How to register a trademark
in Switzerland.
From choosing a name to protecting it: a practical guide to Swiss trademark registration, grounded in the IPI’s process.
Explore the filing processHow do you register a trademark in Switzerland?
To register a Swiss trademark, file the sign and its list of goods and services with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), then pay the official fees. First assess earlier rights; the IPI does not clear them for you. Registration is followed by publication and a three-month opposition period.
Swiss trademark registration, step by step
Clear the name
Search Swissreg and assess similar earlier marks-not just exact matches. Check the markets you actually plan to enter.
Choose your scope
List precise goods and services in the relevant Nice classes. Your registration is only as useful as the wording you choose.
Apply to IPI
Submit online or in writing, name the applicant, reproduce the mark and pay the filing fee within the deadline.
Use & maintain
After registration, use the mark as registered, monitor the market, and renew it every decade.
Submit through e-trademark, the IPI’s official online filing service.
How much does a Swiss trademark cost?
The official IPI filing fee is CHF 350 for an online application covering up to three classes: CHF 450 less the CHF 100 electronic-filing discount. These are government fees; searches and professional representation are separate.
| Item | Official fee (CHF) |
|---|---|
| Standard filing, up to three classes | 450 |
| Online-filing discount | −100 |
| Online filing, up to three classes | 350 |
| Each class from the fourth | 100 |
| Optional expedited examination, additional fee | 400 |
| Renewal for a further ten years | 550 |
Example: an online application in four classes costs CHF 450 in official filing fees (350 + 100), before any professional fees. The IPI schedule states “status per 1 July 2024”; it remained the published schedule when checked for this guide. IPI fee schedule.
How long does Swiss trademark registration take?
The IPI states that straightforward applications are examined within six working days; other applications are generally examined within two months after fee payment. Examination is not a promise of registration: objections, replies and payment can affect completion.
The separate three-month opposition window runs from publication of the registration. Plan your launch around both examination and potential challenges. IPI examination times.
What makes a filing stronger?
The essential checklist
- A distinctive word, logo or combination
- The right owner named from day one
- Goods and services that reflect the real plan
- A sensible clearance search before launch
- Files and evidence retained for future use
One important distinction
IPI checks whether a mark is registerable in principle. It does not guarantee that no earlier right exists. An earlier owner can still oppose a new registration after publication.
Get filing support →Which classes and filing language should you use?
Choose goods and services that match your intended activities. The Nice Classification has 45 classes, but a class number alone does not define your protection. The list must be in German, French or Italian, not English; it cannot be extended after registration.
Start with what you sell today and what you realistically plan to launch. For example, software downloads and a hosted software service may need different wording. Use the IPI classification tool to check terms, then assess whether that wording covers your business.
IPI guidance on goods and services · Open the classification tool
From application to registration
Application
IPI receives the filing and checks the formal requirements. The filing date can be crucial where competing applications are concerned.
Examination
IPI assesses formalities and absolute grounds-such as whether the mark is descriptive or deceptive. It may invite you to correct a problem.
Publication & opposition
Once registered, the mark is published in Swissreg. Owners of earlier marks have a three-month period to oppose it.
Registration & use
Use the mark for its registered goods and services and retain evidence. Five consecutive years of non-use can expose it to cancellation. The protection term is ten years from filing and can be renewed for further ten-year periods. Use and non-use · Renewal.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees, formalities and timing can change; check the official IPI materials before filing.
Swiss trademark registration: common questions
Can I register a Swiss trademark myself?
If you are domiciled in Switzerland, you may file without a representative. A person or company abroad should arrange Swiss representation as explained in the IPI’s FAQ. A search and a carefully drafted specification remain useful even when you file yourself.
Should I register my name, my logo, or both?
A word mark covers a sign made of characters without a colour claim. A figurative mark covers visual elements; a combined mark includes wording and graphics. Choose the format that reflects what customers recognise, and consider separate applications when the name and logo each matter.
Does a Swiss trademark also cover the EU?
No. Swiss and EU registrations cover different territories. To protect other markets, consider an EU trademark, national filings, or the Madrid System, depending on the countries and your eligibility.
Does registering my company name protect my brand?
A commercial-register entry and a trademark protect different things. Registering a company name does not replace trademark protection for the products or services sold under that name.
Can a descriptive name be registered?
A sign that merely describes the relevant goods or services is generally refused unless an applicable exception is established. Assess distinctiveness before investing in a name; a logo treatment does not automatically solve every protection problem.
Official sources and further help
This guide draws on the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). The linked guidance below is in English. Fees and processing information were checked on 19 October 2026.