'How much does a trademark cost?' is the first question almost every founder asks — and the honest answer is: it depends. Total cost is a combination of government fees (fixed and published by each trademark office), attorney fees (which vary widely) and the number of classes and countries you file in. This guide breaks the real 2026 numbers down so you can budget accurately and avoid the surprise invoices that catch most first-time filers off guard.

The three components of trademark cost

  • Government (office) fees — paid to EUIPO, USPTO, WIPO or a national office. These are non-negotiable.
  • Attorney fees — for the clearance search, drafting the specification of goods/services, filing, and responding to office actions.
  • Post-filing costs — office actions, oppositions, renewals every 10 years, and international extensions later on.

EU trademark (EUIPO) — 2026 official fees

  • €850 — one class of goods or services (base fee)
  • €50 — second class
  • €150 — each additional class beyond the second
  • €850 — renewal every 10 years (single class)

Attorney fees for a straightforward EU trademark filing typically range from €500 to €1,500. Sayadi Law's fixed EU package is €1,700 all-in for one class.

US trademark (USPTO) — 2026 official fees

  • $350 — per class under the standard TEAS Base filing (raised from $250 in 2025)
  • $150 — renewal declaration between years 5–6 (Section 8)
  • $425 — combined renewal at year 10 (Sections 8 & 9)

US attorney fees are typically $500–$2,000 per application. Sayadi Law's fixed US package is €1,700 plus the USPTO government fee.

International (WIPO Madrid Protocol)

The Madrid Protocol charges a base fee of 653 CHF (colour marks 903 CHF), plus 100 CHF per additional class, plus a designation fee for each country you select (typically 100–500 CHF each). It's usually the cheapest route once you're filing in 3+ countries outside your home market.

Hidden costs founders forget

  • Clearance search — skipping this to save €500 routinely costs €5,000+ in re-filings and rebrands
  • Office actions — the examiner may raise objections; expect €990–€1500 to respond
  • Oppositions — if a competitor challenges your application, defense fees are €990–€1500
  • Renewals — every 10 years, forever, in every country you filed in

How to budget: a realistic total for a startup

For a well-run startup filing an EU trademark in one class with a proper clearance search, budget €1,700–€2,200 all-in. Add roughly the same again for the US. Once you're operating in 5+ countries, plan for €5,000–€10,000 to get comprehensive international coverage in place — and remember that a strong registered portfolio typically adds 5–15% to your company's valuation at exit.

How Sayadi Law can help

At Sayadi Law we specialise in intellectual property protection tailored to your industry. We register trademarks, patents and designs internationally, monitor for infringement, and draft the contracts that turn your IP into a durable business asset. Our fixed-fee packages give you predictable pricing and direct access to the lawyer handling your file — no billable-hour surprises.

If you'd like to discuss your IP strategy, send us a message via our contact form or email us at info@sayadilaw.com to schedule a consultation.