Madrid System · WIPO

International registration: one application, many countries

With an international registration (IR) you can extend your German or EU trade mark to more than 130 countries, including Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the USA and China.

Request IR filingNational trade marks
CHF 653WIPO basic fee (black and white)
CHF 903basic fee for a mark in colour
CHF 100complementary fee per country without individual fee
12/18 monthstime limit for offices to issue a refusal

How it works

The international registration is based on the Madrid Protocol. You need a basic mark, i.e. a filed or registered trade mark in your home office, for example a German trade mark or an EU trade mark. The application is filed through that office and forwarded to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. Each designated country then examines the mark under its own law.

Step 1Basic markGerman or EU trade mark
Step 2ApplicationCountries and list of goods; fees in CHF
WeeksWIPOFormal examination, registration, publication
12–18 monthsCountriesExamination and grant or provisional refusal

Important: for five years the international registration depends on the basic mark. If the basic mark is cancelled in that period, the IR falls as well (“central attack”). It can then be transformed into national applications, but that costs time and money.

Practical example 1

Expansion into Switzerland and the UK

A cosmetics company holds an EU trade mark and starts selling in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. One international application designating CH and GB is cheaper than two national filings and can be managed centrally.

Practical example 2

Refusal in China

For a designation of China the office raises an objection against two items in the specification. We coordinate a response with a local agent; the mark is granted for the remaining goods.

Request an international registration – from EUR 345*

Select “International registration” in the form and list the countries. You will receive a quote with our fee and all WIPO fees before anything is filed.

    Which service are you interested in?*

    Trade mark (word or name of the logo)*

    Logo (if any)

    Countries (for international or national filings)

    Goods and services

    Further information

    Prices are attorney fees plus VAT and plus official fees. You will receive a quote including all fees before we file.

    Your contact details

    First and last name*

    Company

    Email*

    Phone

    Our fixed-price services

    *Attorney fees, net, plus VAT and official fees. All services

    Speak to a trade mark attorney

    horak. Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB, Georgstraße 48, 30159 Hannover, Germany · Phone +49 511 357 356 0 · Filing request · Proceedings request

    Last reviewed: November 2026. Sources: WIPO Madrid fee schedule, Madrid Protocol. This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your individual case.