Saudi Arabia Joins the Madrid Protocol

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Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Madrid Protocol took effect on 8 October 2026. Brand owners can now designate Saudi Arabia in international applications based on a Turkish application or registration, and add the Kingdom to existing international registrations through a subsequent designation.

With this step, five of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are now part of the Madrid System.

Key points for applicants:

• Individual fee: Designating Saudi Arabia costs CHF 1,397 per class, in addition to the WIPO basic fee and any other designation fees. Renewals are also CHF 1,397 per class.
• 18-month refusal period: The Saudi office examines each designation under national law and may notify a refusal within 18 months. Refusals based on oppositions may be notified after that period.
• Dependency: For the first five years, the international registration depends on the basic mark.
• Existing national registrations: Saudi national registrations remain in force. Even where Saudi Arabia is designated through Madrid, owners are advised to keep renewing their national registrations, as letting them lapse may mean losing the benefit of the earlier filing date.

For multi-class filings, the Madrid route is not always the more economical option. Brand owners planning protection in Saudi Arabia should compare a national filing with a Madrid designation in terms of both cost and risk.