--- title: "Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy: UK & EU Filing | GTC" description: "Post-Brexit trademark strategy guide. Comparable UK marks, dual filing (UK + EUTM), cost comparison, seniority, Madrid Protocol, and when each strategy..." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg", "description": "Multi-practice IP and business legal firm. Trademarks in 100+ jurisdictions, patents in 10 + PCT, copyrights under Berne. 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Comparable UK marks, dual filing (UK + EUTM), cost comparison, seniority, Madrid Protocol, and when each strategy...", "image": "https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/application-files/blog/post-brexit-trademark-strategy-uk-eu.jpg?t=1780411462192", "datePublished": "2026-01-28T10:00:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-06-21T15:53:49.676957+00:00", "inLanguage": "en-US", "isAccessibleForFree": true, "articleSection": "tips", "keywords": "post-Brexit trademark, UK EU dual filing, comparable UK trademark, Brexit trademark strategy, EUTM UK", "wordCount": 1474, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rajatpreet Singh Modi", "jobTitle": "Founder & Attorney", "image": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/team/rajat.jpg", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/team/rajatpreet-singh-modi" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog/post-brexit-trademark-strategy-uk-eu" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy: UK and EU Dual Filing for Complete Coverage", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog/post-brexit-trademark-strategy-uk-eu" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does my EUTM still cover the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Since January 1, 2021, EUTMs do not cover the UK. If you had an EUTM before Brexit, a comparable UK trademark was automatically created. New filings require separate applications." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is a comparable UK trademark?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It's an independent UK trademark automatically created from an EUTM that was registered or pending on December 31, 2020. It has the same filing date, priority, and seniority as the original EUTM." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need to file in both the UK and EU?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Only if you need brand protection in both markets. If you only operate in one jurisdiction, a single filing may be sufficient." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I claim priority between UK and EU?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Both the UK and EU are Paris Convention members. You can file in one jurisdiction and claim priority in the other within 6 months." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the Madrid Protocol work post-Brexit?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The UK remains a member of the Madrid Protocol. You can designate the UK in an international registration through [WIPO](https://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/). You can also designate the EU separately." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What about Northern Ireland?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Northern Ireland is covered by both UK trademarks and potentially EUTMs for goods (under the Windsor Framework). This is an evolving area of law." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is dual filing expensive?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Not significantly. A UK filing (GBP 170) plus an EUTM filing (EUR 850) costs roughly EUR 1,050 for one class — a modest investment for protection across 28 countries. ---" } } ] } ] --- [](/) - Trademarks - Patents - Copyrights - Data Privacy - Business Legal - [Pricing](/pricing) - Resources Sign inEN · USD Sign in 1. [Home](/) 2. / 3. [Blog](/blog) 4. / 5. Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy: UK and EU Dual Filing for Complete Coverage [Back to Blog](/blog) tips # Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy: UK and EU Dual Filing for Complete Coverage ![Rajatpreet Singh Modi](/team/rajat.jpg)Rajatpreet Singh Modi · Founder & International Trademark Attorney January 28, 2026 15 min read Share Last updated: June 21, 2026 ![Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy: UK and EU Dual Filing for Complete Coverage](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/post-brexit-trademark-strategy-uk-eu.jpg?width=1200&quality=80&resize=contain&t=1780411462192) In this article [What Changed at Brexit](#what-changed-at-brexit)[Comparable UK Trademarks](#comparable-uk-trademarks)[Dual Filing Strategy](#dual-filing-strategy)[Cost Comparison: Filing Strategies](#cost-comparison-filing-strategies)[Seniority Claims](#seniority-claims)[Priority Claims Between UK and EU](#priority-claims-between-uk-and-eu)[Managing a Post-Brexit Portfolio](#managing-a-post-brexit-portfolio)[When Each Strategy Makes Sense](#when-each-strategy-makes-sense)[Northern Ireland Protocol Considerations](#northern-ireland-protocol-considerations)[Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)[Build Your Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy](#build-your-post-brexit-trademark-strategy) ## Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy: UK and EU Dual Filing for Complete Coverage Since January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU trademark system. An EU trademark (EUTM) registered with the EUIPO no longer provides protection in the UK, and a UK trademark registered with the UKIPO does not cover any EU member state. For businesses operating in both markets, this creates a critical strategic question: **how do you efficiently protect your brand across both the UK and EU?** This guide provides a comprehensive post-Brexit trademark strategy. > **Pro tip:** Not sure whether you need dual UK + EU coverage? [Request a free trademark check](/free-trademark-check) and we'll assess your situation. ## What Changed at Brexit ### Before Brexit (Pre-2021) - A single EUTM covered **28 countries** including the UK - One application, one fee, one registration - The EUIPO was the only office you needed ### After Brexit (Post-2021) - EUTMs now cover **27 EU member states** (excluding the UK) - UK trademark protection requires a **separate UKIPO registration** - Two applications, two fees, two registrations - Two different renewal timelines to manage ## Comparable UK Trademarks To protect existing rights, the UK government automatically created **comparable UK trademarks** for every EUTM that was registered or pending on December 31, 2020. ### Key Facts: - **Automatically created** — no action required by the trademark owner - **Same filing/priority/seniority dates** as the original EUTM - **Independent from the EUTM** — changes to the EUTM don't affect the comparable UK mark - **Free to create** — but the UK mark has its own renewal fee (GBP 200 per class at renewal) - **Assigned a UK registration number** — prefixed with "UK009" followed by the EUTM number ### What This Means for Your Portfolio: If you had an EUTM before Brexit, you now have **two registrations** to manage: 1. The original EUTM (covering 27 EU states) 2. The comparable UK trademark (covering the UK only) Both need to be [renewed separately](/blog/uk-trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs) — renewing the EUTM does **not** renew the comparable UK mark. ## Dual Filing Strategy For new filings after Brexit, you need to decide your approach: ### Option 1: UK + EUTM (Dual Filing) **Best for:** Businesses actively operating in both the UK and EU markets. Component Cost UKIPO filing (1 class) GBP 170 EUIPO filing (1 class) EUR 850 **Total (1 class)** **~GBP 900 / ~EUR 1,050** **Advantages:** - Complete coverage across 28 jurisdictions (27 EU + UK) - Independent registrations — problems with one don't affect the other - UK registration not dependent on EUTM validity **Disadvantages:** - Higher initial cost - Two applications to manage - Two renewal timelines > **The GTC advantage:** Our [UK trademark service](/services/uk-trademark) and [EU trademark service](/services/eu-trademark) can be filed simultaneously, and our team manages both registrations through a single point of contact. ### Option 2: EUTM Only **Best for:** Businesses with no current UK market presence and no plans to enter the UK. - Covers 27 EU member states - Single application and registration - No UK filing cost **Risk:** If you later want UK protection, you'll need a separate filing without the benefit of the EUTM filing date. ### Option 3: UK Only **Best for:** Businesses operating exclusively in the UK market. - Lowest cost option (GBP 170 for one class) - Simplest to manage - No EU coverage **Risk:** No protection if you sell to EU customers or expand into EU markets. ### Option 4: Madrid Protocol **Best for:** Businesses filing in multiple countries beyond UK + EU. The [Madrid Protocol](https://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/) allows you to designate both the UK and EU (plus other countries) through a single international application. - Centralized management through WIPO - Single renewal process - But: "central attack" vulnerability for 5 years For multi-jurisdiction strategies, see our [international trademark service](/services/international-trademark). ## Cost Comparison: Filing Strategies Strategy 1 Class 3 Classes UK only GBP 170 GBP 270 EUTM only EUR 850 EUR 1,500 UK + EUTM (dual) ~EUR 1,050 ~EUR 1,800 Madrid (UK + EU designation) Varies by home country + designation fees Varies For most businesses operating in both markets, the **dual filing cost is modest** relative to the value of protecting your brand across 28 countries. ## Seniority Claims Seniority is a concept that was particularly relevant before Brexit. If you had: 1. A national UK trademark, AND 2. A later EUTM covering the same mark and goods/services You could claim **seniority** of the earlier UK mark in your EUTM. This meant you could let the UK national mark lapse while preserving the earlier filing date through the EUTM. ### Post-Brexit Impact: - Seniority claims made before Brexit were preserved in comparable UK trademarks - New seniority claims between UK and EUTM are **no longer possible** (since the UK is not an EU member state) - Existing seniority relationships continue to be honoured ## Priority Claims Between UK and EU Despite Brexit, **priority claims** still function between the UK and EU: - File in the UK → claim priority in the EU (within 6 months), and vice versa - Both the UK and EU are Paris Convention members - This means your earlier filing date is preserved in the second jurisdiction **Strategic use:** File in the cheaper jurisdiction first (UKIPO: GBP 170), then claim priority in the EUTM filing within 6 months. ## Managing a Post-Brexit Portfolio ### Audit Your Existing Registrations 1. **Identify comparable UK trademarks** — check if they were correctly created 2. **Verify renewal dates** — the comparable UK mark may have a different renewal date than the EUTM 3. **Review specifications** — the goods/services should match the original EUTM 4. **Check for use requirements** — the 5-year use requirement applies independently in each jurisdiction ### Consolidate Your Strategy - **Align renewal dates** where possible to simplify portfolio management - **Consider whether all marks need dual coverage** — some marks may only be commercially relevant in one jurisdiction - **Monitor for conflicts** in both systems independently ## When Each Strategy Makes Sense Scenario Recommended Strategy E-commerce selling to UK + EU customers Dual filing (UK + EUTM) UK-based startup planning EU expansion UK now, EUTM when expanding EU company with no UK sales EUTM only Global brand, 5+ countries Madrid Protocol UK-only brick-and-mortar business UK only Acquired brand with existing EUTM Verify comparable UK mark exists ## Northern Ireland Protocol Considerations Northern Ireland occupies a unique position post-Brexit: - EUTMs may still be enforceable in Northern Ireland for goods under the Windsor Framework - UK trademarks cover Northern Ireland as part of the UK - There is potential for **dual enforcement** in Northern Ireland This area of law is evolving and may change as the UK-EU relationship develops. ## Build Your Post-Brexit Trademark Strategy Navigating the post-Brexit trademark landscape requires strategic planning. Whether you need to audit your existing portfolio, file new applications, or manage dual registrations — Global Trademark Company provides end-to-end support. [Start with a free trademark check →](/free-trademark-check) ### Need help with your trademark? Get a free trademark check from our specialists, no obligation. Build Your Post-Brexit Strategy Or [learn more about this service →](/services/uk-trademark) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does my EUTM still cover the UK? ### What is a comparable UK trademark? ### Do I need to file in both the UK and EU? ### Can I claim priority between UK and EU? ### How does the Madrid Protocol work post-Brexit? ### What about Northern Ireland? ### Is dual filing expensive? ### Ready to get started? Our trademark specialists can help you with every step of the process. [Build Your Post-Brexit Strategy](/services/uk-trademark) ![Rajatpreet Singh Modi](/team/rajat.jpg) Rajatpreet Singh Modi Founder & International Trademark Attorney UK trademark EU trademark post-Brexit dual filing trademark strategy ## Related Articles [ ![How to Build a Global Trademark Portfolio on a $2,000 Budget in 2026](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/global-trademark-portfolio-2000-dollar-budget-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780326775169) ### How to Build a Global Trademark Portfolio on a $2,000 Budget in 2026 Apr 1, 2026 ](/blog/global-trademark-portfolio-2000-dollar-budget-2026)[ ![The Complete E-Commerce Trademark Checklist: 15 Steps to Protect Your Online Brand in 2026](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/ecommerce-trademark-checklist-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780411400809) ### The Complete E-Commerce Trademark Checklist: 15 Steps to Protect Your Online Brand in 2026 Mar 31, 2026 ](/blog/ecommerce-trademark-checklist-2026)[ ![Multi-Class EU Trademarks: Strategy for AI Brands 2026](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/multi-class-eu-trademark-ai-brands-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780326780572) ### Multi-Class EU Trademarks: Strategy for AI Brands 2026 Jan 19, 2026 ](/blog/multi-class-eu-trademark-ai-brands-2026) ## Site footer ![Global Trademark Company](/assets/gtc-logo-white-DQ8YcvVd.svg) Secure Every Step of Your Growth Trusted by brands since 2016 [hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com ](mailto:hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com) [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/) [+1 510-973-4964 (US & International) ](tel:+15109734964)[+44 7453 347853 (UK & EU) ](tel:+447453347853)[+91 6397-329955 (India) ](tel:+916397329955) ### Company - 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