How to Register a Trademark in the UAE (2026): Fees, Steps and Timeline

After years of running and managing Amazon stores, I’ve learned one lesson the hard way: if you don’t own your brand name, you don’t really own your business. Without a registered trademark, someone can copy your name, list fake products, or even register the brand before you and lock you out of marketplace brand tools.

Here’s how to register a trademark in the UAE in 2026: the real government fees, the steps and how long it takes.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check the latest fees on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism website before you file.

Table of contents

1. UAE trademark registration at a glance
2. Why online sellers should register early
3. Step-by-step: how to register
4. Total cost examples
5. Common mistakes
6. Frequently asked questions
7. Can an individual register a trademark in the UAE?
8. Does a UAE trademark protect me in other GCC countries?
9. Should I register before launching my store?

UAE trademark registration at a glance

Item	Detail
Authority	Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET)
Government fees	About AED 6,500 per class (AED 750 application + AED 750 publication + AED 5,000 registration)
SME discount	50% off for members of the National Programme for SMEs
Examination	Usually 1 to 3 months (one-day examination available for about AED 2,250 extra)
Opposition period	30 days after publication
Total time	Roughly 3 to 6 months if there are no objections
Validity	10 years from filing, renewable for 10-year periods

Why online sellers should register early

• Marketplace brand programs: Amazon Brand Registry and similar programs on other platforms require a registered or pending trademark. See my guide to selling on Amazon UAE.
• Stopping copycats: you can take action against people using your name or logo.
• Business value: a registered brand is an asset you can license or sell.
• First to file wins: in practice, whoever registers first is in the stronger position.

Step-by-step: how to register

1. Search first. Check the MoET trademark database for identical or similar marks in your classes. Most refusals come from conflicts that a search would have caught.
2. Choose your classes. The UAE uses the international Nice Classification (45 classes). A clothing brand needs class 25; an online store service might need class 35. Each class is a separate fee.
3. Prepare documents: a clear logo or word mark, applicant details (trade licence for a company or Emirates ID/passport for an individual), and a list of goods or services. Foreign applicants need a UAE-registered trademark agent and a power of attorney.
4. File online on the MoET portal (UAE Pass login) and pay the AED 750 application fee.
5. Examination. The ministry checks whether your mark is distinctive and doesn’t conflict with existing marks. You may receive an objection that you can respond to.
6. Publication. Once accepted, pay the AED 750 publication fee within 30 days. The mark is published in the Trademark Bulletin.
7. Opposition period. Third parties have 30 days to oppose.
8. Registration. With no opposition, pay the AED 5,000 registration fee and receive your certificate.

Total cost examples

Scenario	Government fees (AED)
1 class, standard	6,500
1 class, one-day examination	8,750
1 class, SME programme member	3,250
3 classes, standard	19,500

Agent fees are extra, often around AED 1,500 to 5,000 per class. Don’t miss payment deadlines: late fees apply, and unpaid stages can lead to the application being abandoned.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a generic or descriptive name (“Best Dubai Perfumes”) that can’t be protected
• Filing in too few classes, then a competitor registers your name in another class
• Skipping the search and losing the application fee to a refusal
• Launching ads and building a following before filing
• Letting the 10-year renewal lapse (there’s a 6-month grace period with a higher fee)

Frequently asked questions

Can an individual register a trademark in the UAE?

Yes. Both individuals and companies can apply.

Does a UAE trademark protect me in other GCC countries?

No. Trademarks are territorial, so you need separate registrations (or an international filing) for other countries.

Should I register before launching my store?

Ideally, yes. At minimum, file before you spend serious money on branding and ads.

Setting up a new brand in the UAE? Get the foundations right with my guide to starting an online business in Dubai, or book a free consultation.