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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Germany

To register a trademark in Germany, file with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) or apply for an EU trademark covering all member states. The DPMA examines only absolute grounds and registers before any opposition; applicants without a residence or place of business in Germany must use a lawyer or patent attorney.

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Trademark registration in Germany

Five questions first

Which route?File with the DPMA if Germany is your main market and fees and speed matter; apply for an EU trademark to enter several EU countries; with a home application or registration, you can also designate Germany through Madrid.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, the mark (non-Latin characters need a German translation, transliteration and transcription), a list of goods in German, and a lawyer or patent attorney from Germany or the EU.Details ↓How are official fees charged?EUR 290 for an online application including 3 classes, plus EUR 100 for each class from the 4th; accelerated examination costs EUR 200 more. Service fees are quoted after you submit the order.Details ↓How long does it take?Official statistics: in 2025, registration took 2.9 months on average from filing, or 1.2 months with accelerated examination; a 3-month opposition period follows publication of the registration.Details ↓What are the main risks?The DPMA does not check earlier marks, so a registration can be opposed within 3 months; earlier company names and unregistered marks in use can also be relied on; descriptive marks are refused.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Germany: key facts

OfficeGerman Patent and Trade Mark Office (Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt, DPMA). Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawTrade Mark Act (Markengesetz, MarkenG); procedural rules in the Trade Mark Ordinance (Markenverordnung, MarkenV); official fees in the Patent Costs Act (Patentkostengesetz, PatKostG)
Territorial scopeThe whole of Germany; EU trademarks and international registrations designating Germany are also valid in Germany
Basis of rightsMainly registration; unregistered marks that have acquired recognition among the relevant public through use in Germany, and business identifiers such as company names and work titles, are also protected
Foreign applicantsApplicants with no residence, seat or establishment in Germany must appoint a lawyer or patent attorney as domestic representative; lawyers and patent attorneys from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland can also act
LanguageGerman. A filing in another language keeps its filing date, but a German translation of the list of goods must follow within 3 months; marks containing non-Latin characters, such as Chinese, need a German translation, transliteration and transcription
Examination scopeOnly absolute grounds such as distinctiveness and descriptiveness; earlier marks are not checked, and their owners assert them through opposition or invalidity
Madrid SystemMember of the Protocol since 20 March 1996; Germany can be designated through Madrid
Multi-class applicationsAllowed; the filing fee includes 3 classes, with a fee for each class from the 4th
Examination time (official statistics)2025: 2.9 months on average from filing to registration; 1.2 months with accelerated examination
Opposition period (statutory)3 months from publication of the registration; Germany registers first and hears oppositions afterwards
Term and renewal10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for 10 years at a time; late renewal for an extra fee within 6 months after expiry
Non-use (statutory)Third parties can seek revocation if the mark is not put to genuine use in Germany for 5 consecutive years after the opposition period ends (or opposition proceedings conclude)
Filing feeEUR 290 for an online application including 3 classes, EUR 100 for each class from the 4th (in force since 1 January 2002)

Checked on 2026-10-06; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Which route

A German trademark or an EU trademark

Germany is an EU member state: a German trademark filed with the DPMA and an EU trademark filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) both give protection in Germany, and the two can coexist. They differ in coverage, fees, examination and risk; see EU trademark registration.

If you already have a home application or registration, you can also designate Germany or the EU through the Madrid System. For designations of Germany, the DPMA likewise examines only absolute grounds; the 3-month opposition period starts on the first day of the month after the month in which the WIPO Gazette issue publishing the international registration appears.

ItemGerman application (DPMA)EU trademark (EUIPO)
CoverageGermany onlyAll 27 member states (including Germany); it can only be registered, transferred or lapse as a whole
Filing feesEUR 290 online including 3 classes, EUR 100 for each class from the 4th, paid to the DPMABasic fee EUR 850 including 1 class, EUR 50 for the 2nd class and EUR 150 for each class from the 3rd, paid to the EUIPO
Examination and oppositionAbsolute grounds only; registered and published first, then open to opposition for 3 monthsAbsolute grounds only; published first, and registered only if no opposition is filed within the 3-month period
Timing (official statistics)2.9 months on average from filing to registration in 2025About 4.4 months on average with no objections and no opposition (Q4 2025)
LanguageGerman; the list of goods must be in GermanAny one of the 24 official languages, plus a second language
RepresentationForeign applicants need a lawyer or patent attorney from Germany, the EU, the EEA or Switzerland from filing onwardsNot required to file; later proceedings require a professional representative in the EEA
Conflict riskOnly earlier rights valid in Germany matterAn earlier right in any member state, or a descriptive meaning in any official language, affects the whole application
Best forGermany is your main market; the mark may be descriptive in another EU language; a limited budgetYou plan to enter several EU countries and want a single registration to manage

The two can be combined: file in Germany first to secure a filing date, then claim its priority for an EU trademark within 6 months; if an EU trademark application is refused, it can be converted into a German application keeping the original filing date. Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

For a direct application to the DPMA, prepare the following information and documents. Signed documents such as a power of attorney are provided following the agent's instructions.

Applicant

  • Name (for a company, its full legal name as registered) and address
  • Individuals, legal entities and partnerships with legal capacity can all apply

Domestic representative

  • Without a residence or place of business in Germany, you must appoint a lawyer or patent attorney; lawyers and patent attorneys from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland who are authorised to act before the DPMA can also act
  • If you change representative, notify the DPMA of the new one at the same time; otherwise the original authorisation does not end

The mark

  • State the type of mark (word, figurative, combined, three-dimensional, colour, etc.) and file a clear representation; it cannot be changed after filing
  • Do not add the ® symbol to the representation: it may be considered deceptive and lead to refusal
  • Non-Latin characters, such as Chinese, need a German translation, a transliteration into Latin letters and a transcription; the DPMA can require these to be certified by a lawyer or patent attorney or made by a recognised translator

Goods and services

  • List them by Nice class in clear, precise terms; class headings can be used only where their meaning is clear. Standard terms can be chosen from the DPMA's uniform classification database (eKDB)
  • You can name a lead class (Leitklasse), which decides which examining section handles the application; if the class fees paid on renewal fall short, the lead class is kept first
  • A German translation of a list in another language must be filed within 3 months; after filing, the list can only be narrowed, not extended

Priority

  • Earlier application filed abroad: priority can be claimed within 6 months
  • State the date and country of the earlier application within 2 months of filing; when the DPMA asks, supply its number and a copy within 2 months, or priority is lost

Once an application has a filing date it is published, including the applicant's name and address. The DPMA states the filing fee only in its filing receipt and sends no separate invoice; if you receive a letter asking for payment, check that it really comes from the DPMA.

How long

Process and timeline

Example: an online application with no opposition.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    Search German marks, EU trademarks and international registrations designating Germany, and check company names already in use

  2. Step 2

    Filing

    File online and receive an application number; the filing fee must be paid in full within 3 months or the application is deemed withdrawn (statutory)

  3. Step 3

    Formalities and absolute grounds

    Objections are raised where there are issues; with accelerated examination, the DPMA must decide within 6 months of filing

  4. Step 4

    Registration and publication

    2.9 months on average from filing in 2025, 1.2 months with accelerated examination (official statistics); the registration is published in the Trade Mark Journal (Markenblatt) and a certificate is issued

  5. Step 5

    Opposition period

    Within 3 months of publication of the registration, owners of earlier rights can oppose (statutory)

  6. Step 6

    Opposition (if any)

    At the joint request of both parties, a settlement period of at least 2 months is granted (statutory); if the opposition succeeds, the registration is cancelled in whole or in part

Timing figures are from the DPMA's 2025 factsheet. The DPMA notes a sharp rise in applications and in invalidity and revocation requests, and examination currently takes longer. Opposition proceedings after registration have no fixed duration.

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

German filing fees are charged per application (including the first 3 classes) plus each class from the 4th; there is no separate registration fee, and online filing costs EUR 10 less than paper filing. The table below shows the current fees published by the DPMA.

ItemChargedAmountApprox. USD
Paid on filing
Application fee (online filing, up to three classes included)Per application290 EUR≈ USD 325
Class fee: each class from the fourthEach class from the fourth100 EUR≈ USD 112
Payable when applicable
Application fee for paper filing (instead of online filing, up to three classes included; not additional)Per application300 EUR≈ USD 337
Accelerated examination fee (payable within three months of filing)Per application200 EUR≈ USD 224
Keeping the registration
Renewal fee (every 10 years, up to three classes included)Per application750 EUR≈ USD 841
Renewal class fee: each class from the fourthEach class from the fourth260 EUR≈ USD 292
Late renewal surcharge (within 6 months after expiry, on top of the renewal fee; class fees from the fourth class carry a further surcharge)Per application50 EUR≈ USD 56

Source: DPMA Fees for trade mark rights; Patentkostengesetz, Anlage (Gebührenverzeichnis) Nr. 332 101 · current fees in force since 2005-01-01 · checked on 2026-10-07 · 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.

Need to register a trademark in Germany?

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Example: an online application covering 3 classes costs EUR 290 in official fees; 5 classes cost EUR 290 + 2 × EUR 100 = EUR 490, payable within 3 months of filing.

Accelerated examination costs an extra EUR 200, also payable within 3 months; if it is not paid, the application is examined in the normal procedure. Filing fees are not refunded once paid, even if the application is withdrawn.

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

Watch out

Rules specific to Germany and common refusals

These are the most common issues in German examination, along with German-specific rules that are easy to overlook.

Registration first, opposition later

The DPMA does not check earlier marks: an application that meets the requirements is registered and published first. Within 3 months of publication, owners of earlier marks, company names and other rights can oppose, and a successful opposition cancels the registration. If the opposing mark has been registered for at least 5 years, you can require the opponent to prove use in Germany during the last 5 years.

Unregistered marks and company names can block you

Germany protects unregistered marks that have acquired recognition through use, as well as business identifiers such as company names and work titles; all of them can support an opposition or an invalidity action. Searching the register is not enough: check names already used in the market too.

Non-Latin marks need a translation, transliteration and transcription

Marks containing Chinese or other non-Latin characters need a German translation, a transliteration into Latin letters and a transcription, and the DPMA examines the mark on the basis of the German translation. If the meaning directly describes the goods or services, the mark is refused on absolute grounds; a distinctive figurative element or an invented word reduces this risk.

No ® in the representation

The DPMA expressly warns that a ® symbol in the representation may be considered misleading to the public and lead to refusal. The representation cannot be changed after filing, so file the mark exactly as you want it protected.

Bad-faith filings get close scrutiny

The DPMA says its examiners pay particular attention to bad-faith applications and refuse obviously bad-faith ones outright; anyone can submit written observations before registration explaining why a mark should not be registered. After registration, you can ask the DPMA to declare the mark invalid on grounds of bad faith. If someone else has filed your brand, these are the tools to use.

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After registration

Keeping the registration

A German registration needs no periodic declarations of use, but a mark that is not used can be revoked. Renewal only requires paying the fee on time; the DPMA sends a reminder 8 months before expiry but accepts no liability if it does not.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
From 5 years after the opposition period ends (or opposition proceedings conclude)Keep using the mark genuinely in Germany and keep evidence; after 5 consecutive years of non-use, third parties can seek revocation before the DPMA or the courtsNone
Within 6 months before expiry, then every 10 yearsPay the renewal fee to renew; to renew only some of the goods, use the formEUR 750 including 3 classes, EUR 260 for each class from the 4th
Within 6 months after expiryLate renewal in the grace period for an extra fee; after that, the registration is cancelledRenewal fee plus EUR 50; with more than 3 classes, the class fees also carry a surcharge
Any timeRecord licences; record partial transfersLicence EUR 50; partial transfer EUR 300; no official fee for a full transfer

Once registered, you can file an application for customs action through German customs' ZGR-online system, asking customs to detain suspected infringing goods at import or export; it is free and valid for up to 1 year at a time. On the basis of an EU trademark, one application can cover several member states. E-commerce brand registries usually also require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Germany

How much does a German trademark cost?

The official fee for an online application is EUR 290, including 3 classes; each class from the 4th costs EUR 100. For example, 3 classes cost EUR 290 and 5 classes EUR 490. Accelerated examination costs EUR 200 more. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

How long does German trademark registration take?

According to DPMA figures for 2025, registration took 2.9 months on average from filing, or 1.2 months with accelerated examination. A 3-month opposition period follows publication of the registration, and the registration is relatively secure only once it passes without opposition. The DPMA notes that high application volumes currently make examination take longer.

I already have an EU trademark. Do I also need a German trademark?

An EU trademark is valid in Germany, so you do not need a German trademark for the same mark. A separate German filing usually makes sense if you only target Germany and want lower fees and faster registration, or if the mark may be descriptive in another EU language. A refused EU trademark application can also be converted into a German application, keeping the original filing date. For a comparison, see EU trademark registration.

Do foreign applicants need a German representative?

Yes. Applicants with no residence, seat or establishment in Germany must appoint a lawyer or patent attorney as domestic representative to take part in DPMA proceedings; lawyers and patent attorneys from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland who are authorised to act before the DPMA can also act.

What if my German registration is opposed?

Germany registers first and hears oppositions afterwards: within 3 months of publication of the registration, owners of earlier marks or company names can oppose. Start by checking the grounds and the goods involved; at the joint request of both parties, the DPMA grants at least 2 months to negotiate a settlement. If the opposing mark has been registered for at least 5 years, you can require proof of its use in Germany during the last 5 years.

Can I register a mark in Chinese or another non-Latin script?

Yes. The application must include a German translation, a transliteration into Latin letters and a transcription; the DPMA examines the mark on the basis of the German translation and may require these to be certified by a lawyer or patent attorney or made by a recognised translator. If the meaning directly describes the goods, the mark is refused like any other.

Other IP rights

Patents: German patents are examined by the DPMA and last 20 years from the filing date; PCT applications can enter the German national phase, and a European patent granted by the European Patent Office can be validated in Germany. Utility models (Gebrauchsmuster) are registered without examination of novelty or inventive step and last up to 10 years.

Designs: registered designs are protected for up to 25 years from the filing date, maintained by paying a fee every 5 years; the DPMA examines formalities only. You can also apply for a registered EU design valid in all member states.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

European Union Intellectual Property Office · France · Benelux Office for Intellectual Property · Switzerland · United Kingdom · Turkey

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