With the first major rise in UK trade mark fees in almost 30 years taking effect on the 1st of April 2026, organisations planning brand launches, renewals or enforcement action are facing an unexpected shift in costs. For businesses relying on predictable IP budgets, understanding the new structure early is therefore essential.
Whilst still subject to Parliamentary approval, the changes will take effect from April 2026, with increased fees applied by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) across new trade mark applications, renewals of current registrations, and when opposing or otherwise challenging a trade mark during contentious proceedings. The upcoming changes are driven by sustained inflation and the UKIPO’s aim to modernise and streamline its systems.
To help businesses navigate the change, Annie Blake, Trade Mark Attorney at Avidity IP, explains what the new fees will mean in practice and the steps that brand owners should take now, ahead of the fee increases, in order to avoid inevitable cost hikes whilst simultaneously keeping protection strong and enforceable.
Why Are Trade Mark Fees Increasing?
The UKIPO has not updated trade mark fees since 1998, despite inflation rising by roughly 32% since 2016.
The upcoming increase, averaging around 25% across trade marks, designs and patents, is designed to support ongoing service improvements and modernisation of UKIPO systems.
What Exactly Is Changing? The Key UK Trade Mark Fee Increases
From the 1st of April 2026, the following official fee increases will apply:
- Application (online): £170 → £205
- Additional class fee: £50 → £60
- Renewal (one class): £200 → £245
- Additional class renewal: £50 → £60
- Opposition (based on the most common grounds): £100 → £125
- Opposition (based on reliance of other, less typical grounds): £200 → £250
- Invalidation / revocation: £200 → £250
- Recordal of license or assignment: £50 → £60
- UK Madrid filing fee: £40 → £50
Fees will be charged at the old fee rate up to and including 31 March 2026.
What Is the UKIPO “Period of Grace” and How Can It Save Costs?
A helpful, and often overlooked, detail is the UKIPO’s grace period for trade mark applications.
If you file your application before 1 April 2026, but pay the associated fee shortly after (within the permitted grace period), you will still benefit from the lower, pre‑increase fees.
This gives applicants a strategic advantage:
- File early to secure your filing date
- Pay shortly after, without incurring the new rates
- Maximise budget efficiency without delaying your plans
Avidity IP regularly uses this mechanism for clients to ensure they capture the best possible timing and value.
How Early Should You Renew to Avoid Higher Fees?
If you already have a Trade mark registration in place and wish to maintain it, a registration must be renewed every ten years, and can be renewed up to six months prior to its formal renewal date.
This means any registration due for renewal up to 30 September 2026 can still be renewed at the current fees, as long as the payment is made before 1 April 2026.
For businesses managing multiple registrations or multi‑class portfolios, early renewal can:
- Reduce overall annual spend
- Prevent unpredictable cost spikes
- Provide more certainty around budgeting for FY 2026/27
Avidity IP can audit your current IP portfolio and identify where early action may deliver the greatest value.
FAQS: How Should Brand Owners Prepare for the April 2026 Fee Increase?
Q: Should I file trade marks before 1 April 2026?
A: Yes, in filing before the increase, you will benefit from lower application and class fees.
Q: Is it worth renewing early?
A: If your renewal falls before 30 September 2026, it is advisable to act now, thereby realising immediate savings.
Q: How will this affect international filings?
Although the UKIPO’s published guidance only covers its own fee increases and does not mention any changes to WIPO fees, filing a UK trade mark application before 1 April 2026 will still lower your overall costs if you plan to use it as the basis for a future International (WIPO) application. Filing early also makes it easier to align your UK and international filing timelines for better value.
Who Should Take Action Now?
You should consider planning ahead if you are:
- A start-up launching a brand in 2026
- A business filing multi‑class applications
- Managing single or multiple renewals due between April–September 2026
- Engaged in oppositions, cancellations or enforcement
- Coordinating an international filing sequence via the international registry
- Assigning your rights or arranging a licensing agreement
Acting now can reduce costs, improve predictability, and help you stretch your IP budget further.
How Can Avidity IP Help You Prepare?
With the April 2026 fee increases approaching, now is the ideal time to take early, strategic action which can protect both your IP budget and the long‑term strength of your brand.
At Avidity IP, we help clients bring forward filings and renewals to secure current fees, plan logical timelines for UK and international protection, and make full use of the UKIPO grace period.
We also work closely with businesses to streamline their trade mark portfolios so the most valuable registrations are prioritised, while addressing any enforcement or opposition issues before higher fees take effect.
To explore what this could mean for your portfolio, get in touch with our specialist team today.