Filing a Trademark with the DPMA: Process, Portals and Fees
DPMAdirektWeb, DPMAdirektPro, or DPMAregister — which is which, and what does filing actually cost?
Founder & Developer of markencheck.ai
Published September 2, 2026
DPMAregister is not a filing portal, it's the German Patent and Trademark Office's free register search — if you actually want to file a trademark, you need DPMAdirektWeb or DPMAdirektPro instead. DPMAdirektWeb is the browser-based, signature-free option directly at the DPMA: no software download, no signature card required, you file through a few guided steps. DPMAdirektPro is downloadable client software aimed at frequent filers and representatives, and requires a qualified electronic signature card. Electronic filing costs 290 euros for up to three classes, paper filing 300 euros. This guide compares the three portals, walks through the actual DPMAdirektWeb process, and covers every official fee at a glance.
DPMAdirektWeb, DPMAdirektPro, DPMAregister — what's the difference?
All three names sound similar but do completely different things. This mix-up is one of the most common stumbling blocks for a first-time filer:
| DPMAdirektWeb | DPMAdirektPro | DPMAregister | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Filing | Filing | Search (no filing possible) |
| Access | Browser, no download | Downloadable software | Browser |
| Signature required | No | Yes, qualified signature card | Not applicable |
| Target audience | Individual filers, founders | Frequent filers, representatives, law firms | Anyone searching the register |
| Cost | Free, only official fees apply | Free, only official fees apply | Free |
How filing via DPMAdirektWeb actually works
Filing runs through eight guided steps, with a progress indicator showing which sections you've already completed: 1. Start the application — directly in the browser, no prior software download. 2. Enter personal details (applicant, contact information). 3. Choose the mark type (word mark, figurative mark, word-figurative mark, or another mark type). 4. Upload or enter the mark's representation. 5. Specify the goods and services classes (Nice Classification). 6. Review the summary — all entries are displayed once more for a final check. 7. Pay the fee. 8. Submit bindingly — only this final step officially files the application. The DPMA does not state a fixed timeframe for regular examination, only noting recently longer processing times. A guaranteed timeframe exists only for accelerated examination, see below.
What does filing a trademark with the DPMA cost?
The official fees are set by law in the fee schedule to the Patent Cost Act (PatKostG):
| Item | Fee | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic filing (up to 3 classes) | 290 euros | PatKostG Annex, item 331 000 |
| Paper filing (up to 3 classes) | 300 euros | PatKostG Annex, item 331 100 |
| Each additional class from the 4th | 100 euros | PatKostG Annex, item 331 300 |
| Accelerated examination (Section 38 MarkenG) | 200 euros | PatKostG Annex, item 331 500 |
What does the DPMA examine — and what not?
The DPMA examines every application ex officio for absolute grounds for refusal under Section 8 MarkenG — for example, whether the mark lacks the necessary distinctiveness or is purely descriptive. What the office explicitly does not check is whether earlier third-party rights might conflict with your mark. The DPMA states this plainly itself: applicants should check this themselves beforehand. That's exactly why a search before filing makes sense, not because the DPMA requires it, but because without your own preliminary check, an older, similar mark could later trigger an opposition. For more on that risk and how an opposition proceeding works, see our guide to trademark opposition.
What this guide doesn't replace
This guide explains how the official DPMA filing process works, it does not file on your behalf and is not legal advice. You file the application yourself via DPMAdirektWeb, or you authorize an eligible person or representative to do so for you. For more complex cases, such as choosing the right mark type, disputed distinctiveness, or specific class questions, a specialized trademark attorney belongs at the table. Before you even get to filing, it pays to look at the stage before it: searching your trademark before you file with the DPMA significantly lowers the risk of a later opposition. To see how these filing fees fit into your overall budget, take a look at our overview of trademark search costs. For the current EU-wide fees at the EUIPO, see EU trademark fees 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DPMAregister the same as DPMAdirektWeb?
No. DPMAregister is the free search of the official trademark register, you cannot file a trademark there. For filing itself, you need DPMAdirektWeb or DPMAdirektPro. This mix-up is one of the most common mistakes when first looking for the right portal.
What does filing a trademark with the DPMA cost?
Electronic filing via DPMAdirektWeb or DPMAdirektPro costs 290 euros for up to three Nice classes, paper filing costs 300 euros. Each additional class from the fourth costs an extra 100 euros (PatKostG, fee schedule items 331 000/331 100/331 300).
Do I need a signature card to file?
Only for DPMAdirektPro. DPMAdirektWeb works entirely in the browser, with no signature card or software download required — the simpler option for most individual filers and founders.
How long does DPMA trademark filing take?
For regular examination, the DPMA does not state a fixed processing time, only noting recently longer processing periods. If you need a guaranteed deadline, you can request accelerated examination under Section 38 MarkenG for a 200-euro fee — the office then guarantees a decision within 6 months.
Does the DPMA check whether my mark conflicts with an older one?
No. The DPMA only examines absolute grounds for refusal, such as lack of distinctiveness, and explicitly states it does not check for conflicting earlier third-party rights. According to the DPMA, applicants should check this themselves beforehand, otherwise an opposition may follow later.
What markencheck.ai does differently
AI score instead of a plain hit list — see instantly how similar a mark really is
Phonetically and visually similar marks are ranked by relevance, with class and goods/services overlap
Goods & services descriptions are factored into the AI analysis
Structured overview in seconds — instead of hours of manual searching
Related Guides
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