New fees from 1 April 2026 for designs, trade marks and patents
Following the announcement of fee increases from 1 April 2026, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published business guidance to help customers with fees due around the transition date.
The guidance explains the fee changes and when they apply, covering
- why new fees are being introduced
- tables showing the fee changes
- situations where the old fee may still apply
- details on application fees
- details on renewal fees
As a reminder, fees have not increased since 2018 for patents, 2016 for designs, and 1998 for trade marks. The 25% average increase addresses 32% inflation since 2016 and supports continued investment in IPO systems and services.
The IPO has also updated payment information, including terms and conditions for deposit account holders. The guidance will be updated as the implementation date approaches, and customers can sign up to receive email notifications of any changes.
Read the IPO’s guide on fee changes.
If you have any questions, you can email the IPO at [email protected].
First published 2 February 2026
