. With accelerated examination (EUR 200), a decision must be made within six months of filing if the applicant cooperates. The DPMA currently reports slower processing because of a sharp rise in applications.
- Publication: Markenblatt (Trade Mark Journal), where registrations are published
- Opposition period: 3 months from publication of the registration (post-registration opposition)
Protection, renewal and use
- Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
- Late renewal: 6 months after expiry, with a EUR 50 surcharge
- Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
- Rights system: mixed.
Filing from abroad
- Local agent: Applicants without a residence, principal place of business or establishment in Germany must appoint a patent attorney or lawyer as domestic representative; lawyers or patent attorneys from the EU, EEA or Switzerland who are authorised to act before the Office qualify.
- Language: German
Firms on TrademarksHub that cover Germany can act as your local agent — see firms.
Madrid Protocol
Germany is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 1996). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.
Trademark classes
Nice Classification (45 classes). One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.
How Germany compares
- Opposition: 3 months from publication of the registration (post-registration opposition) — compare all countries
- Renewal: every 10 years; grace period 6 months after expiry, with a EUR 50 surcharge — compare all countries
- Foreign owners: required — rules in every country
- Official search: register.dpma.de — all search databases
Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid
Good to know in Germany
- Germany uses a post-registration opposition system: marks are registered after examination of absolute grounds, and earlier-right owners may oppose within 3 months of the published registration.
- Trade mark rights in Germany can arise not only through registration but also through use that has acquired recognition in trade, and through notoriety (well-known marks).
- The basic application fee covers up to three classes; additional classes cost EUR 100 each at filing and EUR 260 each at renewal.
- The DPMA does not send invoices or payment requests for applications or renewals and warns about misleading private payment requests.
- Germany is also covered by EU trade marks filed at EUIPO, which can be an alternative or complement to a German national mark.