Fee increases at the UKIPO on the horizon

Share

The UKIPO announced on 5 November 2025 that their fees will increase from 1 April 2026, subject to receiving parliamentary approval. This marks the first significant increase in many years: patent fees have remained unchanged since 2018, design fees since 2016, and trade mark fees since 1998.

It is remarkable that the fees haven’t increased in this time given inflation and other cost pressures – the UKIPO have worked hard to improve efficiency which has enabled them to keep the fees steady. 

What Will Change?

Fees will increase by an average of 25% across patents, trade marks and designs.

Next Steps

We will be reviewing the changes in detail and be providing further advice early in 2026.
Image of Robert Watson

Robert Watson

Robert is a Partner and Patent Attorney at Mewburn Ellis and handles patent work in our chemistry team. Dealing mainly with drafting and prosecuting and advising on global portfolio management and invention capture, he has particular experience in the pharmaceutical chemistry sector. He is also a leading member of our designs team. Robert is a member Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO (SACEPO), and President of FICPI’s Work and Study Commission (CET) in which capacities he meets the European Commission, EPO, EUIPO, WIPO and other patent offices. He represents FICPI-UK on the Marks and Designs Forum (MDF). He regularly speaks at conferences on a variety of topics including design law, entitlement to priority and privilege.

Our people

Our IP specialists work at all stage of the IP life cycle and provide strategic advice about patent, trade mark and registered designs, as well as any IP-related disputes and legal and commercial requirements.

Our people

Contact Us

We have an easily-accessible office in central London, as well as a number of regional offices throughout the UK and an office in Munich, Germany. We’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch.

Get in touch