The UAE Cabinet has approved new trademark service fees, introducing a 50% discount for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and full exemptions for People of Determination. The move, announced on October 21, aims to bolster the country’s intellectual property framework and support entrepreneurs amid a 129% surge in trademark registrations.
The UAE Cabinet has approved an updated schedule of fees for trademark services, introducing significant support for local businesses and entrepreneurs. The new structure, announced by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism on Tuesday, includes a 50% exemption for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and a full exemption for People of Determination.
This decision is designed to enhance the UAE’s intellectual property (IP) framework, streamline the trademark registration process, and solidify the nation’s position as a global hub for innovation and investment. The announcement was made during a media briefing in Dubai attended by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Intellectual Property Sector.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, stated that the new fee structure is a key step in supporting business growth and attracting global talent.
“The new fee structure will help them grow, improve the quality of services offered to customers, and expedite procedures, thereby facilitating the registration and follow-up of trademarks,” he said.
The move comes as the UAE sees a significant rise in intellectual property activity. In the first half of 2025, the Ministry registered 19,957 national and international trademarks, a 129% increase from the 8,711 recorded in the same period of 2024. By the end of September 2025, the total number of registered trademarks in the country reached 402,311.
This growth is supported by several national initiatives, including the UAE’s accession to the Madrid Protocol in 2021, which allows local businesses to register trademarks internationally. The government has also launched the “One Day TM Initiative” to speed up registrations and has started integrating AI into its IP services, reflecting a broader trend of digital transformation seen in emirates like Sharjah, which has transformed rental processes to minutes.
Key Changes to Trademark Fees
The updated fee schedule introduces 28 revised services, including several new categories and consolidated fees for existing ones. Key updates include:
- One-day trademark examination: AED 2,250 ($612)
- Registration of a geographical indication: AED 6,500 ($1,770)
- Grievance against trademark registration refusal: AED 5,000 ($1,361)
- Conversion of a national trademark to international: AED 400 ($109)
- Renewal during final year of protection: AED 5,750 ($1,565)
- Renewal within six months after protection ends: AED 6,500 ($1,770)
The decision grants a 50% partial exemption to members of the National Programme for Small and Medium Enterprises and a full exemption to People of Determination.
The reforms align with the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to establish the nation as a leading global economic hub. This initiative to bolster the IP sector complements the country’s strong economic performance, with the IMF raising its UAE 2025 GDP growth forecast to 4.8%.
