EU Design Renewal Fees Increase: What the 2025 Changes Mean for Rights Holders

The European Union is rolling out its biggest design protection update in more than two decades. On 1 May 2025, the European Union Design Regulation (EUDR) comes into effect, bringing changes that will significantly impact how design rights are filed, renewed, and managed.

One of the most important developments in this reform is the EU design renewal fees increase — with higher costs coming into effect across all renewal stages. For rights holders, this marks more than a pricing shift; it’s a strategic prompt to reassess portfolios, timelines, and long-term IP planning.

What’s Changing in the EU Design Renewal System?

While the reform includes digital upgrades and procedural adjustments, the headline change is clear: renewal fees for EU designs are rising sharply.

Where the Increases Are Focused

This fee increase is especially steep in the later stages of the 25-year design lifecycle:

The sharpest increases come in the third and fourth renewals, clearly incentivizing rights holders to be more selective about which designs they maintain long-term.

Additional Key Updates Beyond the Fee Increase

• Simplified filing structure
  A flat €350 fee for the first design, plus €125 per additional (up to 50). Designs no longer need to be grouped by Locarno class.

• Procedural changes to renewal timing
  Renewal fees are now due on the expiry date of a design, rather than the end of the month. The six-month grace period also starts from the expiry date, aligning with EU trade mark rules.

• Modernized protection scope
  The definition of “design” has expanded to include digital, animated, and transitional elements, reflecting how modern products are designed and experienced.

For full details, visit the official EUIPO announcement:
https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/design-renewals-following-the-eu-design-reform-what-to-know

What the EU Design Renewal Fees Increase Signals

Beyond cost, this reform reflects a directional shift in the EU’s approach to design rights.

By introducing a steeper fee curve, the EU is encouraging rights holders to focus on actively used and strategically valuable designs. Passive design registrations that sit untouched for 15–20 years will now come with a far higher price tag.

This mirrors broader trends in IP strategy, where rights are being treated less as blanket protection and more as targeted business assets.

Can You Renew EU Designs Early to Avoid the Fee Increase?

Yes — but only in a narrow window.

Under current EUIPO rules, designs can be renewed up to six months before their expiry date. This means only designs expiring on or before 30 October 2025 are eligible to be renewed under the current, lower fee structure.

Designs with later expiration dates will automatically fall under the new, higher renewal fees after the May deadline.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 EU design renewal fees increase is a call to action. Whether you’re managing your own portfolio or advising clients, now is the time to:

• Audit existing designs

• Check renewal timelines

• Align renewal decisions with business goals

Design rights are evolving along with the products they protect — and a proactive strategy now could mean significant cost savings and better portfolio focus later.

If you’re navigating the upcoming fee increase, it’s worth planning ahead.