Trademark Registration in Bulgaria — Procedure and Fees (2026)

Why is trademark registration important?

Trademark registration grants the owner the exclusive right to use the mark for the goods and services for which it is registered. Without registration, you have no effective legal protection against imitators.

• Exclusive right — only you may use the trademark for the registered classes of goods/services in Bulgaria.
• Legal protection — ability to seek judicial protection, customs measures, and compensation claims in case of infringement.
• Value as an asset — the trademark can be licensed, sold, pledged, or contributed to a company's capital.
• Customer trust — a registered trademark (® symbol) builds a professional image and trust.
• Basis for international protection — the Bulgarian registration can serve as a basis for an international application under the Madrid Protocol.

Types of trademarks

The Bulgarian Trademarks and Geographical Indications Act recognizes the following types of trademarks:

• Word marks — consist entirely of words, letters, numbers, or a combination thereof, without graphic design.
• Figurative marks — contain only an image (logo), without word elements.
• Combined marks — combine word and figurative elements. The most common type of registration.
• Three-dimensional marks — the shape of the goods or their packaging, if distinctive (e.g., the Coca-Cola bottle).
• Sound marks — a melody or sound signal, represented by musical notation or an audio file.
• Color marks — a specific color or combination of colors, if they have acquired distinctiveness through use.

The mark must be distinctive — allowing consumers to distinguish the goods/services of one trader from those of another.

Registration procedure — 5 steps

1. Filing an application with the Patent Office

   The application is filed in Bulgarian with the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria. It can be submitted in person, by mail, or online. The application specifies: the mark (image/word element), the classes of goods and services under the Nice Classification, and applicant details.

2. Formal examination

   The Patent Office verifies whether the application meets formal requirements — completeness of documents, correct designation of classes, fees paid. In case of irregularities, a deadline for correction is granted.

3. Distinctiveness examination

   The substantive examination assesses whether the mark is distinctive and does not fall under absolute grounds for refusal (descriptive, generic, misleading signs). A check for conflict with earlier marks is also conducted.

4. Publication in the Official Bulletin and opposition period

   If the mark passes the examination, it is published in the Official Bulletin of the Patent Office. A 2-month opposition period begins, during which third parties may file an opposition against the registration.

5. Registration and issuance of certificate

   If no opposition is filed (or it is rejected), the mark is registered within 14 days after payment of the registration fee. A registration certificate is issued.

Trademark registration fees

Current Patent Office fees for 2026:

When engaging an attorney or industrial property representative, the fee is typically between EUR 300 and EUR 600 additionally.

Timelines and validity

• Overall procedure duration — 12 to 24 months from filing the application to issuance of the certificate. Without opposition, the procedure may conclude faster.
• Validity — 10 years from the date of filing the application.
• Renewal — unlimited number of times, for consecutive 10-year periods. The renewal application is filed in the last year of the protection period or up to 6 months after expiration (with an additional fee).

National vs EU Trademark (EUTM)

When choosing between a national trademark and a European Union trademark (EUTM), it is important to consider the following differences:

Recommendation: If your business operates or plans to operate in several EU countries, the EU trademark is more cost-effective. For a purely domestic business — the national trademark is a faster and more economical option.

Madrid Protocol — international registration

The Madrid System allows international trademark registration in over 130 countries through a single application filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) through the Patent Office.

• Base application — the international registration must be based on a national application or registration in Bulgaria (or an EU trademark).
• 5-year dependency — during the first 5 years, the international registration is linked to the base registration. If the base mark is cancelled or invalidated, the international registration is affected (the so-called "central attack").
• Individual fees — each designated country may charge additional fees. The total cost depends on the number of countries and classes.
• Advantage — one application, one set of fees (in Swiss francs), unified portfolio management.

Trademark protection after registration

Registration is just the beginning. To maintain your rights, active management is needed:

• Monitoring — track new trademark applications to identify potential conflicts in time. The Patent Office does not conduct official monitoring — this is the responsibility of the owner.
• Opposition — if a third party files an application for a similar mark, you have the right to file an opposition within the 2-month period after publication.
• Revocation for non-use — if the mark is not genuinely used for the goods/services for which it is registered for 5 consecutive years, it may be revoked at the request of any interested party.
• Judicial protection — in case of infringement, you can bring a claim for injunction and damages, as well as request customs measures for seizure of goods infringing the mark.

Frequently asked questions