Saudi Arabia to Join the Madrid System: New Individual Fees Take Effect 8 October 2026

Saudi Arabia has taken a landmark step in its intellectual property framework by formally joining the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks. The Government of Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on 8 July 2026, with the Protocol entering into force for the Kingdom on 8 October 2026.  (Turklegal)

As part of this accession, Saudi Arabia has declared that it will collect individual fees under Article 8(7)(a) of the Madrid Protocol, rather than participating in the standard distribution of supplementary and complementary fees. This means that, unlike many Madrid System members that charge a flat standard fee, Saudi Arabia has set its own fee schedule for international applications, designations, and renewals covering the Kingdom.  (Turklegal)

The New Fee Structure

Effective 8 October 2026, the following individual fees will apply to Saudi Arabia designations:

• International applications and subsequent designations: CHF 1,397 per class of goods or services
• Collective or certification marks: CHF 1,719 per class
• Renewal of an international registration: CHF 1,397 per class of goods or services
• Renewal during the grace period: CHF 1,612 per class

These figures are notably higher than the standard Madrid System fees applicable in many other jurisdictions, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the fee-setting members of the Protocol under Article 8(7)(a).

Why This Matters

Saudi Arabia’s accession is particularly significant for businesses operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as it is one of the largest economies in the Middle East and an increasingly important destination for international investment. The move brings two-way benefits:

For Saudi trademark holders: Brand owners based in the Kingdom will, for the first time, be able to seek protection across up to 133 Madrid System members through a single international application, filed in one language and paid for in one currency — rather than pursuing separate national filings in each target market.

For foreign trademark owners: Businesses holding international registrations, or filing new ones, will be able to designate Saudi Arabia directly within their Madrid applications, offering a streamlined route into the Saudi market without the need for a separate national filing through the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).

Practical Considerations

A few procedural points are worth noting for applicants and rights holders planning to use the Madrid route into Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia has notified WIPO that its national trademark legislation does not provide for the division or merger of international registrations, meaning SAIP will not transmit such requests to WIPO. Businesses with complex portfolios should factor this into their filing strategy from the outset.

Given the relatively high individual fee per class, applicants should carefully assess the number of classes designated for Saudi Arabia to manage costs effectively.

The grace period renewal fee (CHF 1,612 per class) represents a meaningful premium over timely renewal, underscoring the importance of calendaring renewal deadlines carefully.

Looking Ahead

Saudi Arabia’s accession reflects the Kingdom’s broader push to modernize its IP infrastructure in line with Vision 2030 and its ambitions to become a regional hub for innovation and investment.