The UK Intellectual Property Office (“UKIPO”) has announced that its official fees are to increase by an average of 25% from 1 April 2026 for trade marks, registered designs and patents.

The UKIPO’s fees have not increased for a number of years – since 1998 for trade marks, and 2016 for designs, and 2018 for patents. However, the ~25% increase is now necessary to address the rises in UK inflation rates in recent years, and to ease future cost pressures on the UKIPO.

According to the announcement, which also sets out a full list of the current and new fees, the increases will “enable the IPO to continue to invest in its systems and provide high quality services.”

Some examples of the trade mark and design fee increases are set out below:

Owners of registered trade marks or designs that fall due for renewal in 2026 may wish to review their portfolios and file renewals prior to the fee increase coming into effect, where possible.

Likewise, if any new UK trade marks or designs may be filed in the coming months, making those prior to 1 April 2026 will result in savings on UKIPO official fees.

Our IP team is on hand to deal with any queries clients may have on these fee increases.

Example Trade Mark and Design Official Fee Changes