After Filing

    EU Trademark Renewal: EUIPO Deadlines, Grace Periods, and Costs

    Zaman ZaidiZaman Zaidi · Founder & AttorneyDecember 4, 202512 min read

    Last updated: September 4, 2026

    EU Trademark Renewal: EUIPO Deadlines, Grace Periods, and Costs
    In This Article

    A European Union Trade Mark (EUTM) registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date. Unlike some countries that require periodic maintenance filings during the registration term, the EUTM system is straightforward: pay the renewal fee before expiry, and your protection continues for another decade across all 27 European Union member states.

    Renew on time and the registration keeps its original filing date, its seniority claims, and its place in every clearance search your competitors run.

    Pro tip: Not sure when your EUTM renewal is due? Look up the registration in EUIPO's eSearch plus, or send us the number and our renewal team will check it for you.

    EUTM Renewal Timeline

    Event Timing
    Earliest renewal filing 6 months before the expiry date
    Expiry date 10 years from the filing date, on the same day of the month
    Grace period 6 months after the expiry date
    Late fee surcharge 25% of the renewal fee during the grace period
    Final deadline End of the grace period, with no further extensions

    Important: The Expiry Date Rule

    EUTM registrations expire on the 10th anniversary of the filing date. The six-month renewal window and the six-month grace period are both counted from that day. For example:

    • Filing date: March 15, 2016
    • Expiry date: March 15, 2026
    • Earliest renewal: September 16, 2025
    • Grace period ends: September 15, 2026

    Renewal Fees (2026)

    Fee Component Amount
    Renewal fee (first class) EUR 850
    Second class EUR 50
    Each additional class (3rd+) EUR 150 per class
    Late renewal surcharge (during grace period) 25% of the total renewal fee

    These government fees mirror the initial application fees. Renewal is charged per class, and a late renewal inside the grace period costs more. The current amount for your classes is on the renewal service page. Our Total for a renewal, including our professional fee, is on the pricing page.

    The GTC advantage: Our trademark renewal service tracks your renewal deadlines and handles the entire renewal process, so your protection across the European Union continues without a gap.

    How to Renew Your EUTM

    1. Log into EUIPO's User Area
    2. Navigate to your registered EUTM
    3. Select the renewal option
    4. Confirm the classes to be renewed (you can do a partial renewal)
    5. Pay the renewal fee online

    Paper Renewal

    Submit a written renewal request to EUIPO with:

    • The EUTM registration number
    • The owner's name and address
    • The classes to be renewed
    • Payment of the applicable fees

    Online renewal is faster and provides immediate confirmation.

    Partial Renewal

    You do not have to renew all classes in your registration. Partial renewal allows you to:

    • Drop classes for goods or services you no longer offer
    • Reduce costs by eliminating unnecessary class fees
    • Streamline your portfolio

    Once a class is dropped at renewal, it cannot be added back; you would need to file a new EUTM application for those goods or services.

    When Partial Renewal Makes Sense

    • Your business model has changed since the original filing
    • You have not used the trademark for certain goods or services (reducing non-use cancellation exposure)
    • Budget constraints require prioritizing core classes

    EUIPO Reminder Notices

    EUIPO sends a courtesy reminder to the registered owner (or their representative) approximately 6 months before the expiry date. However:

    • The reminder is a courtesy only; EUIPO is not legally obliged to send it
    • Failure to receive the reminder does not extend the renewal deadline
    • Do not rely on EUIPO reminders as your only deadline-tracking mechanism

    If your contact details have changed since registration, update them with EUIPO so you receive correspondence. Better still, maintain an independent trademark monitoring system that tracks your renewal dates.

    What happens if you miss the renewal deadline?

    During the Grace Period (6 Months After Expiry)

    You can still renew by paying the standard renewal fee plus a 25% surcharge. The registration is maintained as if it had been renewed on time.

    After the Grace Period

    The EUTM registration is canceled and cannot be restored. Your options are:

    1. File a new EUTM application, accepting that you lose the original filing date and seniority claims
    2. Convert to national applications: under Article 139 EUTMR, you can convert a lapsed EUTM into national applications in individual European Union member states, retaining the original filing date. The request must be filed within 3 months from the day after the grace period ends
    3. File through WIPO's Madrid System (the Madrid Protocol): if you have a home trademark, cover the European Union through WIPO with our International Trademark Application via WIPO service

    A long-standing EUTM is worth keeping, especially if competitors have since filed similar trademarks in the same classes.

    Surrender vs Non-Renewal

    If you no longer need your EUTM, you have two options:

    Surrender (Active Cancellation)

    File a request with EUIPO to surrender the registration. This immediately removes the trademark from the Register. You can surrender for all or some classes.

    Non-Renewal (Passive Expiry)

    You let the registration lapse by not paying the renewal fee. The registration expires at the end of the grace period. This is simpler but means the trademark stays on the Register until the grace period ends.

    In most cases, non-renewal is the simpler approach unless you need the trademark removed from the Register urgently (for example, to clear the way for a new filing).

    Renewal and Genuine Use

    Renewing your EUTM does not require proof of use. However, be aware that:

    • A registered EUTM that has not been genuinely used in the European Union for a continuous period of 5 years is vulnerable to cancellation for non-use
    • Renewing a trademark you are not using maintains the registration but does not protect against non-use challenges
    • If you plan to resume use, renewal preserves your rights in the meantime

    Renewing an International Registration That Covers the European Union

    If your European Union protection comes through a WIPO international registration rather than a direct EUTM, renewal is handled through WIPO, not EUIPO. WIPO's renewal timeline and fee structure apply: you renew the international registration centrally and pay the fee for the European Union as part of that renewal.

    Best Practices for EUTM Renewal Management

    1. Track deadlines independently; do not rely solely on EUIPO reminders
    2. Renew early; file 6 months before expiry to avoid last-minute issues
    3. Review your specification; use renewal as an opportunity to assess whether all classes are still needed
    4. Update contact details; make sure EUIPO has your current address and representative information
    5. Consider your entire portfolio; if you have trademarks in several countries and regions, align renewal dates for efficient management
    6. Budget for renewals; factor in the recurring 10-year cost when building your trademark strategy

    Ready to renew your EU trademark?

    Whether your renewal is due soon or you want proactive deadline monitoring for the whole portfolio, our renewal team handles the filing, the fees, and the reminders. If you also need to file new trademarks in the European Union, see our EU trademark service and the European Union country guide. Common questions about deadlines and fees are answered in our FAQ.

    Sources

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long is an EUTM registration valid?

    An EUTM registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date. It can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods.

    How much does it cost to renew an EUTM?

    The government renewal fee is EUR 850 for one class, EUR 900 for two classes, and EUR 150 for each additional class. If renewed during the 6-month grace period, a 25% surcharge applies. Our Total is on the pricing page.

    When can I file for EUTM renewal?

    You can file for renewal from 6 months before the expiry date. The expiry date is the 10th anniversary of the filing date.

    What is the grace period for EUTM renewal?

    EUIPO provides a 6-month grace period after the expiry date during which you can still renew by paying the standard fee plus a 25% surcharge.

    Can I renew only some classes of my EUTM?

    Yes. Partial renewal allows you to renew for specific classes while dropping others. This is useful if your business focus has changed since the original filing.

    What happens if I miss both the renewal deadline and the grace period?

    The EUTM registration is canceled. You can file a new application, or convert the lapsed EUTM into national applications within 3 months from the day after the grace period ends.

    Zaman Zaidi

    Zaman Zaidi

    Founder & Attorney

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