Is now the right time to file your EU trade mark?
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has just recorded its busiest year since it was established in 1996, receiving 327,735 applications for European Union trade marks (EUTMs) and European Union designs (EUDs) in 2025. That is a 7.8% increase over 2024 and a new record that surpasses the previous high set in 2021, a clear signal of sustained global confidence in the EU’s intellectual property system.
This article breaks down the 2025 EUIPO filing figures, what is driving the growth, and what it means for businesses planning to protect their brand in the European Union.
What Did the EUIPO Report for 2025?
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) recorded its busiest year since its establishment in 1996, receiving 327,735 applications for European Union trade marks (EUTMs) and European Union designs (EUDs) in 2025, a 7.8% increase over 2024 and a new all-time high exceeding the previous record set in 2021.
The result reflects sustained confidence in the European Union’s intellectual property protection system among both domestic and international applicants.
How Many EU Trade Mark Applications Were Filed in 2025?
Trade marks remained the principal driver of this growth. The Office received 196,886 EUTM applications, marking a 9.1% year-on-year increase. This makes trade mark filings the single largest contributor to the record overall figure, ahead of design applications.
Who Is Filing EU Trade Marks and Designs?
Businesses established within the European Union continued to account for the majority of filings, representing more than 57.5% of all applications. Overseas interest, however, also remained strong:
- China recorded the highest growth among non-EU applicants, contributing nearly 16% of all trade mark filings.
- The United States followed as the next largest source of overseas filings.
- The United Kingdom also ranked among the top non-EU filing countries.
These figures underscore the attractiveness of the EUTM system as a single registration mechanism for businesses seeking protection across the entire EU market through one application.
Which Industries Are Driving EUTM Filing Growth?
The sectors generating the highest number of applications point to broader commercial and technological trends. Businesses operating in the following areas continued to seek brand protection in 2025:
- Advertising and business management.
- Technology services.
- Electrical equipment.
- Education.
- Sporting activities.
- Apparel.
These developments illustrate the expanding role of the EUIPO in the global intellectual property landscape and reflect increasing reliance on the European Union’s IP systems by businesses operating across diverse sectors and jurisdictions.
Why Are Businesses Choosing the EUTM System?
A single EUTM application provides trade mark protection across all EU member states, making it a cost-effective and administratively simpler alternative to filing separately in each country. For businesses expanding into or trading across the European market, this single-registration mechanism reduces both the cost and complexity of securing brand protection at scale.
What Does the Record EUIPO Filing Volume Mean for Your Business?
The record 2025 filing volume signals growing competition for distinctive brand names, logos, and designs within the EU market. Businesses that delay filing risk finding that similar marks have already been registered, particularly in fast-growing sectors such as technology services and advertising. Early filing, backed by a proper clearance search, remains the most reliable way to secure a strong trade mark position in the EU.
Key Takeaways
- EUIPO received a record 327,735 EUTM and design applications in 2025, up 7.8% from 2024.
- EUTM applications alone reached 196,886, a 9.1% year-on-year increase.
- EU-based businesses filed the majority of applications, but China, the US, and the UK were the leading non-EU filers.
- Advertising, technology services, electrical equipment, education, sporting activities, and apparel were the top filing sectors.
- The EUTM system offers single-application protection across all EU member states.
Conclusion
The EUIPO’s record-breaking 2025 filing figures confirm that the EU trade mark and design system continues to attract strong demand from businesses inside and outside the European Union. As competition for brand names and designs intensifies, particularly in fast-growing sectors, businesses planning to enter or expand within the EU market should treat trade mark protection as an early priority rather than an afterthought.
How Can Legacy Partners Help?
With over 15 years of experience serving clients in 190+ countries, Legacy Partners helps businesses register and protect their trade marks and designs across the European Union and beyond. Contact our IP team today for a consultation. info@legacypartners.global
