When Indian businesses evaluate Saudi Arabia as a market, trademark cost is often one of the first questions asked—and frequently one of the most misunderstood. Many founders assume Saudi trademark costs will mirror India or the UAE, only to be surprised later by publication fees, class-wise government charges, Arabic filing costs, and post-filing expenses.
In the first article of this series, I explained why Saudi Arabia has become a priority trademark market for Indian brands. In the second, I broke down how the Saudi trademark system operates under SAIP.
In the third, I explained how Indian businesses should approach the Saudi filing process strategically.
This article now addresses the practical commercial question that follows naturally: what does it actually cost to register and maintain a trademark in Saudi Arabia—and how should Indian businesses budget for it?
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Saudi Arabia?
Trademark registration costs in Saudi Arabia include government filing, publication and registration fees charged per class, along with professional fees for filing, prosecution and monitoring. For Indian businesses, total costs typically range higher than India and the UAE, especially when Arabic versions, multiple classes or objections are involved.
Understanding Saudi Arabia’s trademark fee structure
Saudi Arabia follows a class-based fee system, but unlike India, a significant portion of the total cost arises after filing. The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) levies separate government fees for filing, publication and registration, each payable at different stages of the application lifecycle.
This staged fee structure makes Saudi trademark costs feel higher upfront, but it also reflects a system that is faster, more centralised and enforcement-oriented. For Indian businesses planning serious market entry rather than defensive filings, the cost aligns with commercial value.
Government fees payable to SAIP
At the government level, trademark costs in Saudi Arabia broadly include three components. First is the application filing fee, payable per class at the time of filing. Second is the publication fee, payable once the mark is accepted for publication. Third is the registration fee, payable after successful completion of the opposition period.
Because Saudi Arabia treats each class independently, multi-class filings increase costs proportionately. In addition, Arabic versions of trademarks are treated as separate applications, not extensions of the English mark. This means filing both English and Arabic versions doubles government fees—but also significantly strengthens brand control.
From a budgeting perspective, Indian businesses should always calculate Saudi trademark costs on a per-class, per-language basis, rather than assuming a single consolidated fee.
Professional fees and what they actually cover
Professional fees for Saudi trademark filings typically cover pre-filing advisory, clearance review, specification drafting, electronic filing through SAIP, coordination with local agents, and docketing of deadlines. Unlike India, where filings can sometimes be handled with minimal involvement, Saudi Arabia requires close procedural compliance and local representation at every stage.
Professional fees increase if objections are raised or oppositions are filed. Responding to Saudi trademark objections often involves legal reasoning, Arabic language assessment and evidence preparation, which goes beyond routine prosecution work. For Indian businesses, this makes cost predictability closely linked to filing quality and pre-filing diligence.
Cost impact of objections, oppositions and Arabic filings
One of the biggest cost variables in Saudi trademark registration is whether the application faces objections or opposition. Poorly drafted specifications, ignored Arabic meaning issues or delayed filings after distributor appointments often trigger disputes that significantly increase professional fees.
Arabic filings, while increasing initial cost, often reduce long-term risk and expense. Many Indian businesses that skip Arabic filings initially end up spending far more later in opposition proceedings or settlement negotiations when third parties register Arabic equivalents first.
From a cost-control perspective, filing correctly once is almost always cheaper than fixing mistakes later.
How Saudi trademark costs compare with India and the UAE
Compared to India, Saudi Arabia is unquestionably more expensive on a per-application basis. India’s government fees are lower, but examination timelines are longer and enforcement outcomes less predictable. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, charges higher fees but offers faster processing, stronger enforcement tools and greater commercial leverage.
When compared with the UAE, Saudi trademark costs are broadly comparable, though Saudi Arabia often works out slightly higher due to publication and registration fee structures. However, Saudi Arabia’s larger consumer market and stronger distributor-driven enforcement environment often justify the additional spend for Indian brands with serious commercial intent.
Cost comparisons should therefore be made not only on filing fees, but on market size, enforcement strength and brand control outcomes.
Budgeting correctly for Indian businesses
Indian businesses entering Saudi Arabia should budget for trademark costs as a strategic investment, not a compliance expense. Proper budgeting should factor in the number of classes required, whether Arabic versions will be filed, and the likelihood of objections or oppositions based on market entry strategy.
Businesses planning phased Middle East expansion often treat Saudi Arabia as a long-term anchor market, with trademark filings structured to support licensing, franchising and distributor negotiations. In such cases, higher upfront costs frequently translate into stronger long-term returns.
Closing perspective
Saudi Arabia is not the cheapest jurisdiction for trademark registration, but it is one of the most commercially meaningful. For Indian businesses, the real cost question is not how much a Saudi trademark costs, but how expensive it becomes when trademark protection is delayed, incomplete or poorly structured. When approached with clarity and planning, Saudi trademark costs align closely with the market opportunity the Kingdom offers.
FAQs
1. Are Saudi trademark registration costs payable upfront in one go?
No. Saudi trademark costs are payable in stages. Filing fees are paid at the time of application, publication fees are paid once the mark is accepted, and registration fees are paid after successful completion of the opposition period. This staged payment structure means Indian businesses must plan cash flow across the application lifecycle rather than budgeting a single lump sum.
2. Does filing in multiple classes significantly increase cost in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Saudi Arabia follows a strict per-class fee model. Each additional class attracts separate filing, publication and registration fees. Indian businesses should therefore avoid over-filing and instead choose classes that reflect actual commercial activity in Saudi Arabia. Strategic class selection helps control costs without weakening protection.
3. Is filing an Arabic version of the trademark mandatory, and does it increase cost?
Arabic filing is not legally mandatory, but it is commercially critical in most cases. Filing an Arabic version does increase cost because it is treated as a separate application. However, for consumer-facing Indian brands, the cost of Arabic filing is often far lower than the potential cost of disputes if a third party registers the Arabic equivalent first.
4. How do Saudi trademark costs compare to filing through the Madrid Protocol?
Madrid Protocol filings may appear cost-effective initially, but refusals in Saudi Arabia often require local prosecution anyway, increasing overall expense. For Indian businesses prioritising Saudi Arabia as a core market, direct national filing frequently offers better cost predictability and faster outcomes, despite higher initial government fees.
5. Can trademark costs in Saudi Arabia be reduced through planning?
Absolutely. Costs can be optimised by conducting proper clearance searches, selecting precise specifications, filing before distributor appointments, and addressing Arabic branding upfront. Most cost overruns occur due to objections, oppositions or corrective filings that could have been avoided with better planning.
About the Author
Prashant Kumar is a Company Secretary and Partner at Eclectic Legal, advising Indian and international businesses on Saudi Arabia trademark filings, Arabic brand protection, distributor-linked IP risks, and Middle East brand expansion strategy. He works closely with founders, exporters, and in-house legal teams to structure trademark portfolios that align with SAIP requirements and commercial realities in the Kingdom.
He can be reached for consultations on Saudi Arabia trademark strategy, filings and enforcement at:
+91-9821008011 | prashant@eclecticlegal.com
