Reviewed by Nour Saleem, Registered Trademark & Patent Agent and Dubai Courts IP expert · Last updated September 2026
Quick answer: UAE trademarks are registered with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET) under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks. Official fees are AED 6,500 per class, protection lasts 10 years from the filing date, and one registration covers all seven emirates. Foreign owners must file through a registered agent such as NAS & Associates.
Your brand name, logo and slogan are among the most valuable assets your business owns. The UAE is a first-to-file system, so the party that files first generally gets priority, even if you were using the brand earlier. Filing early and filing correctly is the most cost-effective protection there is.
Our Trademark Services
- Clearance searches in the MoET register before you invest in a brand.
- Class selection and specification drafting under the Nice Classification, so your registration actually covers what you sell.
- Filing and prosecution, including responses to examination objections and appeals to the Appeals Committee.
- Oppositions, filing against conflicting marks and defending your application.
- Renewals, assignments, licences and recordals of changes of name or address.
- Portfolio management for regional and international brands, including GCC and Madrid Protocol filings.
- Enforcement against counterfeits and infringement, backed by our experience as court-appointed IP experts.
UAE Trademark Registration Process, Step by Step
- Search and strategy. We check the register for identical and similar marks and advise on registrability and the right classes.
- Filing and examination fee. The application is filed with MoET and the AED 750 examination fee is paid (AED 2,250 for one-day expedited examination).
- Examination decision. MoET aims to issue a decision within 20 working days. If refused, an appeal to the Appeals Committee must be filed within 30 days of notification.
- Publication. Once accepted, the AED 750 publication fee is paid and the mark is published in the official Trademark Bulletin.
- Opposition period. Third parties have 30 days from the bulletin date to oppose.
- Registration and certificate. After the opposition period, the AED 5,000 registration fee is paid and the certificate is issued within 30 days.
Trademark Registration Cost in the UAE (2026)
| Stage | Official MoET fee (per class) |
|---|---|
| Examination (regular) | AED 750 |
| Examination (expedited, one business day) | AED 2,250 |
| Publication in the Trademark Bulletin | AED 750 |
| Registration | AED 5,000 |
| Total, regular route | AED 6,500 |
Documents Required
- A clear image of the trademark (JPEG).
- A copy of the trade licence, where the applicant is a company or establishment.
- A notarised power of attorney when filing through an agent. Owners outside the UAE must file through an agent, with the power of attorney notarised and legally translated.
- A certified priority document, if you are claiming priority from an earlier foreign filing.
Validity, Renewal and Use
A UAE trademark is protected for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for further 10-year periods. Diarise your renewal date and keep records of use: a mark that is not used for five consecutive years is vulnerable to cancellation.
Protecting Your Brand Beyond the UAE
A UAE registration protects you only in the UAE. There is no single GCC trademark, so regional protection means registering in each country. Five GCC countries are in the Madrid System; Kuwait needs a national filing. We handle filings across the Gulf from Dubai: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain. Compare them in our GCC trademark registration guide.
Why Brand Owners Choose NAS & Associates
- Founded in 2009 by Nour Saleem, a Registered Trademark & Patent Agent in the UAE.
- Court-appointed intellectual property expert experience before the Dubai Courts, so we know how trademark disputes are actually decided.
- More than 6,400 trademarks handled for 830+ clients.
- A network of 190+ associate agents and firms worldwide for GCC and international filings.
- One Dubai-based team handling your mark from search to enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does trademark registration cost in the UAE?
Official Ministry of Economy and Tourism fees for one class total AED 6,500: AED 750 examination, AED 750 publication and AED 5,000 registration. Expedited one-day examination costs AED 2,250 instead of AED 750. Our professional fees are quoted separately.
How long does it take to register a trademark in the UAE?
The Ministry aims to decide on an application within 20 working days. After acceptance and publication there is a 30-day opposition period, and the certificate is issued within 30 days of that period ending once the registration fee is paid. Without objections or oppositions, the whole process typically takes around 3 to 6 months.
Does a UAE trademark protect my brand in Dubai and all other emirates?
Yes. A trademark registered with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism is federal and covers all seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Does a UAE trademark protect me in other GCC countries?
No. Protection is territorial. To protect your brand in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait or Bahrain you need filings in each country, or an international application under the Madrid Protocol where the target country is a member.
From when does protection start and how long does it last?
Protection runs from the filing date and lasts 10 years. It can be renewed for further 10-year periods.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in the UAE?
Yes. An owner located outside the UAE must file through a registered trademark agent, with a notarised and legally translated power of attorney.
What happens if I do not use my registered trademark?
A registered mark that is not used for five consecutive years can be challenged and cancelled on application by an interested party, so keep evidence of use in the UAE.
What can I do if someone infringes my trademark in Dubai?
Options include administrative complaints to the economic department of the relevant emirate, criminal complaints to the police, and civil actions before the UAE courts. The right route depends on the evidence, the scale of infringement and your commercial goals.