UKIPO proposes significant fee rises — what rights holders need to know

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has announced a major shift that will affect every business and individual relying on patents, trade marks or designs. From 1 April 2026, official fees across all three rights are set to rise — subject to parliamentary approval — marking the most substantial increase in decades.

Here, Associate and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney Natalie Hardman and Trainee Solicitor Simpreet Kaur from our commercial and intellectual property team outline what you need to know about the proposed increases.

Why are the fees increasing?

This will be the first substantive fee increase in several years (2018 for patents, 2006 for registered designs and 1998 for trade marks). Given this prolonged period of fee stability, an adjustment in line with current economic conditions is to be expected.

In previous years, the UKIPO avoided raising its fees by driving internal efficiencies and investing heavily in digital services to help to streamline its operations. However, significant inflationary pressures in recent years, combined with the need for continued investment in modernisation and development of enhanced online systems, services and processes, have led the UKIPO to conclude that fee increases are now necessary.

According to the UKIPO, these changes are essential to ensure that it can:

• Maintain high‑quality examination and registry services.
• Continue investing in its digital infrastructure.

What will the new fees look like?

From 1 April 2026, all UKIPO service fees will increase by an average of 25% across patents, trade marks and designs — subject to parliamentary approval. 

Outlined below are examples of key UKIPO services, presented with the current fees and the proposed revised fees:

What can you do to prepare?

The UKIPO has indicated that further details of the specific fee changes for patents, designs and trade marks will be published in early 2026, helping applicants and rights owners to plan for the new fee regime. 

This advance notice gives businesses the opportunity to act early — filing new applications or, where eligible, renewing existing rights before 1 April 2026 to benefit from current, lower fees. For those with larger IP portfolios, bringing forward planned filings or eligible renewals could result in meaningful savings.

Talk to us

Our IP team advises on all aspects of protecting and managing trade marks, designs and patents, including portfolio strategy, filings and renewals. If you are assessing how the proposed 2026 UKIPO fee increases could affect your rights — or considering bringing forward applications or renewals — our specialists can help you to plan the most cost‑effective approach.

Talk to us by calling 0333 004 4488, emailing hello@brabners.com or completing our contact form below.