Trademark Registration in Germany

Companies wishing to register trademarks in Germany will be able to protect their brand, name, logo, or any other distinguishing marks through the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA). Our German attorneys are here to help you with trademark searching, trademark filing, and all related matters.

Quick Facts
Types of trademarks in Germany	Words, letters, numbers, images, colours, holograms, sounds, multimedia signs
Multiple class application	Yes
Pre-application trademark availability verification	Yes
Language of the trademark application	German
Minimum filing requirements for trademark registration in Germany	The name and address of the applicant, the type of trademark and its representation, the goods and services the mark will be used for
Mandatory trademark representation	Yes. One trademark representation per application
Trademark registration fee in Germany	Starting at 290 euros for electronic filing (300 euros on paper), including the class fee for up to three classes Other fees apply for accelerated examination and renewal
Time to complete the trademark registration (approx.)	6 months
Trademark application through local representative	Yes, possible with our help
Power of attorney requirements for trademark registration in Germany	A representative (lawyer or patent attorney) is required only for applicants without a domicile, seat or establishment in Germany
Opposition period	3 months
Trademark validity	10 years, with the possibility to renew for other 10-year periods
Trademark renewal conditions	The overall renewal becomes valid once the renewal fees are paid. A surcharge applies for late renewal
Conditions to revoke the trademark	Through surrender or if the trademark is found to be invalid
Assistance for trademark registration in Germany	Complete assistance from our intellectual property experts in Germany
Government body regulating trademark protection	German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA)
Renewal period	Advised to be renewed within six months before the trademark expires.
Grace period after trademark expires	6 months
Documents required for filing a trademark application	– applicant's ID documents, – proof of fee payment, – application form
Nice Classification system used (YES/NO)	YES
Checking available trademarks	Our lawyers will help you research and select an available trademark.
Publication of trademarks	in the Markenblatt (Trade Mark Journal)
Grounds for trademark refusal	If the trademark: – is not distinctive, – contains descriptive terms, – deceives the public, – includes state emblems, – is considered offensive.
Priority processing (YES/NO)	YES, if requested an accelerated examination
Who can own a trademark	– natural persons, – legal persons, – partnerships with legal capacity
Language for trademark applications	German
Trademark infringement	If someone has used your trademark without permission, please contact our attorneys for assistance.
EU trademark protection	With the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
International trademark protection	Possible, through the Madrid Protocol; Our law firm assists with international trademark protection.
Why register a trademark in Germany	– legal protection, – brand recognition, – business asset, – brand exclusivity, etc.

What are the trademark registration services your German attorneys can provide?

The trademark registration services provided by our lawyers to clients who want to protect their trademarks in Germany are:

trademark search;
assessing the registrability of the trademark;
selecting Nice classes;
drafting the trademark application;
filing before DPMA;
liaising with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office;
opposing the trademarks;
managing the trademark portfolio;
renewal and maintenance of trademarks;
EU and international trademarks protection.

What kind of trademarks can be registered in Germany?

The trademark protection in Germany can be extended to several kinds of marks on condition that they fulfill certain requirements, which may include the following:

word marks;
figurative marks/logos;
composite word and figurative marks;
three-dimensional marks;
color marks;
sound marks.

What are the requirements for trademark registration in Germany in 2026?

The registration of trademarks is made by submitting an application with the Patent Office in Germany. Additionally to the prescribed application form that must be filled out, the following information are also requested:

the identity of the applicant,
a representation of the German trademark to be registered,
a list with the goods or services the trademark will represent,
a registration fee which must be paid upon registration.

What is a distinctive trademark in Germany?

One of the most important things that must be found in a trademark is originality. When you are interested in trademark registration in Germany trademark needs to be distinct from competitive products, and to be designed in order to produce a powerful impact, and hard to forget impression on your target public. It is recommendable to take into consideration as well the local preferences and business culture. If you have already elaborated your distinctive trademark, our German lawyers are ready to assist you with its registration and its release on the market as soon as possible.

How to file for trademark opposition in Germany in 2026?

One of the steps of the trademark registration procedure in Germany is to publish the trademark in the Official Gazette for three months. During these three months anyone with previous rights or with valid reasons to contest the registration of the trademark may file an opposition. The period for trademark opposition in Germany cannot exceed the three months period.

We invite you to watch our video about trademark protection in Germany:

What are the reasons to cancel a trademark in Germany?

Our team lists below the main reasons why a trademark in Germany can be subject to cancellation:

Surrender: a trademark can be cancelled in Germany because the proprietor has surrendered it; this can happen at any time, even if the trademark registration in Germany has not been opposed;
Invalidity due to improper registration: the registration is invalid and cancelled when there are absolute grounds for refusal, when the mark was registered contrary to the Trade Mark Act;
Invalidity due to previous rights: the cancellation can take place when there were earlier rights on the same mark; supporting documentation is mandatory when such as claim is made;
Invalidity due to conflicting earlier rights: the registration can be revoked and cancelled where there were previous rights on it or upon request when it was not used within 5 years after registration.

What are the fees for trademark registration in Germany?

Below, our lawyers list a number of payable fees:

300 euros for the basic application fee which includes up to three classes of goods or services;
290 euros is the reduced cost for the basic application, when electronic filing is used;
100 euros is the fee for any additional classes of goods and/or services, in addition to the three included in the basic fee (if the applicant wishes to apply fora fourth, fifth of any other number of classes)
200 euros the fee for accelerated trademark examination; when this fee is paid, the application will be granted priority;
750 euros for the renewal fee for up to three classes.

What is the period to register a trademark in Germany in 2026?

This is dependent on how the application is done and the nature of the objection or deficiency, if any, that may come up. One can make a request for accelerated examination at a fee of EUR 200. According to the DPMA, an eligible application with full cooperation from the applicant will get a decision on acceleration within six months.

For complete details about trademark registration in Germany and intellectual property laws please contact our German law firm.