UKIPO announces fee increases following extended price freeze

This article was updated in January 2026 to include additional information released by the UKIPO on price increases

UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) official fees relating to trade marks, designs and patents are set to increase on 1 April 2026. With official fees unchanged for a considerable period (trade mark fees have been unchanged since 1998, design fees since 2016, and patent fees since 2018), the UKIPO states the increase has become necessary to address inflationary rises of 32% since 2016. The fee increases are subject to parliamentary approval but are expected to come into force on 1 April 2026. Despite the increases, the official fees at the UK IPO will remain relatively low compared to costs at other national/regional offices; something which applicants and IP rightsholders can leverage as part of their IP strategies. 

Fees are increasing by an average of 25% and will affect virtually all services offered by the UKIPO including applications, opposition/invalidity proceedings, renewals and recordals. A table of commonly used services and the new fees is set out below. For a comprehensive list of all changes, please refer to the full fee schedule published by the UKIPO. 

IP rightsholders may wish to consider their portfolio strategy and use early renewal windows or, where possible, file new applications before the increases take effect. Both trade marks and designs can be renewed up to six months in advance of their renewal deadline, and patents can be renewed up to three months in advance. This means that trade marks and designs with a renewal date up to and including 30 September 2026 and patents with a renewal due date in April or May 2026 can be renewed before 1 April 2026 under the old fees.

In January 2026, the UKIPO released further information about the fee changes and confirmed, for example, that:

• If a trade mark is applied for before 1 April 2026 and the grace period is relied on to pay the application fee on or after 1 April 2026, the old fee will be payable.
• If a request to defer a design is made on or after 1 April 2026, new fees will apply regardless of the original design application date.
• If the old, incorrect fee is paid to the UKIPO, a form or request will not be treated as having been submitted until the remainder is paid, and users may therefore miss a deadline.

The fee increases form part of wider changes taking place at the UKIPO. In 2021, the UKIPO announced the One IPO Transformation Programme, which aims to revolutionise the digital services it offers. Our earlier article on some of the changes taking place, such as the proposed discontinuation of series marks.  

Example increases:  

If you would like any further information please get in touch.