Saudi Arabia Joins the Madrid System

Saudi Arabia will officially join the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks on 8 October 2026. This significant development will provide Saudi and international businesses with a more streamlined route for protecting and managing trademarks across multiple markets.

Saudi Arabia formally joined the Madrid Protocol on 8 July 2026. Its accession extends the geographical reach of the Madrid System to 133 countries. It also means that five of the six Gulf Cooperation Council Countries Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar are covered by the system, with Kuwait remaining outside it. 

What Does This Mean for International Businesses?

From 8 October 2026, businesses based in other Madrid System member countries will be able to designate Saudi Arabia when filing a new international trademark application. Owners of existing international registrations will also be able to extend their protection to Saudi Arabia through a subsequent designation.

This provides an alternative to filing a separate national trademark application directly with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (“SAIP”). Through the Madrid System, an applicant can seek protection in several selected markets using one international application, one language and a centralized fee and administration process.

For businesses operating internationally, the benefits are not limited to the initial application. Renewals and recordals of certain changes such as changes in ownership, name or address can generally be managed centrally through WIPO. This can reduce duplicated administrative work and make international trademark portfolios easier to monitor and manage.

The system may also reduce the need for local filing formalities and legalized documentation at the initial designation stage. Local counsel may not be required simply to designate Saudi Arabia, although Saudi representation may still be needed if SAIP issues an objection or an opposition or other local proceeding arises.

The Madrid route will not necessarily be the least expensive option in every case, particularly because Saudi Arabia will apply an individual designation fee. Businesses should therefore compare the Madrid and national filing routes based on the number of countries involved, expected fees, commercial priorities and the likelihood of objections.

Supporting Market Entry and Regional Growth

Saudi Arabia’s accession is more than a procedural trademark development. It gives businesses a more flexible way to align trademark protection with market entry, franchising, licensing, distribution and regional expansion plans.

The change will be particularly relevant to exporters, consumer brands, technology companies, e commerce businesses and franchisors seeking access to the Saudi market. Companies can include Saudi Arabia in their international filing strategies from the outset or add it later when commercial plans become more developed.

However, designation through the Madrid System does not result in automatic trademark protection. SAIP will continue to examine each designation under applicable Saudi trademark law. Saudi Arabia has declared that SAIP may take up to 18 months to notify WIPO of a provisional refusal, while refusals arising from an opposition may, in certain circumstances, be notified after that period.

Opportunities for Saudi Businesses

Saudi businesses will also benefit from the new system. An eligible Saudi applicant will be able to use a Saudi national trademark application or registration as the basis for an international application and seek protection in selected Madrid System member countries.

This can help Saudi businesses develop international trademark portfolios in line with their export and growth strategies. Companies may initially select their priority markets and subsequently add other member countries as their commercial footprint expands.

Applicants should nevertheless be aware that an international registration remains dependent on its underlying national application or registration for the first five years. Any cancellation, refusal or restriction affecting the basic Saudi mark during this period may also affect the international registration

Practical Next Steps