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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Tunisia

To register a trademark in Tunisia, file with the National Institute for Standardization and Industrial Property (INNORPI) through a Tunisian agent, or designate Tunisia under the Madrid Protocol. INNORPI examines only the sign itself, not earlier marks: earlier right holders must oppose within 2 months of publication. Applicants domiciled abroad must appoint a Tunisian agent.

Order online · Tunisia trademark registration

Enter the mark, classes and applicant; an agent quotes after you submit. Once you accept the quote you pay online and can follow progress in your account.

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Five questions first

Which route?File with INNORPI through a Tunisian agent if you only need Tunisia; if you already have a home application or registration and want several countries, designate Tunisia through Madrid, paying Tunisia's individual fee.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, the mark, goods or services by Nice class and a power of attorney stating its scope; applicants domiciled abroad must appoint an agent established in Tunisia.Details ↓How are official fees charged?Filing TND 596 including 1 class, plus TND 119.4 for each additional class (tax included), paid at filing; a TND 96.2 certificate fee when the certificate is issued. Service fees are quoted separately.Details ↓How long does it take?The law sets only ceilings: an accepted application is published within 12 months of filing at the latest, followed by a 2-month opposition period (statutory); INNORPI publishes no average.Details ↓What are the main risks?Earlier marks are enforced by opposition, not examination; if you are opposed and do not reply within 2 months, the application is deemed abandoned; renewal only within the 6 months before expiry, with no grace period.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Tunisia: key facts

OfficeNational Institute for Standardization and Industrial Property (Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété Industrielle, INNORPI), headquartered in Tunis, with regional offices in Sfax, Sousse, Medenine, Gabès and Béja. Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawLaw No. 2001-36 of 17 April 2001 on the protection of marks (as amended by Law No. 2007-50 of 2007); Government Decree No. 2015-303 of 2015 (registration and opposition procedure, entries in the register); Decree No. 2001-1934 of 2001 (official fees)
Madrid SystemMember of the Madrid Protocol (in force for Tunisia since 16 October 2013); Tunisia is not a party to the Madrid Agreement, so every designation pays Tunisia's individual fee (one amount for the first class plus a fee for each additional class), whichever office of origin you file from, and the refusal period is 18 months
Foreign applicantsApplicants domiciled abroad must appoint an agent established in Tunisia; the power of attorney must state its scope, and withdrawing or abandoning the application and renewal each need a special power of attorney
Multi-class applicationsAllowed; one application covers one mark and may list several classes, with the fee charged per application including the first class plus each additional class
Scope of examinationFormal requirements and absolute grounds (distinctiveness, state emblems, public order and morality, deceptiveness); INNORPI does not search earlier marks on its own initiative, and earlier rights are raised by their holders through opposition
Publication (statutory)An accepted application is published in INNORPI's Official Bulletin of Industrial Property within 12 months of the filing date at the latest; after registration, the mark is published again within 12 months at the latest
Opposition (statutory)2 months from publication; INNORPI organises conciliation between the parties and, if it fails, the opponent takes the matter to court
Priority (statutory)6 months under the Paris Convention; a copy of the earlier application certified by the office of first filing must be filed within 3 months of the Tunisian filing, otherwise priority is deemed not claimed
Term and renewal (statutory)10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely; the renewal declaration must be filed within the 6 months before expiry, the law provides no grace period, and a missed deadline can only be remedied by applying for restoration on legitimate grounds
Non-use (statutory)After 5 consecutive years without genuine use and without legitimate reason, any interested party can ask the court to revoke the registration
How to fileFiled with INNORPI's Tunis headquarters or a regional office, with official fees paid on the spot
Official filing feesTND 596 (tax included, covering 1 class), plus TND 119.4 for each additional class; a TND 96.2 registration certificate fee when the certificate is issued

Checked on 2026-10-15; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Which route

Direct filing or a Madrid designation

Tunisia is a member of the Madrid Protocol, and both routes give a trademark right valid in Tunisia, with examination and opposition handled by INNORPI in both cases. Tunisia is not a party to the Madrid Agreement, so the general Protocol rules apply to every designation, whichever office of origin you file from: you pay Tunisia's individual fee and the refusal period is 18 months.

ItemDirect filing with INNORPIMadrid designation of Tunisia
PrerequisiteNone; Tunisia can be applied for on its ownA basic application or registration at your office of origin, through which the international application is filed
Official feesTunisian dinars at INNORPI's rates: the filing fee covers the first class, each additional class is charged separately, and the certificate fee is paid when the certificate is issuedBasic fee and Tunisia's individual fee (one amount for the first class plus a fee for each additional class), paid to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Swiss francs; amounts in the WIPO fee calculator
AgentApplicants not domiciled in Tunisia must appoint a Tunisian agent at filingNo Tunisian agent is needed to file the international application; one must be appointed to answer a provisional refusal from INNORPI or to reply to an opposition
Examination and deadlinesFormal requirements and absolute grounds; if there is a defect, correct it or submit observations within 1 month of the noticeSame examination; INNORPI may notify a provisional refusal within 18 months, and a refusal based on an opposition may be notified after that period
Publication and oppositionPublished within 12 months of the filing date, followed by a 2-month opposition periodPublished in INNORPI's bulletin within 12 months of the designation, followed by a 2-month opposition period
Dependency riskNoneIf the basic application or registration is refused or cancelled within 5 years of the international registration date, the Tunisian designation falls with it
Best forYou only need Tunisia; or your home mark or goods differ from what you will use in TunisiaYou already have a home application or registration and plan to designate several Madrid members at once

Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online; the agent will recommend a route based on the search results. For the neighbouring North African countries, see Trademark registration in Morocco and Trademark registration in Algeria.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

For a direct application to INNORPI, foreign companies and individuals generally prepare the following information and documents. Signed documents other than the power of attorney follow the agent's instructions.

Applicant

  • Name (for a company, the name on its registration document, with a version in Latin script) and legal form
  • Registered address and correspondence address
  • Individuals and companies can both apply; joint applicants must all be named and appoint a common agent

Agent and power of attorney

  • Applicants domiciled abroad must appoint an agent established in Tunisia; INNORPI sends its notices to the agent
  • The power of attorney must state its scope; unless otherwise specified, it is deemed to cover all formalities and notices relating to the mark, but withdrawing or abandoning the application and renewal each need a special power of attorney
  • Neither the law nor INNORPI expressly requires notarisation or legalisation; follow the agent's instructions

The mark

  • Word mark: state the words
  • Figurative or combined mark: a clear representation no more than 10 cm on each side, in the number of copies required by the INNORPI form; if you claim colour, say so on the form
  • The application form offers word, figurative, combined, three-dimensional and sound marks; if the mark has acquired distinctiveness through use, attach evidence of use
  • A mark containing a state's coat of arms, flag, official emblem or official hallmark needs the authorisation of the competent authority of that state

Goods and services

  • Specific goods or services under the Nice Classification, with the class stated; one application can cover several classes
  • The INNORPI application form is in French, so it is advisable to prepare the list of goods and services in French
  • Clerical errors can be corrected after filing and before publication; a correction cannot broaden the scope of protection, and adding goods or services requires a new application

Priority

  • An earlier application filed abroad: priority can be claimed within 6 months, stating the country, date and number of the earlier application when filing
  • Within 3 months of the Tunisian filing, file a copy of the earlier application certified by the office of first filing; otherwise priority is deemed not claimed
  • A priority fee of TND 71.8 per claim (tax included) is paid in addition

Applications are filed with INNORPI's Tunis headquarters or its regional offices in Sfax, Sousse, Medenine, Gabès and Béja, with official fees paid on the spot; a receipt showing the filing date and application number is issued at once.

How long

Process and timeline

Example: a direct application to INNORPI with no refusal and no opposition.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    Search the Tunisian collection of WIPO's Global Brand Database and Madrid designations of Tunisia; INNORPI also offers a paid search of earlier marks (TND 36.7 per search)

  2. Step 2

    Filing and payment

    A receipt showing the filing date and application number is issued on the spot

  3. Step 3

    Formal and absolute-grounds examination

    If the application does not meet the requirements, INNORPI notifies you in writing; correct it or submit observations within 1 month (statutory), otherwise it is refused

  4. Step 4

    Publication

    An accepted application is published in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property within 12 months of the filing date at the latest (statutory ceiling)

  5. Step 5

    Opposition period

    Within 2 months of publication, earlier right holders can oppose (statutory); if opposed, you reply within 2 months

  6. Step 6

    Registration and certificate

    If no one opposes, the mark is entered in the register and the certificate is issued on payment of the certificate fee; the registration takes effect from the filing date and is published within 12 months of registration at the latest (statutory ceiling)

INNORPI publishes no average time from filing to registration; the law only requires publication within 12 months of the filing date. If an opposition is filed, INNORPI must organise conciliation within 8 months of the reply; if conciliation fails and the opponent goes to court, the registration procedure is suspended until the judgment.

How to read the periods: "statutory" = set by law; "official statistics" = averages published by the office; "estimate" = typical cases. Actual timing varies.

How much

Official fees

Official fees are charged per application (including the first class) plus a fee for each additional class, paid in full at filing; a certificate fee is paid when the registration certificate is collected after approval. INNORPI publishes its rates as tax-included amounts in Tunisian dinars, and renewal is charged in the same way, per application plus each additional class.

ItemChargedAmountApprox. USD
Paid on filing
Filing fee (incl. tax, first class included)Per application596 TND≈ USD 198
Filing: each additional class (incl. tax)Each additional class119.40 TND≈ USD 40
Priority claim fee (per priority, incl. tax)Per item71.80 TND≈ USD 24
Paid on registration
Registration certificate fee (paid on issue of the certificate, incl. tax)Per application96.20 TND≈ USD 32
Keeping the registration
Renewal (every 10 years, incl. tax, first class included)Per application774.50 TND≈ USD 257
Renewal: each additional class (incl. tax)Each additional class178.90 TND≈ USD 59
Renewal certificate fee (paid on issue of the renewal certificate, incl. tax)Per application96.20 TND≈ USD 32
Other
Opposition against a published application (per opposition, incl. tax)Per application417.50 TND≈ USD 139
INNORPI prior-mark search (per search, incl. tax)Per item36.70 TND≈ USD 12

Source: INNORPI, La protection des marques de fabrique, de commerce et de services；INNORPI (Arabic), علامات الصنع والتجارة والخدمات · current fees in force since 2023-02-06 · checked on 2026-10-15 · USD figures are approximate, converted at the Bank of China spot selling rate (or, for currencies it does not quote, at the central bank's published USD rate); the official fee is the amount in the original currency

Official fees are as published by the office; the service fee is quoted by an agent after you submit, and you pay only after accepting the quote.

Example: an application covering 3 classes pays 596 + 2 × 119.4 = TND 834.8 at filing; when the certificate is issued, a TND 96.2 registration certificate fee is added, for a total of TND 931.

Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to Tunisia and common refusals

These are the most common issues in Tunisian applications, together with Tunisia-specific rules that are easy to overlook.

Earlier marks are enforced by opposition, not by examination

INNORPI examines only absolute grounds such as distinctiveness, state emblems, public order and morality and deceptiveness; it will not refuse an application because of a similar earlier mark. The owner of an earlier registered or pending mark, a priority holder, the owner of a well-known mark and an exclusive licensee can oppose before INNORPI within 2 months of publication. The Official Bulletin of Industrial Property comes out monthly, so have someone watch it for your core brands and oppose similar applications in time.

No reply within 2 months of an opposition means the application is deemed abandoned

INNORPI notifies the applicant as soon as it receives an opposition; the applicant must file a reply and appoint an agent within 2 months, otherwise it is deemed to accept the opponent's claims and to abandon the application. INNORPI does not decide oppositions: it only organises conciliation between the parties within 8 months of the reply, and if conciliation fails and the opponent sues within 2 months, the registration procedure is suspended. Agree with your agent in advance how an opposition will be handled.

No grace period for renewal, and deadlines run from the filing date

The renewal declaration can only be filed within the last 6 months of the term, with a special power of attorney, and the mark and goods cannot be changed. The law provides no grace period after expiry; if you miss the deadline, you can only apply to INNORPI for restoration on legitimate grounds within 2 months after the obstacle ceases, and restoration is not guaranteed. The same applies to priority: the certified copy of the earlier application must be filed within 3 months of filing, otherwise priority lapses and restoration is the only remedy.

State emblems and deceptive signs are refused

Tunisian law prohibits the use, as a mark or part of a mark, of the coats of arms, flags, emblems and abbreviated names of states or intergovernmental organisations, and of official hallmarks adopted by a state, unless the competent authority of that state or organisation gives its authorisation. Signs contrary to public order or morality, or likely to mislead the public as to the nature, quality or origin of the goods, are also refused. Check in advance what a word mark means in French and Arabic.

Revocation and invalidity go through the courts, and claims against fraudulent filings are time-limited

After 5 consecutive years without genuine use and without legitimate reason, any interested party can ask the court to revoke the registration, and the burden of proving use lies with the owner. Invalidity based on an earlier right is decided by the court; if the other party filed in good faith and you tolerated its use for 5 years, the action is no longer admissible, and an invalidity action based on a well-known mark must be brought within 5 years of registration unless the registration was made in bad faith. If someone filed your mark fraudulently, you can ask the court to declare that the mark belongs to you, within 3 years of publication of the registration, with no time limit in cases of bad faith.

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After registration

Keeping the registration

A Tunisian registration requires no periodic declarations of use, but non-use exposes the mark to revocation, and a missed renewal deadline means the registration lapses.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
Throughout the registrationKeep the mark in genuine use in Tunisia and keep evidence; after 5 consecutive years of non-use, others can ask the court for revocationNone
Within the 6 months before expiry, then every 10 yearsRenew, with a special power of attorney; renewal is only possible as the mark stands in the register, with no change to the mark and no additional goodsTND 774.5 (tax included, covering 1 class), plus TND 178.9 for each additional class; a further TND 96.2 for the renewal certificate
Missed renewal deadlineNo grace period; with legitimate grounds, apply for restoration within 2 months after the obstacle ceases, completing the renewal formalities firstA restoration fee, at the amount published by INNORPI
Any timeRecord assignments, licences, pledges and other changes of rights (enforceable against third parties only once recorded); changes of name, legal form or addressRecordal fees as published by INNORPI

After registration you can ask Tunisian customs in writing to detain suspected infringing imports; once goods are detained, you must show customs within 10 working days (extendable by a further 10 working days where necessary) that you have brought a court action and obtained protective measures. Customs can also detain goods on their own initiative and notify you, in which case you must file your request within 3 days. Online marketplaces' brand registry programmes also usually require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Tunisia

How much does a Tunisian trademark cost?

INNORPI's published tax-included rates: filing TND 596 (covering 1 class), plus TND 119.4 for each additional class, paid in full at filing; after approval, a TND 96.2 certificate fee when the registration certificate is collected. For 3 classes, for example, the filing fee is TND 834.8, and with the certificate fee the total is TND 931. A priority claim costs TND 71.8 per claim. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order.

How long does trademark registration in Tunisia take?

INNORPI publishes no average. The law requires an accepted application to be published within 12 months of the filing date at the latest, followed by a 2-month opposition period; if no one opposes, the mark is registered. If you receive a notice during examination, you have 1 month to correct the application or submit observations; if you are opposed, there is conciliation of up to 8 months, and if it fails and the opponent sues, you wait for the court's judgment.

Do foreign applicants need a local agent in Tunisia?

For a direct application, yes. The law requires applicants domiciled abroad to appoint an agent established in Tunisia, with a power of attorney stating its scope; withdrawing or abandoning the application and renewal each need a special power of attorney. For a Madrid designation, no agent is needed at filing; one is appointed when INNORPI issues a provisional refusal or an opposition has to be answered. Whether the power of attorney needs notarisation or legalisation follows the agent's instructions.

Can I designate Tunisia through the Madrid System?

Yes. The Madrid Protocol has applied to Tunisia since 16 October 2013; if you have a home application or registration, you can file an international application through your office of origin designating Tunisia. Tunisia is not a party to the Madrid Agreement, so every designation pays Tunisia's individual fee (one amount for the first class plus a fee for each additional class), whichever office of origin you file from, and INNORPI's refusal period is 18 months, with refusals based on an opposition allowed after that period. The designation is published in INNORPI's bulletin within 12 months, followed by the same 2-month opposition period. Note: if the basic application or registration fails within 5 years of the international registration date, the Tunisian designation falls with it.

How long is the opposition period in Tunisia, and how are oppositions handled?

Within 2 months of publication in INNORPI's Official Bulletin of Industrial Property, the owner of an earlier registered or pending mark, a priority holder, the owner of a well-known mark or an exclusive licensee can oppose in writing, paying an opposition fee of TND 417.5. INNORPI notifies the applicant at once; the applicant replies within 2 months, and no reply means the application is deemed abandoned; the applicant can also require the opponent to prove that its mark has not lapsed for non-use. INNORPI does not decide: it only organises conciliation, and if that fails the opponent sues within 2 months, suspending the registration procedure.

What if I miss the renewal deadline in Tunisia?

The renewal declaration can only be filed within the last 6 months of the term, and the law provides no grace period after expiry. If you miss it, the only remedy is to apply to INNORPI for restoration: complete the renewal formalities first, file within 2 months after the obstacle ceases, state the legitimate grounds and pay the restoration fee; late requests, or requests without legitimate grounds, are not admitted. At renewal the mark cannot be changed and the goods cannot be extended; any change requires a new application.

Other IP rights

Patents: a Tunisian patent lasts 20 years from the filing date, subject to annual maintenance fees, and is handled by INNORPI; Patent Law No. 2000-84 provides only for patents of invention. Tunisia has been party to the PCT since 10 December 2001, so PCT applications can enter the Tunisian national phase; a European patent application can also request validation in Tunisia (validation agreement in force since 1 December 2017).

Designs: a registered design is protected for 5, 10 or 15 years, as chosen by the applicant at filing, up to a maximum of 15 years; a 5- or 10-year term can be extended by a declaration filed within the 6 months before it expires. Tunisia has been party to the Hague Agreement since 20 October 1930, so Tunisia can also be designated through the Hague System.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

Morocco　·　Algeria　·　Egypt　·　France

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