Trademark registration in the UAE
The UAE is often the first Gulf filing for a consumer brand because of re-export trade through Dubai. Owners outside the country must file through a registered agent with a notarised power of attorney.
Trademark registration in the UAE: fees and process
Trademark registration in the UAE is handled by the federal Ministry of Economy and Tourism. The Ministry’s service page sets three official fees: AED 750 for examination (AED 2,250 for expedited examination within one business day), AED 750 for publication in the official trademark bulletin, and AED 5,000 for registration. Approved marks are published, and anyone may object within 30 days from the bulletin date. After that period the registration fee must be paid within 30 days, and the certificate is issued within 30 days from the end of the objection period. Late payment of either fee attracts monthly penalties.
If the trademark owner is located outside the country, the application must be submitted through a registration agent, with a notarised and legally translated power of attorney. A refused application can be appealed to the Appeals Committee within 30 days of notification. The current framework is Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021, which allows one application to cover several classes; ask the agent how the per-class fees add up for your goods list.
Direct filing or Madrid
The UAE has been a Madrid member since 28 December 2021. WIPO lists its individual fee at CHF 1,420 per class, which can make a multi-class designation more expensive than it first appears. For one or two classes the difference may be small; for a range of products, compare both routes with the agent. Our Madrid guide explains the five-year dependency on the home mark.
The page offers general information only. A registered UAE trademark agent files for our clients, in their own company name, and we cannot promise any outcome. Product rules are on the Gulf markets page; Saudi filings are covered in the Saudi guide.
UAE registration at a glance
From the Ministry of Economy and Tourism service page, checked on 3 November 2026.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Trademark department |
| Who can file / agent | Owners located outside the UAE must file through a registration agent, with a notarised, legally translated power of attorney |
| Application | Online through the Ministry’s service; documents include a copy of the mark and, for companies, a trade licence |
| Classes | Nice classes; multi-class applications are allowed under Federal Decree-Law 36/2021 |
| Official fees | Examination AED 750 (expedited AED 2,250); publication AED 750; registration AED 5,000. Madrid individual fee CHF 1,420 per class |
| Examination | Regular or expedited one-day examination; appeal within 30 days of refusal |
| Publication and opposition | Official trademark bulletin; 30 days for objections from the bulletin date |
| Typical timing | No overall time is stated; the certificate follows within 30 days after the objection period |
| Validity and renewal | 10 years, renewable; renewal fees are set by Cabinet resolution, so check the current amount |
| Use requirement | The 2021 law allows cancellation after five consecutive years of non-use |
General information, not legal advice. Penalties apply for late publication and registration payments; the agent confirms the current schedule.
Filing in the UAE
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1
Search
Latin and Arabic forms, in the classes you need, through the agent.
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2
Power of attorney
Notarise and legally translate it; legalisation may add weeks, so start early.
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3
Application and examination
Choose regular or expedited examination.
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4
Publication fee
Pay within 30 days of acceptance to avoid penalties.
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5
Objection period
30 days from the bulletin date.
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6
Registration fee and certificate
Pay AED 5,000 within 30 days; the certificate follows.
What to prepare
- Copy of the mark in its final form
- Owning company’s legal details; trade licence or its foreign equivalent as the agent requests
- Notarised and legally translated power of attorney
- Goods list with classification
- Priority document, if claiming an earlier filing
- Decision on an Arabic version of the name
Common UAE mistakes
Power of attorney left late
Notarisation and translation are often the slowest part of the file.
Ignoring penalties
Late fees accrue monthly after each 30-day deadline.
Distributor files the brand
Agree in writing that the mark belongs to you before a partner registers it in its own name.
Thinking Dubai is enough
A UAE mark covers the UAE only; Saudi Arabia and other GCC states need their own protection.
Frequently asked questions
How much does trademark registration cost in the UAE (تسجيل علامة تجارية في الامارات)?
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism lists AED 750 for examination, AED 750 for publication and AED 5,000 for registration, as of November 2026. Agent and notarisation costs are separate.
Do I need a local agent to register a trademark in the UAE?
Yes, if the owner is located outside the UAE. The application must be filed by a registration agent with a notarised, legally translated power of attorney.
How long is the opposition period in the UAE?
Thirty days from the date of the trademark bulletin in which the mark is published.
Can I file one UAE application for several classes?
Yes, Federal Decree-Law 36/2021 allows multi-class applications. Fees depend on the classes covered, so get the total from the agent.
Is the UAE in the Madrid System?
Yes, since 28 December 2021. WIPO lists the UAE individual fee at CHF 1,420 per class.
Have a product idea? Check it before you buy stock.
Send a short brief. We tell you what we think, including when we think you should not do it.
Tell us about your brand
A few lines are enough: what you want to sell, where and to whom. We reply with an honest view of feasibility, the stages you need and the next step.
- No obligation: the first review of your idea is free
- If we think the idea will not pay back, we say so
- Your idea stays confidential; we can sign an NDA
What happens next
- 1We review your briefand may ask a few questions
- 2A short callabout goals, budget and limits
- 3Written proposalstages, scope, fees and timing
- 4First stage startswith a decision gate at its end
- usually 300–1 000 units per product in a first order
- usually 6–12 months from brief to first sales
- EU company, contract under Polish law