UKIPO Official Fees to increase in 2026

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has announced that they will be increasing all official fees for trade marks, patents and designs from 1 April 2026.

What is the UKIPO?

The UKIPO is the official governing body in the UK responsible for managing and protecting intellectual property (IP) rights.

The UKIPO examines patent applications, issues patents and manages related disputes, revocations and supplementary protection certificates. For trade marks, the UKIPO oversees registration, oppositions, renewals and cancellations, while also maintaining the official design register and resolving design-related disputes. Although the UK does not have a formal copyright register, the UKIPO provides guidance and resources to help creators understand and protect their rights.

What’s changing? 

The UKIPO has announced that they will be increasing all official fees by an average of 25% from 1 April 2026. Current fees will remain unchanged until then, but businesses and rights holders should start planning ahead to manage the impact.

The increase applies across all IP official fees, with some of the most common transactions seeing notable adjustments:

Trade mark filings:

•  From £170 to £205 for one class
•  From £50 to £60 for each additional class

Trade mark renewals:

•   From £200 to £245 for one class
•   From £50 to £60 for each additional class

Opposition fees:

•   From £200 to £250

Patent searches:

•    From £150 to £200

What does this mean for my business?

 If you are conducting portfolio reviews or considering new filings in 2026, these changes could significantly affect your budget. The UK system allows for advance renewals, meaning there are opportunities to reduce costs by renewing early before the new fees take effect.