Trademark Registration in Germany: Fees & 2027 Guide 🇩🇪

Trademark registration in Germany is handled by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). Online filing currently costs €290 and includes up to three classes; each additional class from the fourth costs €100. An EU trade mark is a separate route that can cover all EU Member States. This guide explains the differences, filing steps and fee structure. Always verify current fees and rules with the official offices.

🇩🇪 What is a German trademark?

A German national trade mark protects the registered sign in Germany. The application identifies its owner, the word or logo to be protected and the goods and services covered. The DPMA examines applications under German law. Registration in Germany does not, by itself, protect a mark in other countries.

If your business expects to trade across several EU markets, compare national filings with an EU trade mark. See our guides to Croatia, France, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.

💶 Trademark registration fees in Germany vs the EU

The current DPMA online individual application fee is €290, including up to three classes. Paper filing is €300 for up to three classes. Each class from the fourth costs €100. The EUIPO online fee is €850 for one class, €50 for the second, and €150 for every class from the third. The coverage and class bundles differ, so these figures are not a like-for-like price comparison.

The last row is arithmetic only. It does not mean SME FUND 2027 is open, will reimburse these fees, or that any applicant qualifies. Confirm the published programme terms before relying on funding. See the official DPMA fee schedule and EUIPO fee information.

🧭 How to register a trademark in Germany

1. Choose the owner and mark

Confirm whether the applicant is a person or company and use consistent legal details. Decide whether protection is needed for a word mark, logo or both. The application protects the sign as filed, so prepare a clean and accurate representation.

2. Search for earlier rights

Search for identical and similar marks before filing. Use DPMAregister, EUIPO’s TMview and relevant international registers. Similarity may depend on sound, appearance, meaning and related goods or services. The office examination should not be treated as a complete clearance search. Our trademark risk assessment guide explains why pre-filing checks matter.

3. Define goods and services

List the actual products and services for which protection is needed. Consult the WIPO Nice Classification and accepted terms. Unnecessary classes can add cost and create avoidable conflicts. Related country guides: Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Poland and Cyprus.

4. Submit the application and pay

File electronically or use an accepted paper route. DPMA fees are generally due within three months after filing. Follow the official payment instructions and check that all required class fees are covered; an unpaid or incomplete fee can affect the application.

5. Examination and third-party challenges

The DPMA checks formal requirements and examines absolute grounds for refusal. Earlier right holders may also take action under the applicable opposition procedures. Monitor official notices and meet deadlines. The procedure and timing vary with the application and any objections.

6. Maintain the registration

Protection lasts ten years initially and can be renewed for further ten-year periods. Keep ownership and contact details current, use the mark for the listed goods or services, and plan renewal well in advance. Review the DPMA trade mark overview for official information.

🇩🇪 German national trademark or EU trademark?

A German application may fit a business focused on Germany. An EU trade mark may suit an applicant seeking a single registration covering the EU, but it is a unitary right: a relevant conflict in one part of the EU can affect the application. The best route depends on target markets, earlier rights, budget and expansion plans.

For broader planning, explore our guides to Estonia, Croatia, France and Finland.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How much does trademark registration in Germany cost?

Online filing for an individual mark currently costs €290, including up to three classes. Each class from the fourth costs €100.

Does a German trademark cover the EU?

No. A German national registration covers Germany. EU-wide protection requires a separate EU trade mark application through EUIPO.

Does €290 cover only one class?

No. The current DPMA online application fee includes up to three classes. Always confirm the fee schedule at filing.

Is SME FUND 2027 guaranteed to reimburse 75%?

No. The example in this guide is hypothetical arithmetic. Funding terms, eligibility and rates must be verified in the official call.

🇩🇪 Summary

Trademark registration in Germany currently costs €290 online for up to three classes. Search earlier rights, choose the goods and services carefully, compare German and EU territory, and track payment and examination deadlines. Consult the official DPMA and EUIPO pages for current details.