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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Serbia

To register a trademark in Serbia, file with the Intellectual Property Office of Serbia (IPO Serbia) or designate Serbia through the Madrid System. Serbia is not an EU member state, so EU trademarks do not cover Serbia. The examiner checks earlier marks ex officio, and publication opens a 3-month opposition period.

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Trademark registration in Serbia

Five questions first

Which route?File directly with IPO Serbia if you only need Serbia and want flexibility to adjust the goods; designate Serbia through Madrid if you already have a home application or registration and want several countries.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, an original power of attorney for a Serbian representative, the mark (with a transliteration of wording in scripts other than Latin or Cyrillic) and goods or services listed in Serbian.Details ↓How are official fees charged?A RSD 21,390 filing fee covering 3 classes, plus RSD 4,290 for each class from the 4th; after acceptance, a RSD 42,740 registration fee for the first 10 years, covering 3 classes. Service fees are quoted after you submit the order.Details ↓How long does it take?According to IPO Serbia's website, a mark is usually registered in about 6 months if there are no objections or other obstacles; this includes the 3-month opposition period after publication (statutory).Details ↓What are the main risks?The examiner checks earlier marks ex officio; a mark identical to an earlier one for identical goods is refused even with the earlier owner's consent. The 3-month opposition period cannot be extended.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Serbia: key facts

OfficeIntellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia (Zavod za intelektualnu svojinu, IPO Serbia). Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawLaw on Trademarks (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 6/2020, published on 24 January 2020, in force from the eighth day after publication), replacing the 2009 law
EU trademarksSerbia has been an EU candidate country since 2012 but is not a member state, so EU trademarks do not cover Serbia
Madrid SystemThe Madrid Protocol has been in force for Serbia since 17 February 1998, so Serbia can be designated through Madrid
Foreign applicantsApplicants with no domicile or place of business in Serbia must be represented by a representative entered in IPO Serbia's register of representatives or by a Serbian attorney-at-law; a foreign company's representative office in Serbia cannot act
Multi-class applicationsOne application covers one mark and can designate one or more classes; it can be filed on paper, by post or electronically
Scope of examinationAbsolute grounds such as distinctiveness are examined ex officio, and the examiner also compares earlier marks, earlier applications and well-known marks
Response to objections (statutory)30 days, extendable on a reasoned request and payment of a fee
Opposition (statutory)3 months from publication, not extendable; the applicant has 60 days to reply, also not extendable
Usual time (official information)IPO Serbia's website states that, with no objections or other obstacles, registration usually takes about 6 months from filing; this is not a statistical average
Official feesFiling fee RSD 21,390 covering 3 classes, plus RSD 4,290 for each class from the 4th and RSD 4,290 for figurative marks or word marks with a design element; registration fee RSD 42,740 covering 3 classes (current fee schedule, applicable since 1 July 2026)
Term and renewal10 years from the filing date; renew in the 6 months before expiry, or in the 6 months after with fees increased by 50%
Non-use (statutory)A mark not genuinely used in Serbia for 5 consecutive years after registration without a valid reason can be revoked on request; use on goods intended only for export also counts

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

Which route

Direct filing or a Madrid designation

Both routes lead to protection in Serbia. They differ in prerequisites, when you must appoint a Serbian representative, fee structure and dependency risk. IPO Serbia treats an international registration designating Serbia as an application and examines it under Serbian law.

ItemDirect filing with IPO SerbiaMadrid designation of Serbia
PrerequisiteNoneA basic application or registration at your office of origin
Official feesFiling fee RSD 21,390 covering 3 classes, plus RSD 4,290 for each class from the 4th; on acceptance, a RSD 42,740 registration fee for the first 10 years, covering 3 classesBasic fee plus supplementary and complementary fees paid to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as Serbia has not declared an individual fee; see the WIPO fee calculator
Serbian representativeRequired from filing for applicants based abroadNot needed to file; required when a provisional refusal or an opposition has to be answered before IPO Serbia
Wording of goods and servicesSpecific terms in Serbian; after filing the list can only be restrictedCannot go beyond the basic application or registration
Opposition period starts3 months from publication in IPO Serbia's gazette3 months from the first day of the month after the international registration is published in the WIPO Gazette of International Marks
Dependency riskNoneIf the basic application or registration is refused or cancelled within 5 years, the Serbian designation falls with it
Best forYou only need Serbia; you have no home filing to rely on; you need flexibility to adjust the goodsYou already have a home filing and want protection in several countries

Serbia is not an EU member state: an EU trademark does not cover Serbia. Protection there needs a separate application or a Madrid designation of Serbia.

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 direct application to IPO Serbia, prepare the following information and documents.

Applicant

  • Name and address (for a company, its registered name, given in English), stating the country
  • Joint applicants appoint one of them as common representative

Power of attorney

  • A power of attorney for a Serbian representative (a representative on IPO Serbia's register or a Serbian attorney-at-law); the original must be filed, as a copy does not start the proceedings
  • Where the same representative handles several applications, file the original in one and copies in the others, citing the case number holding the original; a general power of attorney can also be recorded with IPO Serbia
  • IPO Serbia does not require signatures on the application to be notarised or legalised; provide other signed documents as your representative instructs

The mark

  • Word marks: the wording
  • Figurative or combined marks: a clear representation; state the colours if colour protection is claimed
  • Wording in Chinese or any other script than Cyrillic or Latin needs a transliteration; add a description of the mark where needed

Goods and services

  • Listed under the Nice Classification using the common names of goods or services in Serbian, grouped in class-number order
  • Class headings may be used but cover only the goods they clearly include in their literal meaning; vague wording such as "other goods in this class" is not accepted
  • The list cannot be extended after filing, only restricted; TMclass or WIPO's Madrid Goods and Services Manager (available in Serbian) can help

Priority and consent (if any)

  • Earlier application filed abroad: priority can be claimed within 6 months; within 3 months, file a copy of the earlier application certified by the office where it was filed, with a translation certified by a Serbian court interpreter
  • If the owner of an earlier mark consents to your registration, file the original letter of consent; a consent in another language needs a translation by a court interpreter

For applicants based abroad, the representative files on their behalf; filing electronically cuts the filing fee by 25%.

How long

Process and timeline

Example: a direct application with no opposition.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    Search for identical and similar marks yourself, or order a paid official search from IPO Serbia (applicants based abroad through a representative)

  2. Step 2

    Filing

    On paper, by post or electronically; missing required elements can be supplied within 30 days (statutory)

  3. Step 3

    Formal and substantive examination

    Absolute grounds and earlier marks are examined; any objection must be answered within 30 days (statutory, extendable for a fee)

  4. Step 4

    Publication

    Published in IPO Serbia's Intellectual Property Gazette (two issues a month), with a 3-month opposition period (statutory, not extendable)

  5. Step 5

    Opposition (if any)

    The applicant replies within 60 days (statutory, not extendable), or the application is refused to the extent opposed; the parties can jointly request a suspension of up to 24 months to settle

  6. Step 6

    Registration fee and registration

    After notification, pay the registration fee for the first 10 years, the certificate fee and the publication costs within the time set; the mark is then registered and a certificate issued

According to IPO Serbia's website, a mark is usually registered in about 6 months if there are no objections or other obstacles; formal deficiencies, grounds for refusal or oppositions make it longer. This is the office's general indication, not a statistical average. IPO Serbia decisions cannot be reviewed or appealed internally; they can only be challenged by an administrative action before the Administrative Court within 30 days of receipt.

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 paid under the fee schedule of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees, in two stages: the filing fee at filing and, after acceptance, the registration fee for the first 10 years. Both include the first 3 classes, with each class from the 4th charged separately, and figurative marks or word marks with a design element pay an extra amount each time; a certificate fee is also due on registration. The table below shows the current amounts in Serbian dinars, applicable since 1 July 2026; the fee schedule is adjusted for inflation and republished once a year.

ItemChargedAmountApprox. USD
Paid on filing
Application fee (per mark, first 3 classes included; 25% reduction for e-filing)Per application21,390 RSD≈ USD 206
Application: each class from the fourth (payable when more than 3 classes)Each class from the fourth4,290 RSD≈ USD 41
Paid on registration
Registration fee (first 10 years, first 3 classes included; payable on the Office's invitation after acceptance)Per application42,740 RSD≈ USD 411
Registration: each class from the fourth (payable when more than 3 classes)Each class from the fourth6,410 RSD≈ USD 62
Registration certificate fee (payable at registration)Per application4,290 RSD≈ USD 41
Payable when applicable
Application: surcharge for a figurative mark or a word mark with a graphic designPer application4,290 RSD≈ USD 41
Registration: surcharge for a figurative mark or a word mark with a graphic designPer application6,410 RSD≈ USD 62
Response to an examination report (each)Per application1,040 RSD≈ USD 10
First request for extension of a time limit (up to 30 days)Per application2,160 RSD≈ USD 21
Further request for extension of a time limit (per month or part)Per application3,200 RSD≈ USD 31
Keeping the registration
Renewal (every 10 years, first 3 classes included; 50% surcharge within 6 months after expiry)Per application42,740 RSD≈ USD 411
Renewal: each class from the fourthEach class from the fourth6,410 RSD≈ USD 62
Renewal: surcharge for a figurative mark or a word mark with a graphic designPer application6,410 RSD≈ USD 62
Other
Recording of a transfer, licence, pledge etc. (one mark; 4,290 per mark when several are recorded together)Per application6,410 RSD≈ USD 62
Recording of a change of name, address etc. (one mark; 2,160 per mark when several are recorded together)Per application3,200 RSD≈ USD 31
Request for out-of-turn examination (statutory cases only, e.g. litigation, customs proceedings or medicines)Per application10,660 RSD≈ USD 102

Source: Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia (IPO Serbia), Таксе ; Službeni glasnik RS 54/2026 · current fees in force since 2026-07-01 · 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.

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Example: a figurative mark in 3 classes filed on paper pays a filing fee of 21,390 + 4,290 = RSD 25,680; after acceptance, a registration fee of 42,740 + 6,410 = RSD 49,150 and a certificate fee of RSD 4,290: RSD 79,120 in official fees in total (plus publication costs, as stated in the payment notice). Filed electronically, the filing fee is 25% lower, at RSD 19,260.

Amounts converted into other currencies depend on the dinar 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 Serbia and common refusals

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

The examiner checks earlier marks ex officio

Serbian substantive examination goes beyond distinctiveness: if a mark is identical or similar to an earlier mark or application for identical or similar goods and confusion is likely, the examiner raises an objection and can refuse it without waiting for an opposition; well-known marks are also examined ex officio. A clearance search before filing matters more than it does for an EU trademark.

Identical mark, identical goods: consent does not help

A rule particular to Serbia: the earlier right holder's written consent can overcome obstacles such as similarity or a well-known mark, but not the case of a mark identical to an earlier one for identical goods. The original consent must be filed, with a court interpreter's translation if it is in another language; IPO Serbia still assesses the likelihood of confusion and does not accept the mark automatically.

List the goods specifically, in Serbian

The list must use common names in Serbian, not trade names or catch-all wording such as "etc.". Class headings may be used but cover only the goods they literally include; the list cannot be extended after filing, only restricted. Goods in the same class are not automatically similar, nor are goods in different classes automatically dissimilar.

3 months to oppose, 60 days to reply, neither extendable

Within 3 months of publication, owners of earlier marks, companies registered earlier under the same name, and owners whose mark was filed without authorisation by their agent or representative can oppose. The applicant must reply within 60 days or the application is refused to the extent opposed; if the opponent's mark has been registered for 5 years, the applicant can ask for proof of use in Serbia.

Non-use revocation and transliteration of non-Latin marks

If a mark is not used in Serbia for 5 consecutive years after registration without a valid reason, any interested party can ask IPO Serbia to revoke it, and the mark ends from the date of the request; use on goods intended only for export counts. Marks containing Chinese or another non-Latin, non-Cyrillic script need a transliteration, and foreign words are judged by how the relevant Serbian public understands them when assessing descriptiveness.

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After registration

Keeping the registration

A Serbian registration needs no periodic declarations of use, but non-use can lead to revocation; if the 6-month renewal grace period is missed, the registration ends for good and the mark must be filed again.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
From 5 years after registrationKeep using the mark genuinely in Serbia and keep evidence; others can ask IPO Serbia to revoke itNone
Within 6 months before expiry, then every 10 yearsRenew, for all or only some of the goods or services; a representative must file the original power of attorneyRSD 42,740 (including 3 classes), plus RSD 6,410 for each class from the 4th; plus RSD 6,410 for figurative marks or word marks with a design element
Within 6 months after expiryRenew with a surchargeThe renewal fees above plus 50%
Any timeRecord an assignment or licence; change the name or addressAssignment or licence RSD 6,410 per mark (RSD 4,290 each when several are filed together); change RSD 3,200

Once registered, you can file a paper or electronic (e-IPR) application with Serbian customs to detain suspected infringing goods on import, export and other operations; an extension can be requested 30 days before the approved period expires. E-commerce brand registries usually also require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Serbia

How much does a Serbian trademark cost?

At rates applicable since 1 July 2026: a RSD 21,390 filing fee covering 3 classes, plus RSD 4,290 for each class from the 4th; after acceptance, a RSD 42,740 registration fee for the first 10 years covering 3 classes, plus RSD 6,410 for each class from the 4th, and a RSD 4,290 certificate fee. Figurative marks or word marks with a design element pay an extra amount at filing and at registration (RSD 4,290 and RSD 6,410). Filing electronically cuts the filing fee by 25%. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

How long does Serbian trademark registration take?

According to IPO Serbia's website, a mark is usually registered in about 6 months if there are no objections or other obstacles. The statutory milestones are: 30 days to answer an objection, a 3-month opposition period after publication and 60 days to reply to an opposition. Objections or oppositions make the process considerably longer.

I have an EU trademark. Do I still need to register in Serbia?

Yes. Serbia is an EU candidate country, not a member state, so an EU trademark does not cover Serbia. You can file directly with IPO Serbia or designate Serbia in a Madrid international registration.

Can a foreign company file directly with IPO Serbia?

Not by itself. Foreign companies and individuals with no domicile or place of business in Serbia must be represented before IPO Serbia by a representative on its register or by a Serbian attorney-at-law; a foreign company's representative office in Serbia cannot act as representative. If you designate Serbia through Madrid, you need no representative to file, but you must appoint one to answer a provisional refusal or an opposition.

How long is the opposition period in Serbia?

3 months from publication, not extendable; only earlier right holders can oppose. The 2026 opposition fee is RSD 24,970. The applicant has 60 days to reply, also not extendable, and if the opponent's mark has been registered for 5 years, can ask for proof of use in Serbia. For Madrid designations, the period runs from the first day of the month after publication in the WIPO Gazette.

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

Yes, but if the mark contains a script other than Cyrillic or Latin, the application must include a transliteration, and a description can be added where needed. The list of goods and services must be in Serbian. Protection covers only the form filed: if you also use a transliterated or translated version of the mark locally, file it separately.

Other IP rights

Patents: Serbian patents last 20 years and petty patents 10 years, both handled by IPO Serbia. PCT applications can enter the Serbian national phase (since 1 February 1997), and Serbia has been party to the European Patent Convention since 1 October 2010, so a granted European patent can be validated in Serbia.

Industrial designs: protection runs from the filing date and is renewable every 5 years, up to 25 years; Serbia can also be designated through the Hague Agreement.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

Greece · Poland · Norway · Russia · Switzerland · Ukraine

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