Protecting your brand in the UAE requires registering a trademark with the UAE Ministry of Economy. Here is the complete 2025 guide to UAE trademark registration.
UAE Trademark Registration Overview
UAE trademarks are registered with the Ministry of Economy (MoE) Trademark Section. A UAE trademark registration provides: exclusive right to use the trademark in the UAE, legal grounds to prevent others from using confusingly similar marks, and the ability to licence or sell the trademark. UAE trademark duration: 10 years from the filing date. Renewable: yes, for successive 10-year periods. UAE is a member of the Madrid System (international trademark registration) — you can file a Madrid Protocol application to extend UAE trademark registration internationally.
UAE Trademark Registration Process
Step 1 — trademark search: search the UAE MoE online trademark database to check for conflicting marks. Step 2 — application filing: file online at the UAE MoE trademark portal (trademarks.economy.gov.ae). Provide: trademark image/logo (if graphical), applicant details, class(es) of goods/services (Nice Classification). Step 3 — formal examination: MoE examines the application for formalities (3-6 months). Step 4 — substantive examination: MoE examines for conflicts with existing marks (can take 6-18 months). Step 5 — publication: accepted trademarks published in the UAE Official Gazette for 30 days (opposition period). Step 6 — registration certificate: if no opposition, the certificate is issued. Total timeline: 12-24 months. UAE trademark filing costs 2025: AED 750-900 per class (government fees). Agent fees: AED 2,000-5,000 per class if using a trademark agent.
Nice Classification for UAE Trademarks
Trademarks are registered in one or more Nice Classification classes. Common classes for UAE businesses: Class 35 (advertising, business management), Class 42 (technology and software services), Class 36 (financial and real estate services), Class 25 (clothing), Class 30 (food). File in all classes covering your current and planned activities. Each additional class is an additional filing fee.