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Trademark registration: costs in Switzerland, the EU, the UK and the USA
Protecting your name and logo: official fees of IGE, EUIPO, UKIPO and USPTO, the cost of international protection via WIPO – for word and logo marks – and how many classes a startup needs.
Updated: September 2026
Short answer: official trademark filing fees
| Office | Application | Further classes | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland – IGE | CHF 450, online (eTrademark) CHF 350 – incl. 3 classes | CHF 100 per class from the 4th | 10 years, renewal CHF 550 |
| European Union – EUIPO | €850 online for 1 class | 2nd class €50, from the 3rd €150 each | 10 years, renewable |
| United Kingdom – UKIPO | £205 online for 1 class | £60 per additional class | 10 years, renewable |
| USA – USPTO | $350 per class | $350 per class, plus possible surcharges | 10 years, renewable |
Official fees according to IGE, EUIPO, UKIPO (from 1 April 2026) and USPTO, checked in September 2026. The offices' current information prevails.
International protection: Europe only, USA only or both?
A trademark only applies where it is registered. For several countries there are two routes: apply directly with each office, or via the WIPO Madrid System – one application in which you designate the countries you want. This requires a base mark in your home country.
Example: Swiss startup, 3 classes, official fees only
| Protection | Route | Word mark | Word and figurative mark (2 applications) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe only (Switzerland + EU) | IGE online + EUIPO direct | CHF 350 + €1,050 | CHF 700 + €2,100 |
| USA only (+ Swiss base mark) | IGE + WIPO designating the USA | approx. CHF 2,380 | approx. CHF 5,020 (logo in colour) |
| Europe and USA | IGE + WIPO designating the EU and the USA | approx. CHF 3,360 | approx. CHF 6,980 (logo in colour) |
Calculation: IGE online CHF 350 (3 classes). EUIPO direct €850 + €50 + €150 = €1,050. WIPO basic fee CHF 653 (black and white) or CHF 903 (colour); designation EU CHF 789 + 48 + 144, designation USA CHF 460 per class – according to WIPO (August 2026). Rounded, excluding attorney and translation costs.
- Europe only: filing directly with the IGE and the EUIPO is usually cheapest and simplest.
- USA: filing directly with the USPTO costs $350 per class, plus possible surcharges. Applicants domiciled outside the US need a US-licensed attorney for a direct filing – which is why many choose the WIPO route.
- Europe and USA: via WIPO it stays one application with one administration and one renewal. During the first five years, however, the international registration depends on the base mark.
- Word and logo: each mark is a separate application with separate fees. If budget is tight, protect the name as a word mark first.
- Logo in black and white: at WIPO this is CHF 250 cheaper than colour. Whether protection then covers all colour variants is best checked by a professional.
What are classes – and how many does a startup need?
Trademarks are protected for specific goods and services, divided into 45 classes (Nice Classification: 34 for goods, 11 for services). The mark is only protected in the classes you file.
A software startup often files, for example:
- Class 9 – software, apps
- Class 35 – advertising, business management, online marketplaces
- Class 42 – IT services, software as a service
If in doubt, have the class selection checked by a professional – a specification that is too narrow or too broad costs more later than the advice.
What comes on top of the official fees
| Item | Guide price or note |
|---|---|
| Trademark, domain & social handle check (agency) | €1,300 – €4,000 |
| Similarity search by the office or specialised providers | depending on scope |
| Trademark attorney | for classes, filing and oppositions – fee by effort |
The process in five steps
- Check the name: are there similar marks in your classes? Are domain and social handles free?
- Define classes: which goods and services do you offer now and in the coming years?
- File: online with the national office, the EUIPO or via WIPO – or through a law firm.
- Examination: the office checks formal requirements and absolute grounds (e.g. purely descriptive terms).
- Registration and opposition period: owners of earlier marks can file an opposition within a deadline.
This guide does not replace legal advice.
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