Register a European Union trademark (EUTM): How to file an EU trademark

Register a European Union trademark (EUTM): How to file an EU trademark

A European trademark (EUTM) gives you one registration that covers all EU Member States, making it one of the most efficient ways to protect a brand across Europe. PATENTBOX Kancelaria Patentowa from Poznań is an IP law firm and trademark firm that supports end-to-end European Union trademark registration – from clearance searches and Nice classification to opposition and monitoring.

 

What you get with a trademark in the EU

A trademark in the EU protects your brand sign (word mark, logo, etc.) across the entire EU via EUIPO, instead of filing separately in each country. This can be ideal if you sell cross-border, plan EU-wide marketing, or want a single right that is easier to manage than multiple national portfolios.

If your business focus is mainly local, a Polish trademark (a trademark in Poland) can still be a smart first step; the best route depends on where you operate now and where you will expand next.

 

How to file a trademark in Europe (EUIPO): the practical steps

1) Start with a clearance search (before trademark filing)

Before trademark filing, check whether identical or confusingly similar earlier rights exist, because conflicts are a common reason for disputes later in the process. PATENTBOX recommends searches and risk assessment so your trademark application is built on realistic chances of registration and enforceability.

2) Choose the right Nice classification

Your goods and services must be listed under the Nice classification (Classes 1–45), and your wording should be accurate – too narrow can under-protect you, too broad can increase risk and cost. PATENTBOX helps you select classes and craft specifications that match your real commercial plans (and reduce friction in examination and disputes).

3) File the EU trademark application and pay the official fees

To answer “how to file a trademark in Europe”: an EUTM is filed with EUIPO (typically online), and the official filing fee is €850 for one class, plus €50 for a second class and €150 for each class from the third onward. PATENTBOX’s role is to manage the full trademark application – formalities, strategy, and a clean, consistent record from day one – through a dedicated trademark attorney / trademark agent in Poland.

4) Publication and the 3‑month opposition window

EUIPO publishes the application, and then a strict, non-extendable opposition period of three months begins. This is a critical phase because EUIPO does not automatically refuse later-filed marks just because they are similar to yours – rights holders often must act proactively to stop conflicts.

 

Opposition and monitoring: how to protect your brand after filing

An EU trademark opposition is filed at EUIPO and is typically based on earlier rights (earlier trademarks, company name rights, etc.). PATENTBOX explains that you must file within the 3-month window and pay the official fee; importantly, if the earlier mark is older than five years, the applicant may request proof of use (and EUIPO can require evidence).

Ongoing monitoring is how you avoid missing that deadline: PATENTBOX’s trademark monitoring service is designed to detect conflicting applications early so you can oppose on time, since the office will not block conflicts automatically without your action.

 

Register a EU trademark with us (PATENTBOX): what we do

Working with PATENTBOX means you get one coordinated process handled by an IP law firm that focuses on practical business outcomes: registrability, enforceability, and portfolio clarity. Typical support includes:

  • Pre-filing search and risk assessment (EU + trademark in Poland where relevant).
  • Drafting the goods/services list under Nice classification and preparing the trademark application.
  • Filing and prosecution before EUIPO, plus strategic guidance if objections or third-party opposition
  • Post-filing monitoring and enforcement support to keep your EU brand protected long-term.

PATENTBOX also provides practical guidance on EU trademark costs and fee structures, helping clients budget for EU-wide brand protection.

 

WTR 1000 and choosing a trademark firm

Many brand owners use WTR 1000 as one of the reference points when assessing market-recognized trademark practices. If you want to register a European Union trademark and build a filing-and-enforcement strategy that also fits a Polish base (or a Poland-first rollout), PATENTBOX can support you as your long-term trademark firm partner.

 

    Contact us!

    Are you looking for an IP attorney's support? Describe the details of your case.
    We will get back to you as soon as possible.

    Also check

    Trademark vs. registered design: key differences & when to use both

    Not sure whether to register your logo as a trademark or a registered design? This guide compares both IP tools side by side — covering costs, protection scope, registration timelines, and legal requirements at the EUIPO and the UPRP — and explains when a combined strategy delivers maximum brand protection.

    read more

    Register a European Union trademark (EUTM): How to file an EU trademark

    Register a European Union trademark (EUTM) with confidence. This guide explains how to file an EU trademark at EUIPO, choose the right Nice classification, manage the opposition period, and set up monitoring. See how PATENTBOX, a Polish trademark team, supports end-to-end filing and strategy.

    read more

    PATENTBOX in the WTR 1000 2026 rankings: Bronze recognition for Prosecution & Strategy

    PATENTBOX Kancelaria Patentowa is proud to be mentioned in the World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 2026 rankings, earning Bronze in Prosecution & Strategy. Discover what the WTR 1000 is, why it matters to brand owners, and how Barbara Suszczewicz and the PATENTBOX team were praised.

    read more