UKIPO announces increases to official fees for Patents, Trade Marks and Designs

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has recently announced planned official fee increases across patents, trade marks and designs, due to take effect on 1 April 2026 (subject to parliamentary approval).  This is the first fee increase since 2018 for patents, 2016 for designs, and 1998 for trade marks.

 

The UKIPO states that the increases reflect inflation over several years, as well as the need to maintain service levels and ongoing digital transformation.  

 

The proposed fee changes apply throughout the lifecycle of an IP right, from filing through to post-registration maintenance.  Whilst the increases are noticeable, the UKIPO’s fees remain relatively low compared to many other major IP offices.

 

Patents – Key Changes

• Online application fee: £60 → £75 (+25%)
• Search fee: £150 → £200 (+33.3%)
• Substantive examination fee (online request): £100 → £130 (+30%)
• Total cost to file and proceed to search + examination: £310 → £405 (+30.6%)
• Renewals will increase from year 5 onwards.

For example:

• 5th year: £70 → £90 (+28.6%)
• 20th year: £610 → £810 (+32.8%)

 

Trade Marks – Key Changes

• Online filing (1 class): £170 → £205 (+20.6%)
• Additional class fee: £50 → £60 (+20%)
• Renewal (online or paper): £200 → £245 (+22.5%)
• Contentious actions (e.g. oppositions, revocations, invalidations):
• £100 → £125 (+25%), where opposition is based on ‘double identity’ and/or likelihood of confusion grounds)
• Other proceedings: £200 → £250 (+25%)

 

Registered Designs – Key Changes

• Online application (1 design): £50 → £60 (+20%)
• Online application (up to 10 designs): £70 → £85 (+21.4%)
• Renewals (every 5 years up to year 25):
• 1st renewal (year 5): £70 → £85 (+21.4%)
• Final renewal (year 20): £140 → £170 (+21.4%)

 

The official announcement and full fee tables are available online.

 

The current fee structure remains in place until 31 March 2026, after which the new rates will apply.  The UKIPO intends to publish detailed guidance early next year to help users manage transitions around the implementation date. 

 

Preparing for the Changes

In readiness, registered IP holders should:

• Review and potentially bring forward filings, particularly where multiple applications are planned;
• Advance upcoming renewals, where timing allows, to benefit from the lower existing fees; and
• Factor the increased rates into 2026/27 IP budgeting.

 

If you require specific advice in view of the upcoming fee changes, please contact Kelda Style re Patents, Daniel Wheatley re Trade Marks and Dominic Weston re Registered Designs. 

 

This briefing is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice relating to your particular circumstances. We can discuss specific issues and facts on an individual basis. Please note that the law may have changed since the day this was first published in November 2025.