UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism introduces new trademark service fees to boost competitiveness and support SMEs

Government

UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism introduces new trademark service fees to boost competitiveness and support SMEs

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET) has announced the introduction of new fees for trademark services, following a Cabinet decision aimed at enhancing the country’s appeal for national and international brands while supporting small and medium enterprise (SME) owners.

During a media briefing held at the Ministry’s Dubai headquarters, officials outlined how the decision aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and attract global investment.

The new decision includes a 50 per cent reduction in all fees for members of the National SME Programme and a full exemption for People of Determination, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to building a more inclusive and innovation-driven economy.

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the move marks “a significant step in facilitating and expediting trademark registration procedures in the country, which saw a 129 per cent increase in registrations during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.”

He added that the decision supports the government’s efforts to improve service quality, accelerate application processing, and enhance the UAE’s attractiveness to international investors and global companies.

Substantial growth in trademark activity

According to the Ministry, 19,957 national and international trademarks were registered in the first half of 2025, up from 8,711 during the same period in 2024. This reflects strong momentum in brand registrations and confidence in the UAE’s business environment.

H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry, highlighted several initiatives driving this growth, including the Geographical Indications (GI) system for national products and the UAE’s accession to the Madrid Protocol in 2021, which allows SME owners to register trademarks locally and internationally.

Other efforts include the “One Day TM Initiative”, which accelerates trademark registration to just one day, the “Beyond 71” forum to empower local brands through innovation, and the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in IP services.

New pathway and fee structure

The new framework introduces a one-day examination service for AED 2,250, enabling faster review of trademark registration applications.
In total, the Ministry has established fees for 28 trademark services, which include new and revised categories.

Notable examples include:

Filing an infringement complaint: AED 2,250
Grievance against objection dismissal: AED 7,500
Registration of a geographical indication: AED 6,500
Conversion of national trademark to international: AED 400

Fees for four trademark renewal services have been consolidated, with renewal charges ranging from AED 5,750 to AED 9,750 depending on timing and type.

Encouraging innovation and inclusivity

H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector, said the new fees reflect the Ministry’s commitment to efficiency, flexibility, and world-class service delivery.
He added that the changes align with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to position the UAE as one of the world’s most pioneering economies by the next decade.

As of September 2025, the UAE has 402,311 registered national and international trademarks, reflecting ongoing growth in its intellectual property sector. The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to supporting innovation, creativity, and brand development as key drivers of a diversified and sustainable national economy.