What it costs
From the Ministry of Economy and Tourism's Register Trademark service page:
| Step | Fee per class, AED | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Examination (regular) | 750 | On filing |
| Examination (one business day) | 2,250 | On filing, instead of 750 |
| Publication in the Trademark Bulletin | 750 | After acceptance, within 30 days |
| Registration | 5,000 | After the opposition period, within 30 days |
| Total, regular route | 6,500 | |
| Total, one-day examination | 8,000 |
Since mid-November 2025 (sources give 14 or 15 November) these fees sit in Cabinet Resolution No. 102 of 2025, which replaced Resolution 20 of 2020. The headline amounts didn't change, but the new resolution confirms fees are charged per class, introduced the one-day examination, a 50% discount for SMEs registered with the National SME Programme, a full exemption for People of Determination, and new fees such as AED 7,500 to file an opposition and AED 5,000 to appeal a refusal (NJQ & Associates, ATB Legal).
Late payment costs extra: AED 100 a month (up to AED 1,000 a year) if the publication fee is late, and AED 1,000 a month (up to AED 10,000 a year) if the registration fee is paid more than 30 days after the opposition period ends.
How long it takes
- File online with the Ministry and pay the examination fee.
- Decision within 20 days of submission (or one business day on the expedited route).
- Pay publication (AED 750) within 30 days of acceptance. Marks are published in the Official Trademark Bulletin, issued twice a month.
- Opposition: 30 days from the bulletin date.
- Pay registration (AED 5,000) and receive the certificate within 30 days after the opposition period ends.
Without objections that adds up to roughly two to three months. A refusal can be appealed to the Appeals Committee within 30 days.
Which classes do you need?
Trademarks are filed by class of goods or services, and each class is charged in full. Common choices for Dubai businesses:
| Business | Typical class | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, café, cloud kitchen | 43 | Food and drink services |
| Packaged food or sauces you sell | 29 / 30 | Foods |
| Beauty salon, spa | 44 | Beauty and hygiene services |
| Cosmetics or perfume brand | 3 | Cosmetics, fragrances |
| Clothing brand | 25 | Clothing |
| Marketing agency, consultancy | 35 | Advertising and business services |
| Training centre | 41 | Education and training |
| App or software | 9 / 42 | Software; IT services |
Classes follow the international Nice Classification. Check the exact goods and services wording with the Ministry or an agent before you file.
Worked example: a café with its own bottled cold brew
| Item | Classes | Fee, AED |
|---|---|---|
| Café name and logo for food and drink services | 43 | 6,500 |
| Cold brew sold in shops | 32 (non-alcoholic drinks) | 6,500 |
| Total, regular route | 2 classes | 13,000 |
| Total, as a registered SME (50%) | 6,500 | |
| One-day examination for both instead of regular | +1,500 × 2 | +3,000 (or +1,500 as SME) |
Agent or lawyer fees come on top if you use one. If you skip the second class, a competitor can register the same name for drinks.
What nobody tells you
- Your trade name is not a trademark. The name on your trade licence stops another company registering the same trade name in that licensing system. It does not stop someone registering your logo as a trademark in your class.
- Your Instagram handle is not protection either. Platform trademark complaints ask for registration details; a handle alone gives you nothing to file.
- Logos and words are separate decisions. A word mark protects the name in any font; a logo mark protects the design. Small businesses on a budget often start with the word mark.
- Register before the launch campaign, not after. Once your name is public, anyone can try to file it. One-day examination exists precisely for launches and exhibitions.
- Your designer's logo needs a rights transfer. Before you register a logo, make sure the designer or agency has assigned the copyright to you in writing; see our guide to who owns content made by an agency or freelancer.
Vladimir Chernyshev, GM: for a small business we'd register the word mark in the one class you actually trade in, before any money goes into signage, packaging or a launch shoot. AED 6,500 is cheap next to reprinting everything after a dispute.
