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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Hungary

To register a trademark in Hungary, file with the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO), apply for an EU trademark or designate Hungary through Madrid. HIPO does not refuse applications over earlier marks: it only issues a search report, and their owners oppose within 3 months of publication. Applicants outside the EEA need a Hungarian representative.

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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 HIPO if Hungary is your main market and you want to control costs; choose an EU trademark to enter several EU countries; with a home application or registration, you can also designate Hungary through Madrid.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, a representation of the mark, goods or services in Hungarian by Nice class, and a signed power of attorney for your Hungarian representative.Details ↓How are official fees charged?One filing fee, paid in one go and set by number of classes: HUF 81,000 for 1 class, HUF 148,500 for 3, plus HUF 54,000 for each class from the 5th; nothing more is charged on registration. Service fees are quoted by the agent.Details ↓How long does it take?Official statistics: in 2024, national registrations took 21 weeks on average (about 5.25 months), including the statutory 3-month opposition period after publication; accelerated examination is available for a fee.Details ↓What are the main risks?The filing fee must be paid within 1 month of filing or the application is deemed withdrawn; HIPO does not examine earlier marks, so everything rests on oppositions; applicants based outside the EEA must use a representative.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Hungary: key facts

OfficeHungarian Intellectual Property Office (Szellemi Tulajdon Nemzeti Hivatala, SZTNH; HIPO). Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawAct XI of 1997 on the Protection of Trade Marks and Geographical Indications (consolidated text as at 1 January 2026); official fees under Decree No. 19/2005 (IV. 12.) GKM, current amounts in force since 13 April 2025
Other routesAn EU trademark covers Hungary; Hungary has been party to the Madrid Agreement since 1 January 1909 and the Madrid Protocol since 3 October 1997, so Hungary can be designated through Madrid
Madrid designation of HungaryHungary has not declared an individual fee: a designation of Hungary costs only the CHF 100 complementary fee (plus a supplementary fee for more than 3 classes), whatever your office of origin. Where the office of origin is bound by both the Agreement and the Protocol (e.g. China), the refusal period is 12 months under Article 9sexies of the Protocol; from an office bound by the Protocol only, the refusal period is the one Hungary has notified to WIPO under the Protocol
Foreign applicantsApplicants whose domicile or seat is outside the European Economic Area must act through a Hungarian patent attorney (szabadalmi ügyvivő) or attorney-at-law (ügyvéd) in all trademark matters before HIPO; the power of attorney only needs the applicant's signature
LanguageHungarian; if the list of goods or services is filed in another language, the Hungarian list must follow within 2 months of the filing date; for other foreign-language documents HIPO may ask for a translation, and certification only where there is reasonable doubt about the translation or the authenticity of the document
Examination scopeHIPO examines absolute grounds only (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, public policy, etc.) of its own motion; it searches earlier marks and sends the search report to the applicant, and conflicts are raised by opposition from the owners of earlier rights
Multi-class applicationsOne application covers one mark and can include several classes; the filing fee is set in bands for 1, 2, 3 and 4 classes, with HUF 54,000 added for each class from the 5th
Filing fee deadline (statutory)Within 1 month of the filing date, with no extension; if unpaid, the application is deemed withdrawn. There is no separate registration fee after approval, and the filing fee is not refunded if the application is refused
Publication and opposition (statutory)Published in HIPO's official gazette (Szabadalmi Közlöny és Védjegyértesítő) at least 15 days after the search report is sent; owners of earlier rights can oppose within 3 months of publication, for an opposition fee of HUF 86,000
Average time (official statistics)HIPO's Annual Report 2024: national trademark registrations were completed in 21 weeks on average (about 5.25 months), and have stayed under 6 months since 2020; 77% of the applications concluded in 2024 were registered
Accelerated examinationWithin 1 month of filing, you can request accelerated examination (for a further fee equal to the filing fee) or special accelerated examination (1.5 times the filing fee; the mark is registered at publication and the registration becomes final if no opposition is filed within the opposition period)
Term and renewal10 years from the filing date; file the renewal request and pay the fee within the 6 months before expiry; within 6 months after expiry, renewal is still possible with a HUF 40,500 surcharge
Non-use (statutory)If the mark is not genuinely used in Hungary within 5 years of registration, or use is suspended for 5 consecutive years, anyone can ask HIPO to revoke it (request fee HUF 190,000)

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

Which route

A national application or an EU trademark

Trademark protection in Hungary can come from three routes: a national application to HIPO, an EU trademark application to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with one registration covering all 27 member states, or a designation of Hungary or the EU in a Madrid international application. The table compares the first two; for details of EU trademarks, see EU trademark registration.

ItemNational application (HIPO)EU trademark (EUIPO)
CoverageHungary onlyAll 27 member states (including Hungary); registered and maintained only as a whole
Official feesOne filing fee in bands by number of classes, paid in one go: HUF 81,000 for 1 class, HUF 108,000 for 2, HUF 148,500 for 3, HUF 202,500 for 4, plus HUF 54,000 for each class from the 5th; nothing more is charged on registrationEUR 850 including 1 class, EUR 50 for the 2nd class and EUR 150 for each class from the 3rd
LanguageHungarian; a list of goods filed in another language must be followed by the Hungarian version within 2 monthsFile in any of the 24 official languages and choose a second language
Examination and refusalAbsolute grounds only, of HIPO's own motion; earlier marks appear in a search report and are not a ground for refusalA ground for refusal in any member state or any official language leads to refusal of the whole application
OppositionWithin 3 months of publication, by owners of earlier rights valid in Hungary (including EU trademarks, international registrations designating Hungary and unregistered signs used earlier)Within 3 months of publication, by owners of earlier rights in any member state
Representation of foreign applicantsApplicants based outside the EEA must act through a Hungarian patent attorney or attorney-at-law from filing onwards, for every stepNot required to file; later proceedings require a professional representative in the EEA
Use requirementGenuine use in Hungary within 5 years of registrationGenuine use in the EU within 5 years of registration, assessed across the EU as a whole
Best forHungary is your main market; a limited budget; the mark may be descriptive or face conflicts in another EU languageYou are entering several member states at once and want one registration to manage

The Madrid route: with a home application or registration, you can designate Hungary or the EU in an international application. Hungary has not declared an individual fee, so a designation of Hungary costs only the CHF 100 complementary fee (plus a supplementary fee for more than 3 classes), whatever your office of origin; where the office of origin is bound by both the Madrid Agreement and the Protocol (e.g. China), Article 9sexies of the Protocol also fixes the refusal period at 12 months. HIPO draws up a search report for international registrations designating Hungary, examines absolute grounds and publishes the designation in its gazette; owners of earlier rights can oppose within 3 months of that publication. To reply to a provisional refusal or an opposition before HIPO, applicants based abroad need a Hungarian representative.

A refused EU trademark application can be converted, under EU rules, into national applications in member states such as Hungary where there is no ground for refusal, keeping the original filing date; the conversion fee is HUF 20,000 less than the ordinary filing fee. Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online; the agent will recommend a route based on the search results.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

For a Hungarian trademark application to HIPO, applicants based abroad usually prepare the following information and documents.

Applicant

  • Name (for a company, its registered name) and the address of its domicile or seat
  • Individuals, companies and other organisations can apply; if two or more applicants file together, state each applicant's share of the right

Representative and power of attorney

  • Applicants whose domicile or seat is outside the European Economic Area can act before HIPO only through a Hungarian patent attorney or attorney-at-law, in every trademark matter; they cannot file themselves
  • The power of attorney takes effect with the applicant's signature; it can cover one application or all of the applicant's trademark matters before HIPO (a general power of attorney). No notarisation or legalisation is required; other signature formalities follow the agent's instructions

The mark

  • One application covers one mark; the representation must let the office and the public determine clearly and precisely what is protected, and it cannot be changed after filing
  • A word mark can simply be written in standard characters; figurative, combined and three-dimensional marks need a clear representation

Goods and services

  • Listed by Nice class, clearly and specifically; the general indications of the class headings can be used only where their meaning is sufficiently clear
  • The final list must be in Hungarian: if filed in another language, the Hungarian list must follow within 2 months of the filing date, otherwise the application is deemed withdrawn. HIPO recommends the harmonised EU TMclass terms, which exist in Hungarian; English terms can be looked up first in EU trademark classification table on this site
  • After filing, goods can be deleted but the list cannot be extended

Priority

  • Earlier application filed abroad: priority can be claimed within 6 months; declare it within 2 months of the Hungarian filing date and file the priority document within 4 months
  • A priority claim costs nothing extra in a Hungarian application

The filing fee must be paid in full within 1 month of the filing date, and this period cannot be extended; the agent usually pays it on filing. HIPO issues no invoice, and the fee is not refunded if the application is refused.

How long

Process and timeline

Example: a direct application to HIPO with no opposition.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    Search Hungarian marks, EU trademarks and international registrations designating Hungary; HIPO also offers a paid search service, with a preliminary search report within 5 working days

  2. Step 2

    Filing and filing fee

    The agent files through HIPO's TM e-Filing system; the filing fee is paid in full within 1 month of the filing date (statutory). If the documents are insufficient to establish a filing date, they can be completed within 30 days, and the date of completion becomes the filing date

  3. Step 3

    Formalities and absolute-grounds examination

    An unclear list of goods, several marks in one application and similar defects are notified for correction; objections on absolute grounds such as distinctiveness or descriptiveness are notified for reply, and an application with no reply is deemed withdrawn

  4. Step 4

    Search report on earlier rights

    HIPO searches earlier marks and sends the search report to the applicant; the report is for information only, and you can decide on that basis whether to continue or withdraw

  5. Step 5

    Publication and opposition period

    Published in HIPO's gazette at least 15 days after the search report is sent; owners of earlier rights can oppose within 3 months of publication (statutory), and the parties can jointly request a settlement period of 2 to 6 months

  6. Step 6

    Registration and certificate

    With no opposition, or once an opposition is rejected, HIPO decides to register the mark; the date of the decision is the registration date, and the mark is entered in the register, published and the certificate issued

HIPO's Annual Report 2024 (official statistics): national trademark registrations were completed in 21 weeks on average (about 5.25 months) and have stayed under 6 months since 2020; opposed cases take considerably longer. Within 1 month of filing, you can request accelerated examination (publication without waiting 15 days, reply periods shortened to 15 days) or special accelerated examination (the mark is registered at publication and becomes final if no opposition is filed); the fees are in the official fees section.

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

Hungarian official fees are paid in one go: the filing fee, charged by number of classes when you file, and nothing more on registration. The filing fee is set in bands for 1, 2, 3 and 4 classes, with a surcharge for each class from the 5th; renewal is charged at the same rates as filing. The table below shows the current rates published by HIPO under Decree No. 19/2005 (IV. 12.) GKM, in force since 13 April 2025.

ItemChargedAmountApprox. USD
Paid on filing
Filing fee (first class included; single payment, no registration fee)Per application81,000 HUF≈ USD 252
Filing: second class (2 classes total HUF 108,000)Second class27,000 HUF≈ USD 84
Filing: third class (3 classes total HUF 148,500; fourth and each further class HUF 54,000, 4 classes total 202,500)Each class from the third40,500 HUF≈ USD 126
Payable when applicable
Accelerated procedure fee (request within 1 month of filing; equal to the filing fee: 1 class 81,000, 2 classes 108,000, 3 classes 148,500, 4 classes 202,500, each further class 54,000)Per application81,000 HUF≈ USD 252
Special accelerated procedure fee (registration at publication; 1.5 × filing fee: 1 class 121,500, 2 classes 162,000, 3 classes 222,750, 4 classes 303,750, each further class 81,000)Per application121,500 HUF≈ USD 378
Extension of a time limit to reply (first request 7,000; second 12,500; each further 23,500)Per item7,000 HUF≈ USD 22
Keeping the registration
Renewal fee (every 10 years; first class included, within 6 months before expiry)Per application81,000 HUF≈ USD 252
Renewal: second class (2 classes total HUF 108,000)Second class27,000 HUF≈ USD 84
Renewal: third class (3 classes total HUF 148,500; fourth and each further class HUF 54,000)Each class from the third40,500 HUF≈ USD 126
Supplementary fee for renewal within 6 months after expiry (in addition to the renewal fee)Per application40,500 HUF≈ USD 126
Other
Opposition fee (within 3 months of publication; payable within 1 month of filing the opposition)Per application86,000 HUF≈ USD 267
Request for cancellation or revocation (including non-use revocation)Per application190,000 HUF≈ USD 590
Request for recording a succession in title (assignment)Per application22,000 HUF≈ USD 68
Request for recording a licence or a right of pledgePer application22,000 HUF≈ USD 68

Source: HIPO Schedule of fees concerning trade mark applications and registered trade marks · current fees in force since 2025-04-13 · 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 costs HUF 148,500 on filing and nothing on registration, HUF 148,500 in official fees in total; 5 classes cost HUF 202,500 + HUF 54,000 = HUF 256,500.

Accelerated examination costs a further fee equal to the filing fee (HUF 148,500 for 3 classes); special accelerated examination costs 1.5 times the filing fee (HUF 222,750 for 3 classes). Extending a reply deadline costs HUF 7,000 the first time, HUF 12,500 the second time and HUF 23,500 each time after that.

Forint amounts are converted at the exchange rate on the day of payment. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to Hungary and common refusals

These are common issues in Hungarian applications, along with Hungarian-specific rules that are easy to overlook.

The filing fee is due within 1 month and the period cannot be extended

The filing fee must be paid in full within 1 month of the filing date; this is a statutory period and no extension is possible. HIPO sends a payment notice, but if the fee is still unpaid at the end of the period the application is deemed withdrawn. The filing fee is a procedural fee and is not refunded if the application is refused. If you use a representative, the representative pays it on filing.

Earlier marks are handled by opposition, not examination

HIPO does not refuse an application because of a similar earlier mark; it only lists the earlier marks found in a search report sent to the applicant, and the report has no legal effect. Owners of earlier Hungarian marks, EU trademarks, international registrations designating Hungary and well-known marks, earlier users of unregistered signs actually used in Hungary, and holders of name rights, copyright and similar rights can oppose within 3 months of publication; with no opposition, they can still apply for invalidation after registration. Searching before you file costs less than amending after an opposition.

Applicants based outside the EEA must use a Hungarian patent attorney or attorney-at-law

Applicants whose domicile or seat is outside the European Economic Area can conduct every trademark matter before HIPO (filing, replies, oppositions, renewal) only through a Hungarian patent attorney or attorney-at-law. The same applies to Madrid designations of Hungary: to reply to a provisional refusal or an opposition before HIPO, a Hungarian representative must be appointed.

Statutory periods cannot be extended; a missed deadline must be restored within 15 days

Periods set directly by law (1 month for the filing fee, 2 months for the Hungarian list of goods, 3 months for opposition and so on) cannot be extended, and missing them has immediate consequences. Only reply periods set by HIPO can be extended, for a fee, before they expire. If a deadline is missed for good reason, restoration must be requested within 15 days of the obstacle ceasing, and at the latest within 6 months of the missed deadline.

Signs containing the Hungarian coat of arms, the flag or strong religious symbols cannot be registered

Marks containing state emblems, flags, official hallmarks and other signs listed in Article 6ter of the Paris Convention, or badges and heraldic devices of public interest, are refused unless the competent authority has given its consent; a separate decree governs consent for the Hungarian coat of arms and flag. A mark is also refused if the element determining its overall impression is a symbol strongly expressing religious or other beliefs.

The representation cannot be changed after filing, and goods can only be deleted

The representation of the mark cannot be amended during the application, and the list of goods or services can only be narrowed, not extended; to add goods or change the representation, you need a new application. HIPO reminds applicants to settle the final representation and scope of goods before filing.

Get a trademark search report: can your mark be registered in Hungary?

Sign in, enter the mark and goods and submit a preliminary search; charged per search, with the report delivered to your account and email.

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After registration

Keeping the registration

A Hungarian registration needs no periodic declarations of use; renewal requires a request and the renewal fee. HIPO sends one reminder no later than 6 months before expiry, but bears no responsibility if the reminder is missed.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
Throughout the life of the registrationKeep using the mark genuinely in Hungary and keep evidence; if the mark is not used within 5 years of registration or use is suspended for 5 consecutive years, anyone can ask HIPO to revoke itNone
Within the 6 months before expiry (10 years from the filing date), then every 10 yearsFile the renewal request and pay the renewal fee, quoting the registration number; to renew only some classes, state which. The mark cannot be changed and the goods cannot be extended on renewalHUF 81,000 for 1 class, HUF 108,000 for 2, HUF 148,500 for 3, HUF 202,500 for 4, plus HUF 54,000 for each class from the 5th
Within 6 months after expiryLate renewal with a surcharge on top of the renewal fee; after this period the registration lapsesRenewal fee + HUF 40,500
Any timeRecord assignments, licences, pledges, changes of name or address and other entriesRecording an assignment HUF 22,000; recording a licence or pledge HUF 22,000

Once registered, you can file an application for action with Hungarian customs under Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, asking them to detain suspected infringing goods at import or export; on the basis of an EU trademark, a Union application covering several member states is also possible. HIPO also offers a paid trademark watch service that notifies you when a similar later application is published, so that you can act within the 3-month opposition period.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Hungary

How much does a Hungarian trademark cost?

HIPO official fees are paid in one go and set by number of classes: HUF 81,000 for 1 class, HUF 108,000 for 2, HUF 148,500 for 3, HUF 202,500 for 4, plus HUF 54,000 for each class from the 5th; nothing more is charged on registration. Accelerated examination costs a further fee equal to the filing fee. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

How long does Hungarian trademark registration take?

According to HIPO's Annual Report 2024, national trademark registrations were completed in 21 weeks on average, about 5.25 months, and have stayed under 6 months since 2020. The statutory steps are: publication at least 15 days after the search report is sent, a 3-month opposition period after publication, and registration once that period ends with no opposition. For a faster result, request accelerated or special accelerated examination within 1 month of filing; in opposed cases, the settlement period alone can last 2 to 6 months.

Do foreign applicants need a representative in Hungary?

Yes, if your domicile or seat is outside the European Economic Area. Such applicants can conduct every trademark matter before HIPO, including filing, replying to objections, oppositions and renewal, only through a Hungarian patent attorney or attorney-at-law. The power of attorney takes effect with the applicant's signature and needs no notarisation or legalisation; if it is in another language, HIPO may ask for a Hungarian translation.

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

An EU trademark is valid in Hungary, so a separate registration is generally not needed. A Hungarian application usually makes sense for one of three reasons: a limited budget and a Hungary-only market; a risk that the mark is descriptive or conflicts in another EU language; or wanting a registration that does not share the fate of the EU trademark as a whole. A refused EU trademark application can also be converted into a Hungarian national application, keeping the original filing date; see EU trademark registration.

How should I write the list of goods, and can a mark in Chinese or another non-Latin script be registered?

Proceedings are in Hungarian, and the goods or services are best taken directly from the Hungarian terms in TMclass, which HIPO recommends; the list must be clear and specific, and a list filed in another language must be followed by the Hungarian version within 2 months. The mark itself can be in Chinese or another non-Latin script. As the representation cannot be changed after filing, check before filing that the meaning of the characters and their transliteration have no descriptive or negative sense in Hungarian.

How often must a Hungarian trademark be renewed?

Every 10 years; the registration expires 10 years after the filing date. File the renewal request and pay the renewal fee within the 6 months before expiry; renewal is charged at the same rates as filing (HUF 81,000 for 1 class, HUF 148,500 for 3). Within 6 months after expiry, you can still renew with a HUF 40,500 surcharge; after that the registration lapses.

Other IP rights

Patents: Hungarian patents for inventions are filed with HIPO and last 20 years from the filing date. Hungary has been a member of the European Patent Convention since 1 January 2003: a European patent takes effect in Hungary if, within 3 months of publication of the grant, a Hungarian translation of the claims is filed, while the description can be in English or Hungarian (London Agreement, applicable since 1 January 2011); PCT international applications can enter the Hungarian national phase within 31 months of the priority date. Utility models last up to 10 years.

Designs: registered designs are protected for 5 years from the filing date, renewable 4 times up to 25 years; Hungary can also be designated under the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, or you can apply for an EU design valid in all member states.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

Czechia　·　Poland　·　Serbia　·　Germany　·　European Union Intellectual Property Office

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