Are you planning to register a trademark in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE? Protecting your brand name, logo, or slogan is crucial in today’s competitive market. The UAE offers a fast, fully digital trademark registration process governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 36/2021 and updated by Cabinet Resolution No. 102/2025 (effective November 2025).
In this 2026 updated guide, you’ll find:
- Step-by-step process to register a trademark in Dubai/UAE
- Latest official fees (including SME discounts)
- How to search for existing trademarks
- International protection via the Madrid System
- Requirements, timeline, and common mistakes to avoid
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a unique sign, symbol, logo, or design that distinguishes your products or services from competitors. Registering your trademark in Dubai gives you exclusive rights, preventing others from using similar marks that could confuse consumers.
Key Benefits of Trademark Registration in Dubai/UAE
- Exclusive legal rights to use the mark nationwide
- Stronger brand value and investor appeal
- Protection against counterfeiting and imitation
- Easier market expansion locally and internationally
- Ability to license or sell the trademark
Latest statistic (2025): The UAE Ministry of Economy reported 402,311 national and international trademarks registered by September 2025, with a 129% increase in registrations during the first half of 2025.
Who Can Register a Trademark in the UAE?
You can file a trademark application if you are:
- An individual or company domiciled in the UAE, or
- A foreign applicant through a registered UAE trademark agent
Important: Free zone companies are treated as UAE residents for trademark purposes.
Trademark Classes in the UAE – Nice Classification
The UAE follows the Nice Classification (47 classes since 2022):
- Classes 1–34: Goods
- Classes 35–45: Services
Tip: You must select the correct class(es) before filing. A fashion brand typically registers in Class 25 (clothing, footwear, headgear), while a restaurant would use Class 43 (food & beverage services).
What is Nice Classification
The Nice Agreement creates an organized classification system for goods and services to facilitate the registration of trademarks and service marks (known as the Nice Classification).
This system requires that the trademark offices of Contracting States include in all official documents and publications related to each trademark registration the specific class numbers of the Nice Classification relevant to the goods or services for which the mark is registered.
Trademarks That Can Be Registered
The following can be registered as a trademark in Dubai, UAE:
Trademarks That Cannot Be Registered in the UAE
Why Register a Trademark in Dubai?
- Legal Protection: Avoid potential disputes and unauthorized use of your brand.
- Brand Value: Enhance the credibility and value of your business.
- Market Expansion: A registered trademark is essential when expanding locally or internationally.
Terms and Conditions for Trademark Registration in UAE
1. Who Can Register?
The trademark registration application must be submitted by:
- The owner of the trademark if they have a domicile in the UAE or
- By a registered trademark agent.
- Applications from entities in free zones are treated as those submitted by UAE residents.
2. Application Scope
You can submit an application for one or several classes based on the international classification of goods and services.
3. How to Apply
Applications must be submitted using the prescribed form through the electronic services of the competent department. Registration fees vary if the application covers multiple classes (now on a per-class basis in many cases, with incentives for SMEs).
Documents Required for Trademark Registration in UAE
When filing for trademark registration, ensure you attach the following:
- Evidentiary Documents: Proof of trademark ownership.
- Power of Attorney: A copy, duly authenticated and translated into Arabic, if the application is submitted by a registered agent.
- Certified Arabic Translation: Required for trademarks including foreign terms.
- Musical Notes and MP3 Files: For trademarks involving audio.
- Chemical Composition Description: If the trademark pertains to an odor.
Step-by-Step Process to Register a Trademark in Dubai / UAE
Step 1: Trademark Search in UAE
Conduct a thorough trademark search to ensure your trademark is unique.
Step 2: Preparation of the Application
Prepare and submit your application electronically via the UAE Ministry of Economy’s portal. Include the following details:
- A clear copy of the trademark (JPEG format).
- Applicant’s name, address, nationality, and profession. If an entity, include its headquarters’ details.
- Registered agent’s name and address, if applicable.
- Accurate description of the trademark.
- List of goods or services classified per the International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Classification).
- A copy of the commercial license if applying as a company or institution.
- Power of attorney, translated and authenticated in Arabic (if using an agent).
- Any additional data required by the Ministry.
If the application is submitted in a personal name and the trademark owner is from within the country, a commercial license is not required.
Step 3: Submission and Initial Review
- Select the option of “Register Trademark” under the Trademark services from the list of electronic services (e-services).
- Log in using your digital ID (UAE PASS).
- Fill in the application data and attach the required documents.
- Pay the service fee (base application fee AED 750; multi-class and per-class adjustments apply, with 50% reduction for National SME Programme members and full exemption for People of Determination).
- The Ministry will review the application within 90 days and notify the applicant of its decision (option for expedited/express examination available for additional fee, e.g., around AED 2,250 for faster review).
Step 4: Examination of the Application
The Ministry’s competent department will review your application to ensure it:
- Does not infringe upon existing trademarks.
- Complies with Federal Decree-Law No. 36/2021 and its executive regulations.
Outcomes:
- Accepted Applications: Applicants must pay publication fees for public announcement.
- Conditionally Accepted Applications: Amendments may be required.
- Rejected Applications: Applicants can file a grievance within 30 days.
Step 5: Publication of the Trademark
Approved applications are published in the Ministry’s online bulletin, issued twice a month. This announcement includes:
- Application number and date.
- Trademark copy and description.
- Applicant’s name, address, and nationality.
- Goods or services classification.
The publication fee is AED 750, and the objection period lasts 30 days from the publication date.
Step 6: Handling Objections
- Any individual may file an objection to the trademark registration within 30 days of publication.
- The applicant must respond to objections within 30 days, providing the required documents and attending hearings if necessary.
- If no objection is received or all objections are resolved, the applicant proceeds to the next step.
Step 7: Final Approval and Registration
After the objection period:
- Pay the final registration fee (AED 5,000; adjusted under 2025 resolution with SME discounts and exemptions).
- Receive the trademark registration certificate within 30 days.
For trademarks indicating inspection or examination procedures, the final registration fee is AED 7500.
Note: Delays in paying publication or registration fees incur fines. For publication fees, fines are 100 AED per month, up to a maximum of 1000 AED per year. For registration fees, fines are 1000 AED per month, up to a maximum of 10,000 AED per year.
Latest Trademark Registration Fees in UAE (2026)
The total cost for trademark registration in the UAE has been updated under Cabinet Resolution No. 102/2025 (effective November 2025), with:
- incentives for SMEs (50% reduction for National SME Programme members) and
- full exemptions for People of Determination. The base structure remains similar, but fees are now often per-class, and new services like express examination have been added.
Cabinet Resolution No. 102/2025 introduced significant changes:
| Service | Standard Fee (AED) | SME Discount (50%) | People of Determination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trademark application (per class) | 750 | 375 | Free |
| Publication in Official Gazette | 750 | 375 | Free |
| Final registration (standard mark) | 5,000 | 2,500 | Free |
| Total base cost (1 class) | 6,500 | 3,250 | 0 |
| One-day / expedited examination | 2,250 | Varies | Varies |
| Renewal (final fee in 10th year) | 5,750 | Varies | Varies |
Note: Multi-class applications now often charge per class. Always check the official Ministry of Economy website for the latest fees.
Trademark Renewal in UAE
Trademark protection lasts 10 years, and renewal can be filed in the final (10th) year or within a 6-month grace period after expiry (with higher fees for late renewal). No additional examination or opposition is allowed during renewal.
- Standard trademark (most common cases):
- Renewal during the final year of protection: AED 5,750 (final renewal fee)
- Renewal within 6 months after expiry (grace period): AED 6,500 (final renewal fee)
Required Documents for Trademark Registration in Dubai
- A photo of the trademark to be registered in JPEG format.
- A copy of the commercial license (if applying as a company or institution).
- Power of attorney, translated and authenticated in Arabic, if using a registration agent.
- If the trademark owner is from outside the UAE, the application must be submitted through a registration agent with a notarized power of attorney.
How to Register Trademark Worldwide
Are you looking to protect your brand internationally from the UAE? Here’s a streamlined process to help you register a trademark worldwide using the Madrid System run by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Steps and Procedures
Login to MOE Website: Visit the Ministry of Economy (MOE) website.
Sign in with UAE PASS: Use your UAE PASS for authentication.
Choose the Service: Select the external e-filing website from the list of services (or the dedicated International Trademark Registration (Madrid Protocol) service).
Fill in the Application Data: Complete the required application details.
Service Fees
- Payment: Fees are paid through the WIPO website.
- Calculation: Fees depend on the number of countries in which the trademark is to be protected.
Fees Include:
- Basic Fee: 653 Swiss francs (approx. AED 2,615.07)* ; or 903 Swiss francs (approx. AED 3,616.61)* for a mark in color. You get a 90% discount if you file in a least-developed country.
- Additional Fees: Depend on where you want to protect your mark and how many classes of goods and services you cover.
- Expansion, Modification, or Renewal Fees: Additional fees apply if you expand, modify, or renew your registration.
- Payment Currency: All payments are in Swiss francs (CHF).
*Exchange rates can fluctuate, so it’s always a good idea to check for the most current rate if you’re planning a transaction.
Conditions and Requirements
- Local Application: Local companies, individuals, and institutions must have a local trademark registration or application.
Required Documents
Trademark Application/Registration: Have an application or registration for the trademark.
Average Duration for Service Delivery
- Processing Time: 12 to 18 months from the date of application receipt by the designated countries, with 2 months to send to WIPO.
Managing Your Trademark
- Manage Your Trademark: Use WIPO’s eMadrid system for renewals and changes.
Why Use the Madrid System?
The Madrid System allows you to:
- File a single international application.
- Obtain protection in up to 131 countries.
- Modify, renew, or expand your trademark through a single central system.
Trademark Search:
- Global Brand Database: Use this trademark search database to check for existing trademarks worldwide, making sure your trademark is unique and avoiding legal issues.
FAQs About Trademark Registration in Dubai
The total cost of registering a trademark in Dubai (or anywhere in the UAE) for a standard mark in one class is AED 6,500 (as of 2026, based on the current official structure under Cabinet Resolution No. 102/2025).
This is the base total for most applicants and breaks down as follows (confirmed from the Ministry of Economy & Tourism official services pages):
- Application fee: AED 750 (per class)
- Publication fee (in the Official Gazette after acceptance): AED 750
- Final registration fee (paid after the 30-day opposition period): AED 5,000 (for standard trademarks)
Total base cost (1 class): AED 6,500
- Standard: 4–6 months (90-day examination + 30-day opposition + 30-day issuance).
- With expedited (one-day) examination: 2–4 months (extra AED 2,250 fee).
- Oppositions/amendments: 6–12+ months.
The duration can vary depending on the complexity of the trademark application and whether any objections are raised.
Yes, but they must be translated into Arabic, and their pronunciation must be clarified in the application.
The competent department will notify you, and you must respond within 30 days. The resolution involves hearings and submission of supporting evidence.
Yes, you can make changes to your registered trademark in the UAE by submitting a request to the Ministry of Economy along with the necessary documentation and fees.
Yes, the UAE allows registration across multiple classes in a single application, though fees will be calculated per class.
Conclusion
Registering a trademark in Dubai is one of the smartest strategic decisions any business can make to protect its brand identity in the UAE’s competitive market. By following this complete 2026 step-by-step guide — including the latest trademark registration fees under Cabinet Resolution No. 102/2025, SME discounts, expedited one-day examination options, and international protection via the Madrid System — you can complete the trademark registration process in Dubai confidently and efficiently.
Whether you’re a Dubai startup, a free zone company, or an established enterprise expanding in the UAE, securing your trademark now safeguards your logo, name, slogan, and brand value for the next 10 years (and beyond with easy renewal at AED 5,750 during the final year).
Ready to register your trademark in Dubai today? Visit the official Ministry of Economy & Tourism portal right now to start your trademark registration application online via https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/w/register-trademark
Don’t wait for copycats — protect your brand before someone else does. Secure your trademark registration in Dubai and take control of your business future in 2026.
Disclaimer: The fees mentioned in this article are correct as of the time of writing. However, fees and procedures may be subject to change. It is advisable to consult the UAE Ministry of Economy or a legal professional for the most current information. This article is based on my research and study of trademark law in the UAE. This article is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
