Key Facts

What is trademark registration and why does it matter?

Trademark registration grants its owner the exclusive right to use a name, logo, slogan or other sign for specific goods or services – and the legal standing to prevent others from using an identical or confusingly similar mark in the same field. Without a registered trademark, building a brand in Europe carries real legal risk: a competitor who registers first can force you to rebrand, regardless of how long you have been trading under that name.

How to register a trademark in the EU and Baltic States: 6 steps

Step 1. Define what you want to protect (1–3 days)

Start by deciding what you want to register: a word mark, a figurative (device) mark, or both. Each can be filed as a separate application, and each provides a different scope of protection. A word mark protects the word itself regardless of font or colour; a figurative mark protects the specific visual form. Where possible, METIDA recommends registering both as separate applications to achieve the broadest coverage.

Step 2. Conduct a trademark search (1–5 working days)

Before filing, it is essential to check whether identical or confusingly similar earlier marks already exist in the relevant territory and class. METIDA searches the EUIPO eSearch database, national registers of Latvia and Estonia, and the WIPO Global Brand Database for international marks.

METIDA offers two levels of search:

• Quick search (€50 excl. VAT) – identifies clear conflicts.
• Full word trademark search (€300–€500 excl. VAT depending on jurisdiction) – comprehensive similarity assessment across the relevant register.

A search is one of the most important steps in the process: it allows you to assess risk before committing to filing fees and reduces the likelihood of receiving an opposition or refusal at a later stage. See also: Trademark search: when and why you need it.

Step 3. Select the Nice Classification classes (1–2 days)

Every trademark application must specify the goods and services to be covered, organised according to the Nice Classification – the international standard dividing all goods and services into 45 classes. Official fees are calculated per class.

Class selection is a strategic decision. Too narrow a list limits your protection; too broad a list may attract examination objections or opposition from mark owners in unrelated fields. METIDA specialists select classes based on your current and planned business activities, with a view to the next 5–10 years of growth.

Important: once an application has been filed, the list of goods and services can only be narrowed – never widened. Getting the class selection right at the outset is critical.

Step 4. File the application (1 working day)

Applications are filed electronically: to EUIPO for EU-wide protection, to the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia for Latvia, or to the Estonian Patent Office for Estonia. METIDA files on your behalf as your authorised representative, handling all communication with the relevant office.

Official fees at filing (valid from 1 January 2026):

• EUIPO (EU trademark): €850 for 1 class; +€50 for a 2nd class; +€150 for each class from the 3rd onwards.
• Latvia: €90 for 1 class; +€30 for each additional class.
• Estonia: €145 for 1 class; +€45 for each additional class.

Step 5. Examination and temporary protection (1–4 months)

After filing, the trademark office examines whether the mark meets the absolute grounds for registration – whether it is capable of functioning as a trademark, is not purely descriptive, and does not fall under other absolute bars to registration.

Important: examination at this stage does not cover conflicts with earlier third-party marks. Even if the office raises no absolute grounds objection, the owner of an earlier similar mark may still file an opposition during the opposition period.

If the examiner raises objections, the office notifies the applicant and grants a period of 1–3 months to respond. METIDA prepares responses to official actions at €200 per hour (firm fee; EUIPO) or €200 per hour (Latvia and Estonia). Once the application passes examination and is published in the official bulletin, it acquires temporary legal protection.

Step 6. Opposition period and registration (3 months + 1–2 weeks)

After publication, a 3-month opposition period begins during which any interested party may oppose registration on the grounds that the new mark conflicts with their earlier rights.

If no opposition is filed and no other barriers exist, the office registers the trademark and issues a registration certificate. The registration is valid for 10 years from the registration date and may be renewed indefinitely in 10-year increments.

METIDA represents clients throughout opposition proceedings. Filing an opposition at EUIPO costs €320 in official fees plus €150 per hour (firm fee); in Latvia, €180 in official fees plus €200 per hour; in Estonia, €160 in official fees plus €200 per hour.

How much does trademark registration cost in 2026?

EU trademark via EUIPO

Fees valid from 1 January 2026.

National trademark in Latvia

Fees valid from 1 January 2026.

National trademark in Estonia

Fees valid from 1 January 2026.

SME Fund: up to 75% reimbursement on EUIPO fees

The European Commission’s SME Fund reimburses eligible small and medium-sized enterprises up to 75% of EUIPO official fees for EU trademark and design applications. This means the €850 EUIPO filing fee for one class can be reimbursed up to €637.50, reducing the effective cost to approximately €212.50 for the official fee component. METIDA can advise you on eligibility and guide you through the application process.

Where to register: EU, Baltic States, or international?

EU vs. Baltic national vs. Madrid System – comparison

* WIPO Madrid fees depend on the number of countries designated and the type of mark. Use the WIPO fee calculator for an estimate.

When an EU trademark is the right choice: if you operate – or plan to operate – in more than one EU member state, an EU trademark (EUTM) filed with EUIPO provides protection across all 27 member states in a single application. It is also a prerequisite for using the EU SME Fund reimbursement.

When a Baltic national registration makes sense: if your market is currently limited to Latvia or Estonia, and you do not anticipate expanding to other EU markets in the near term, a national registration is the most cost-effective starting point. National registrations can later be converted to EU trademarks if your plans change.

When to use the Madrid System: if your business operates – or plans to operate – outside the EU, for example in the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan or other markets. The Madrid Protocol (administered by WIPO) allows you to file a single international application designating up to 130 countries. See: International trademark registration via the Madrid System.

Common mistakes when registering a trademark

1. Filing without a prior search

Registering a mark without first searching for earlier conflicting marks risks opposition proceedings or infringement claims from the owner of an earlier similar mark. A search costs €50–€500; resolving an opposition or infringement dispute costs considerably more.

2. Too narrow a list of goods and services

As a business grows, it often expands into new product or service categories. A registered trademark protects only the classes listed in the application – and the list cannot be widened after filing. A new application is required to cover additional classes.

3. A descriptive or non-distinctive mark

A mark that directly describes the characteristics of the goods or services it covers will be refused. “Fresh” for food products, “Fast” for delivery services, or “Legal” for legal services are examples of signs that lack the distinctiveness required for registration. The mark must be capable of distinguishing your goods or services from those of competitors.

4. Overlooking similar marks in adjacent classes

Well-known marks can enjoy protection beyond their primary class of goods or services. A search limited to a single class may miss a conflicting mark registered in a related field. METIDA’s searches cover adjacent classes where relevant.

5. Filing without professional representation

While anyone may technically file a trademark application, errors in class selection, imprecise specification of goods and services, or an inherently unregistrable sign can result in refusal or a registration with narrower protection than intended. METIDA’s specialists identify and address these issues before filing.

Why work with METIDA for EU and Baltic trademark registration?

METIDA is an intellectual property law firm established in 1991, with offices covering Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Our team has represented clients in thousands of trademark registration proceedings before EUIPO, the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Estonian Patent Office, WIPO and the courts of the Baltic States. METIDA is consistently among the leading filers of EU trademark and design applications from the Baltic region, according to EUIPO statistics.

Our trademark registration service includes:

• Full-service representation from initial assessment to receipt of the registration certificate
• Trademark search and registrability opinion before filing
• Goods and services specification drafting in the language of the relevant office
• Representation before EUIPO, the Latvian Patent Office and the Estonian Patent Office throughout examination and opposition proceedings
• Filing via the Madrid System (WIPO) for international registrations
• Guidance on EU SME Fund reimbursement eligibility and application

Frequently asked questions

How much does an EU trademark cost in 2026?

An EU trademark (EUTM) application for one class of goods or services costs €1,250 excl. VAT through METIDA: €850 in EUIPO official fees and €400 in METIDA firm fees. Each additional class costs €90 (2nd class) or €190 (3rd class and beyond). Fees are valid from 1 January 2026. Eligible SMEs can recover up to 75% of the EUIPO official fee through the EU SME Fund.

How long does EU trademark registration take?

EU trademark registration via EUIPO typically takes 5–7 months from the filing date, provided no absolute grounds objection is raised and no opposition is filed during the 3-month opposition period. An opposition, if filed, can extend the process by 6–18 months or more.

How long does a registered trademark last?

A registered EU trademark, Latvian trademark or Estonian trademark is valid for 10 years from the registration date. It may be renewed indefinitely in 10-year increments. Renewal fees for an EU trademark (1 class): €1,050 excl. VAT; Latvia: €380 excl. VAT; Estonia: €345 excl. VAT.

Does an EU trademark cover Latvia and Estonia?

Yes. An EU trademark registered with EUIPO provides protection in all 27 EU member states, including Latvia and Estonia. This means a single EUIPO application covers both countries, making it more cost-effective than filing separate national applications if you need protection in both.

What is the Nice Classification and how are classes chosen?

The Nice Classification is the international system grouping all goods and services into 45 classes. Official fees are charged per class at filing. The class selection must reflect your current and planned business activities; the list cannot be expanded after filing. METIDA prepares the goods and services specification as part of the application process.

What is an opposition and what happens if one is filed?

An opposition is a formal challenge by a third party filed within 3 months of a trademark’s publication in the official bulletin (EUIPO Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 46). The opposing party claims that the applied-for mark conflicts with their earlier rights. The trademark office initiates a cooling-off period to allow settlement; if no agreement is reached, the opposition is decided on its merits. METIDA represents clients in opposition proceedings before EUIPO, the Latvian Patent Office and the Estonian Patent Office.

What is the EU SME Fund and who qualifies?

The EUIPO SME Fund is a European Commission initiative that reimburses small and medium-sized enterprises up to 75% of official fees paid to EUIPO for trademark and design applications. On a one-class EU trademark application, the €850 EUIPO official fee can be reimbursed up to €637.50, reducing the effective official fee to approximately €212.50. Eligibility is based on the EU definition of an SME. METIDA can advise on eligibility and assist with the reimbursement process.

Can I register a trademark in the UK after Brexit?

Yes. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer covered by EU trademark registrations. A separate application to the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) is required for UK protection. METIDA handles UK trademark applications; the firm fee for a one-class application is €400, with a UK official fee of €260 (valid from 1 April 2026). See: Trademark registration in the United Kingdom.

Can I file one application to protect my trademark in both Latvia and Estonia?

Not through a single national application – Latvia and Estonia are separate jurisdictions requiring separate national filings. However, a single EU trademark application via EUIPO covers both countries simultaneously (along with all other 25 EU member states), making it the most efficient route if you need protection in both markets.