Trademark registration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is governed by the GCC Trademark Law (the unified trademark law of the Gulf Cooperation Council), applied in the Kingdom under Royal Decree No. (M/51) dated 26/7/1435H, as amended by Royal Decree No. (M/49) dated 1/6/1442H. The law is administered by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), established under Council of Ministers Resolution No. (559) dated 11/10/1438H, which examines trademark applications, publishes accepted marks in the IP Gazette, and issues registration certificates. Adding to this landscape in 2026, the Kingdom has joined the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of trademarks: Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession on 8 July 2026, with entry into force set for 8 October 2026 — opening a new, unified route to protecting a trademark across multiple countries through a single international filing.
This article approaches trademark registration in Saudi Arabia from a practical angle: what qualifies as a trademark and what cannot be registered; who is eligible to register a mark, how foreign applicants are represented, and how the correct class is determined; the digital registration steps through SAIP's Unified IP Services Platform; the officially approved registration fees; the duration of protection and renewal; international registration through the Madrid Protocol; and trademark registration for foreign companies specifically — making it a practical reference for business owners, local and foreign investors, and entrepreneurs.
The short answer: a trademark is any sign used to distinguish the goods or services of one business from those of another, and registering it in Saudi Arabia secures an exclusive right to use it through a single online gateway at the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. The process begins with a prior search and classification of the goods or services under the international (Nice) classification, followed by filing and examination, then a 60-day publication period during which oppositions may be filed, and finally payment of the final fees and issuance of the registration certificate. Protection lasts ten years and is renewable for further ten-year terms, and with the Kingdom's accession to the Madrid Protocol taking effect on 8 October 2026, international registration becomes possible through a single filing in which the trademark owner designates the member countries where protection is sought. The sections below set out the figures and fees in detail, drawn from official sources.
Legal Framework for Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
Trademark registration in the Kingdom is governed by the GCC Trademark Law, a unified law adopted by the GCC member states and applied in Saudi Arabia following the Royal Decree approving it. The law covers the definition of a trademark and its requirements, what does not qualify as a mark, registration and publication procedures, the legal effect of registration, renewal and cancellation rules, transfer of ownership, pledges and attachments, licensing agreements, collective marks, fees, and offenses and penalties. Within this framework, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) acts as the competent authority: it receives applications through the Unified IP Services Platform, conducts formal and substantive examination, publishes accepted marks in the IP Gazette, issues registration certificates, and represents the Kingdom before international IP bodies, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
This institutional development reflects the priority given to trademarks within the knowledge economy under Vision 2030. The Kingdom has moved rapidly — first consolidating IP responsibilities under a single authority, then adopting the unified GCC trademark system, and now joining the international registration framework through the Madrid Protocol. Trademark owners today have two parallel routes: local registration with SAIP, and international registration through a unified filing — both of which are covered in detail below.
What Can Be Registered as a Trademark — and What Cannot?
A trademark is defined broadly to include names, words, signatures, letters, symbols, numerals, titles, seals, distinctive designs, drawings, images and engravings, packaging methods, shapes, colors or combinations of colors, or any sign or combination of signs used — or intended to be used — to distinguish the goods or services of one business from those of others. The law also sets out grounds on which a mark cannot be registered, including marks lacking any distinctive character; marks bearing state emblems or the insignia of international organizations without authorization; marks contrary to public order or morality; marks likely to mislead the public or that include false information about the source, nature, or qualities of the goods or services; and marks containing a fictitious, imitated, or forged trade name.
Registration classes are determined under the Nice Classification, the international system for classifying goods and services, which divides them into 45 classes (34 for goods and 11 for services). A mark may be registered under one class or several, with a separate application required for each class sought — which is why getting the classification right before filing matters: registering under the wrong class leaves the mark without real protection, even once a certificate has been issued. The law also permits registering a series of marks that are substantially identical, where the differences (such as color) do not materially affect the mark's identity, provided the goods or services fall within the same class.
Who Is Eligible to Register a Trademark in Saudi Arabia?
The law sets out who may apply to register a trademark: natural or legal persons holding Saudi nationality; persons habitually resident in the Kingdom and licensed to carry on a commercial or professional activity; and nationals of countries that extend reciprocal treatment to Saudi Arabia. Foreign individuals and companies are entitled to this right provided they own a factory, shop, or trade, or carry on a commercial, industrial, or service activity — with the mark registered in the name of the owner or the party representing the relevant economic activity.
Procedurally, non-residents — including foreign applicants with no presence in the Kingdom — can file a registration application through a locally licensed agent registered with SAIP, or through an authorized firm handling the registration on their behalf. This is enabled through the Unified IP Services Platform's power-of-attorney service: once SAIP accepts the authorization, the licensed agent registers the mark on behalf of its foreign owner. This is precisely where trademark registration for foreign companies intersects with the agency services handled by the Nova Legal team before the Authority.
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Steps to Register a Trademark in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) receives and processes trademark applications entirely electronically through the Unified IP Services Platform, for all applications filed as of 19/12/2023. The officially published service steps are as follows:
- Prior trademark search: Search the database of registered and published trademarks to confirm that no identical or confusingly similar mark exists under the same class — reducing the risk of rejection or later opposition.
- Determine the trademark class: Identify the class of goods or services the mark will cover under the Nice Classification's 45 classes, ensuring it captures the full scope of the business's actual activities.
- File the new trademark application: Submit through the trademark portal via the national single sign-on system or by email, applying as the owner, an authorized representative, an agent, or the owner of the establishment or company, with the required data and a clear image of the mark.
- Pay the examination invoice: SAIP issues an invoice for examination of the mark; once paid, the application is accepted and undergoes formal and substantive examination. The official service turnaround time is 90 days.
- Examination decision: Following examination, SAIP issues one of three decisions: acceptance, conditional acceptance requiring amendment (with a 90-day deadline, after which an unamended application is treated as withdrawn), or rejection.
- Publication in the IP Gazette: Once accepted, SAIP issues a publication invoice; upon payment, the mark is published in the IP Gazette for 60 days, during which any interested party may file an opposition.
- Final payment and certificate issuance: If the publication period passes without opposition, the final invoice must be paid within 30 days of issuance, after which the registration certificate is generated directly from the system.
These are the official steps published by SAIP. The total timeline can extend where oppositions, amendment requests, or appeals are filed, and in practice the full process — through to issuance of the final certificate — typically takes around six to twelve months. This does not contradict the official 90-day "turnaround time" quoted for the registration service itself, which refers to the examination stage rather than the process as a whole.
Trademark Registration Fees in Saudi Arabia (2026)
Trademark registration fees in Saudi Arabia are reasonable relative to the protection they secure, and are charged in stages tied to the process rather than as a single payment. Based on the official fee schedule published on SAIP's "Trademark Registration" service page, the fees break down as follows:
| Item | Fee (SAR) |
|---|---|
| Trademark application filing fee | 1,000 |
| IP Gazette publication fee | 500 |
| Registration and certificate issuance fee | 5,000 |
| Total per class | 6,500 |
Fees increase where the mark is registered under more than one class, or where additional services are required. Renewal and other services — such as assignment, transfer of ownership, or licensing — are subject to separate fees under SAIP's updated tariff. It is always advisable to check the current official fee schedule, or consult a specialist, before starting the process.
Duration of Protection and Renewal
A trademark owner's rights arising from registration last for ten years from the date registration takes effect, as determined under the implementing regulations, and may be renewed for further ten-year terms provided the owner continues to use the mark and renews it on time. A registered trademark serves as legal protection against imitation, counterfeiting, and the use of a confusingly similar mark. Tracking renewal deadlines is therefore an ongoing administrative obligation that cannot be neglected — missing a renewal deadline results in the loss of protection.
International Registration: The Madrid Protocol in Saudi Arabia (2026)
The Kingdom's accession to the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of trademarks marks a significant shift in how trademark owners can protect their marks abroad. Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 8 July 2026, with entry into force for the Kingdom set for 8 October 2026. The Protocol operates on a unified international registration system based on a single international application built on a basic national registration, allowing the trademark owner to designate the member countries in which protection is sought through one procedure and one set of fees calculated for the designated countries — without needing to file separately in each country. This works in both directions: trademark owners registered in Saudi Arabia will be able to seek protection in other member states, and owners of marks registered in member states will be able to designate Saudi Arabia for protection directly through the same international route, once the Protocol takes effect.
This international route works alongside local registration rather than replacing it. Local registration with SAIP remains the foundation on which an international filing is built, and it remains the sole channel for protecting a mark within the Saudi market itself. For companies with regional or international operations, it is now worth building a trademark portfolio strategy that combines local registration with international filing under one plan — something best handled with the guidance of legal specialists in both local and international trademark registration.
Trademark Registration for Foreign Companies
Foreign companies seeking to protect their trademarks in the Saudi market have a clear path: registration with SAIP, either under the original mark or a translated version, through a locally licensed agent or authorized representatives. This requires a certified power of attorney and careful drafting of the mark to avoid conflict with public order or morality, while accounting for the risk of confusion with previously registered marks. Once representation requirements before SAIP are satisfied, the new international option under the Madrid Protocol becomes available to these companies from its entry into force on 8 October 2026, allowing them to designate the Kingdom as a protection destination within a single international filing.
Foreign companies typically pursue trademark registration as part of a broader engagement that includes company or branch formation in the Kingdom, drafting of international commercial contracts, and representation before government and judicial bodies — since trademark protection decisions are usually tied to the wider strategic decision to enter the Saudi market. This is why Nova Legal offers trademark registration for foreign companies alongside its broader legal services for foreign investors, covering company formation, licensing, contracts, and representation.
Why Choose Nova Legal for Your Trademark Registration?
The decision to register a trademark in Saudi Arabia sits between genuine protection of a company's intangible assets and procedural delays that can cost a brand its market standing. Between the prior search, correctly classifying the mark, drafting it to avoid grounds for rejection, responding to SAIP's queries, opposing competing registrations, and tracking renewal deadlines, the process involves fine procedural detail that requires specialized handling. At Nova Legal for Law and Legal Consultancy, we provide an end-to-end trademark registration service, both locally and internationally, covering the prior search, preparing and managing the application before SAIP, following through examination and publication to certificate issuance, opposing counterfeit or competing marks, handling renewals, ownership transfers and licensing, and preparing foreign companies for international filing under the Madrid Protocol once it takes effect — all integrated with our broader intellectual property and franchise legal services.
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Official Sources and References
This article draws on the following official texts and sources, which remain the authoritative reference for the fees and rules cited above. Readers are advised to consult them directly for the latest updates:
- GCC Trademark Law — Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
- Trademark Registration Service — Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) (fees, turnaround time, and official service steps)
- Trademarks Overview — Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)
- Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks — World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Methodological note: the fees referenced in this article reflect the official tariff published on SAIP's "Trademark Registration" service page, and the rules are presented as explanatory summaries drawn from the official texts cited above. Readers should always confirm current figures directly with these sources, or consult the Nova Legal team, before making any decision related to trademark registration, to account for any subsequent updates to fees or regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
How much does trademark registration cost in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
Under SAIP's official fee schedule, trademark registration fees are charged in stages: SAR 1,000 for the application, SAR 500 for publication in the IP Gazette, and SAR 5,000 for registration and certificate issuance — a total of SAR 6,500 per class. Fees vary where multiple classes or additional services are involved.
How long does trademark registration take in Saudi Arabia?
SAIP's official turnaround time for the trademark registration service is 90 days. In practice, the full process through to certificate issuance typically takes around six to twelve months where oppositions, amendment requests, or appeals arise.
Can foreigners and foreign companies register trademarks in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies may register trademarks in Saudi Arabia, provided they own a factory, shop, or business, or carry on a commercial, industrial, or service activity, and that their home country extends reciprocal treatment. Non-residents can register through a locally licensed agent or authorized firm handling the process before SAIP.
How long does trademark protection last in Saudi Arabia?
Trademark protection lasts ten years from the date registration takes effect, and can be renewed for further ten-year terms as long as the owner continues to use the mark and renews it by the required deadline.
What does Saudi Arabia's accession to the Madrid Protocol mean for trademark owners?
Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on 8 July 2026, with entry into force on 8 October 2026. From that date, owners of marks registered in Saudi Arabia can seek protection in other member states through a single international filing, and owners of marks registered in other member states can designate Saudi Arabia for protection through the same route.
Which class should I register under, and why does class conflict lead to rejection?
The Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 classes (34 for goods and 11 for services), and a mark is registered under one or more classes depending on the business's activities. A mark can be rejected or delayed if a previously registered mark exists under the same class that would cause confusion — which is why a prior search and correct classification should always precede filing, saving both time and cost.
Conclusion: Proper Registration Means Lasting Protection
Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia comes down to three connected stages: preparing the mark — confirming it meets the law's requirements, is free of grounds for rejection, and is filed under the correct Nice classification; completing the process — filing and examination through SAIP's unified platform, through publication and certificate issuance; and maintaining protection — tracking renewal every ten years, monitoring the market, and opposing competing marks. With the Kingdom's accession to the Madrid Protocol taking effect on 8 October 2026, a fourth stage now applies: international protection, through a unified filing that extends protection across multiple countries, both from and into the Saudi market. At Nova Legal for Law and Legal Consultancy, we support local and foreign trademark owners through every one of these stages — from the prior search and application through to opposition, renewal, and international filing — so that your trademark becomes a protected asset rather than a name exposed to imitation.
