How to Register a Trademark in Turkey? 2026 Complete Guide

A business's name, logo, or slogan is one of its most valuable assets. The only legal way to protect that value is through trademark registration. In this guide, we explain how to register a trademark in Turkey, how long the process takes, what the 2026 fees are, and what to watch out for before filing.

What Is Trademark Registration?

Trademark registration is the official recording of a word, logo, slogan, shape, or combination thereof in the name of its owner at the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT), placing it under legal protection. Registration is governed by Industrial Property Law No. 6769 and grants the owner the exclusive right to use the mark in the chosen goods/service classes.

An unregistered mark can still be used in practice, but this use carries very limited and difficult-to-prove protection. As long as a trademark is not registered, someone else may register the same or a similar name — in which case the original user could even lose the right to use their own brand.

Why Should You Register a Trademark?

• Legal protection: You gain the right to sue, claim damages, and seek injunctions against unauthorized users.
• Exclusive right of use: Only you may use the mark in the registered classes.
• Transferability: A trademark can be sold, inherited, or licensed.
• Commercial trust and value: A registered trademark builds credibility with investors and partners and appears as an intangible asset in company valuations.
• E-commerce platform requirements: Opening a branded store on platforms like Trendyol, Hepsiburada, or Amazon and obtaining a .com.tr domain often requires a registration certificate.
• Government incentives: Some KOSGEB grants and tender specifications require trademark registration as a prerequisite.

Before Filing: What to Do

1. Trademark Search

The most critical step before filing is a trademark search. The TÜRKPATENT database is checked for marks identical or confusingly similar to your proposed name or logo — not only in terms of exact wording, but also phonetic, visual, and conceptual similarity. Skipping this step can lead to a months-long application being refused due to an opposition, with the filing fee forfeited.

2. Determine the Type of Mark

A trademark may be registered as a word, a figurative element/logo, a word+figurative combination, a sound, or a three-dimensional sign. Applications including visuals must meet TÜRKPATENT's technical requirements for image size and format.

3. Distinctiveness Check

A trademark must not directly describe the product or service, be generic, or be purely descriptive. For example, the word "Software" alone cannot be registered for a software company; it must be combined with a distinctive element.

Trademark Classes (Nice Classification)

Trademark protection applies only to the goods and service classes selected in the application — registering a trademark does not automatically provide protection in every field. The internationally recognized Nice Classification system divides all goods and services into 45 classes:

• Classes 1–34: Physical goods (food, textiles, cosmetics, machinery, etc.)
• Classes 35–45: Services (retail, advertising, finance, education, legal, healthcare, etc.)

For example, an e-commerce brand should select both the class covering its products (e.g., Class 25 for clothing) and Class 35 for online retail services. Incorrect or incomplete class selection leaves the mark unprotected in some areas of activity. Choosing the right classes is one of the areas where working with a trademark attorney makes the biggest difference.

Step-by-Step Trademark Application Process

1. Determine the applicant: The application can be filed in the name of a natural person or legal entity (company). Company applications make transfers easier.
2. Preliminary search: A similarity search in the TÜRKPATENT database.
3. Class selection: Identify the goods and service classes to be protected under the Nice Classification.
4. Prepare and submit the application: Filed online through TÜRKPATENT's EPATS system using an e-Government password or mobile signature. The trademark specimen, applicant details, and goods/services list must be complete.
5. Formal examination (1–2 months): TÜRKPATENT checks that the application meets procedural requirements.
6. Substantive examination: The mark is evaluated for absolute grounds for refusal (distinctiveness, public order, conflict with earlier marks, etc.).
7. Publication and opposition period (2 months): If approved, the application is published in the Official Trademark Bulletin. Third parties may file oppositions during this period.
8. Issuance of the registration certificate: If no opposition is filed — or if all oppositions are rejected — the registration fee is paid and the certificate is issued. Your trademark is then protected for 10 years.

How Long Does Trademark Registration Take?

For applications with no opposition, the process is typically completed in 6–8 months. If an opposition is filed, the timeline can extend to 1.5–2 years. A thorough preliminary search is therefore key to both speeding up the process and reducing the risk of refusal.

2026 Trademark Registration Fees

TÜRKPATENT fees are updated annually based on the revaluation rate. The official fees for 2026 are as follows:

• Single-class application fee: TRY 2,820
• Additional fee for second class: TRY 2,820
• Additional fee for each class from the third onwards: TRY 3,150
• Registration certificate fee (fixed, regardless of number of classes): TRY 7,010

Example: The total official fee for a single-class application is approximately TRY 9,830 (TRY 2,820 application + TRY 7,010 certificate). A three-class application totals approximately TRY 15,800 in official fees. Trademark attorney service fees are not included. Current fees change annually, so it is advisable to verify on TÜRKPATENT's official fee schedule before filing.

What Happens If You Don't Register Your Trademark?

• Registration in the trade registry or tax office does not create a registered trademark right at TÜRKPATENT.
• Someone else may register the same or similar name, potentially stripping you of the right to use your own brand name.
• Taking legal action against counterfeit goods and unfair competition becomes far more difficult, sometimes impossible.
• You may be unable to meet trademark registration requirements for .com.tr domains, certain e-commerce platforms, or government incentives.

Why Work with a Trademark Attorney?

Trademark registration can be done individually, but the process requires technical knowledge in legal terminology, correct class selection, and opposition management. A significant portion of applications in Turkey are refused or opposed due to incorrect class selection, inadequate preliminary searches, or formal errors. Working with an experienced trademark attorney:

• Reduces the risk of opposition and refusal through a comprehensive preliminary search,
• Strengthens your protection by selecting the correct Nice classes,
• Saves time by managing the entire process from start to finish,
• Manages the defense and opposition process if a challenge is filed.

If you would like to complete your trademark registration professionally and efficiently, Elçi Patent is here to support you from the preliminary search through to delivery of your registration certificate. Contact us to request a free initial evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to own a company to register a trademark?

No. You do not need a company to register a trademark; natural persons can also apply. Having an address in Turkey is sufficient.

How long is trademark registration valid?

Trademark registration is valid for 10 years. Protection can be extended indefinitely by filing a renewal application at the end of each term.

Is Turkish trademark registration valid outside Turkey?

No. Registration at TÜRKPATENT provides protection only within Turkey's borders. For international protection, an application must be filed under the Madrid Protocol.

What happens if a trademark application is refused?

You may appeal the refusal or modify the mark and re-apply. Final refusals can be challenged before TÜRKPATENT's Re-examination and Evaluation Board (YİDK) or through cancellation proceedings.

Are trademark fees refundable?

No. The official fees paid to TÜRKPATENT are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. This is why a thorough preliminary search before filing is so important.

Is logo registration the same as trademark registration?

Logo registration is a type of trademark registration. A word, a logo, or a word+logo combination can each be registered separately, with a separate application required for each.