How to Register a Trademark in Ukraine in 2026
A name, logo or slogan begins to work for a business as an asset only after a certificate has been obtained. Before registration, you merely use the designation in practice and risk a competitor registering it first and lawfully prohibiting you from using it. We explain the trademark registration procedure in Ukraine as of September 2026.
The owner of a trademark certificate obtains the exclusive right to use the designation for the goods and services specified in the certificate and to prohibit others from using it. The certificate makes it possible to enter the mark in the customs register to block counterfeit goods, recognise it on the balance sheet as an intangible asset, grant licences and franchise packages, and sell the rights. A trade name and a domain name do not provide this level of protection.
The procedure can be divided into five main stages.
1. Clearance search.
Before filing an application, it is necessary to check for identical or similar marks in the databases of the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO), TMview and Madrid Monitor. The search should cover not only identical designations but also those that are confusingly similar in related classes. This is the least expensive stage, yet failing to carry it out is one of the most common causes of refusal and lost official fees.
2. Preparing the list of goods and services.
The scope of protection is determined by the classes of the International Classification of Goods and Services. The 13-2026 edition of the Nice Classification has applied since 1 January 2026. An excessively broad list leads to unnecessary fees and a risk of early termination for non-use, while an overly narrow list creates gaps that competitors may exploit.
3. Filing the application.
The application consists of the prescribed application form, a representation of the designation, a list of goods and services, and payment of the official fees. The applicant may be an individual or a legal entity, and an application may be filed jointly by several applicants. The application is submitted electronically through the online account and signed with a qualified electronic signature.
4. Examination.
A formal examination is conducted first, followed by substantive examination. During substantive examination, the designation is assessed for absolute grounds for refusal, including descriptiveness, lack of distinctive character and misleading nature, as well as relative grounds, including similarity to earlier registered marks. The application details are published, and any person may file a reasoned opposition within three months.
5. Registration and certificate.
Following a favourable decision, the publication fee and state duty are paid, the details are entered in the State Register, and the certificate is issued electronically. The rights take effect from the filing date, which is why an application should be filed as early as possible.
An expedited procedure in Ukraine has not yet been reinstated. The actual average registration period is 15–18 months and may sometimes be longer.
A certificate is valid for 10 years from the application filing date and may be renewed without limit. A renewal application is filed during the final year of validity. A six-month grace period is available after expiry, but a higher fee applies.
