From 8 October 2026, Saudi Arabia will officially become part of the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks, marking an important development for both Saudi and international brand owners.

Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on 8 July 2026. The Protocol enters into force for the Kingdom on 8 October 2026, opening a new route for businesses seeking international trademark protection.

What Changes from 8 October 2026?

From the effective date, trademark owners in Saudi Arabia will be able to use the Madrid System to seek protection for their marks across other member jurisdictions through a single international application.

Likewise, trademark owners from other Madrid System members will be able to designate Saudi Arabia when filing an international trademark application. Existing holders of international registrations will also be able to subsequently extend their protection to Saudi Arabia.

This provides businesses with a more centralised route for managing international trademark portfolios, using a single international registration system administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Saudi Arabia’s Individual Trademark Fees

Saudi Arabia has elected to apply individual fees under Article 8(7)(a) of the Madrid Protocol. Accordingly, the following fees will apply from 8 October 2026:

• 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.
• Renewal during the grace period: CHF 1,612 per class.

The fee structure is particularly relevant for businesses seeking protection across several classes, as the applicable individual fee is calculated on a per-class basis.

What Does This Mean for Businesses?

For Saudi trademark owners, accession creates a more streamlined mechanism for seeking trademark protection internationally without having to pursue entirely separate applications in each target jurisdiction.

For international businesses, Saudi Arabia can now be incorporated into a wider Madrid System filing strategy, making it easier to include the Kingdom within an international trademark portfolio.

However, businesses should consider the applicable individual fees when deciding their filing strategy, particularly where protection is sought across multiple classes.

A Significant Step for Saudi Arabia’s IP Framework

The implementation of the Madrid Protocol represents another significant development in Saudi Arabia’s evolving intellectual property framework.

From 8 October 2026, the change moves from accession to implementation: businesses will be able to make practical use of the Madrid System to seek international trademark protection from Saudi Arabia or extend existing international protection into the Kingdom.

For businesses operating in or planning to enter the Saudi market, the development provides an important new option when structuring regional and international trademark protection strategies.

Looking Ahead

With the Madrid Protocol taking effect in Saudi Arabia on 8 October 2026, businesses and trademark owners will have a new route for securing and managing trademark protection internationally.

The development strengthens Saudi Arabia’s integration into the global intellectual property framework and provides both Saudi and international businesses with greater flexibility when planning their trademark portfolios.

For businesses with existing or planned operations in Saudi Arabia, now is an appropriate time to review trademark portfolios and consider whether the Madrid System should form part of their wider brand protection strategy.

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