Trademark Registration in Albania
Trademark Registration in Albania
Complete step-by-step guide, based on Law No. 52/2025
1. What is a trademark?
Under Article 6 of Law No. 52/2025, a trademark may be any sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from those of another. It may consist of:
- Words, including personal names
- Figurative elements and graphic signs
- Letters and numerals
- Colors or color combinations
- The shape of goods and their packaging
- Sounds
Under Article 7, any natural or legal person, domestic or foreign, may be the owner of a trademark.
By registering your trademark under Article 10, you gain:
- Exclusive right of use (Article 10/1) — only you may legally use that mark in Albania
- Right to prohibit others (Article 10/2) — no one may use an identical or similar sign without your authorization
- Protection against counterfeiting (Article 10/4) — rights over counterfeit goods
- Transferable asset (Articles 21–28) — may be licensed or transferred
2. Types of trademarks
Law No. 52/2025, Article 6, provides protection for various types of signs:
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Word mark | Text only, no graphic styling | “NUTRI1ST” |
| Figurative mark | Logo with graphic elements, colors, styling | Logo with graphic elements |
| Color mark | A color or color combination as a distinctive feature | Characteristic yellow color |
| Shape mark | 3D shape of the product or packaging | Distinctive bottle shape |
| Sound mark | A distinctive sound | Advertising jingle |
| Collective mark | For associations — used by members (Article 71) | Exporters’ association |
| Certification mark | Certifies quality/origin (Article 79) | Quality or origin seal |
3. Classes of goods and services
Under Article 35 of Law No. 52/2025, goods and services are classified according to the Nice International Classification (45 classes in total). Each application must identify goods/services with “sufficient clarity and precision”.
| Class | Fields | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Clothing & footwear | Clothing, shoes, textile products |
| 30 | Food (cereals/baked goods) | Cereals, biscuits, chocolate, snacks |
| 32 | Non-alcoholic beverages | Juices, smoothies, energy drinks, vitamin waters |
| 35 | Marketing & Business services | Advertising, consulting, online marketplace |
| 36 | Financial services & insurance | Accounting, insurance, real estate |
| 42 | Technology & Software | Online platforms, apps, AI services |
| 43 | Hotels & Restaurants | Food, accommodation, hotel services |
| 45 | Legal & professional services | Legal consulting, professional services |
🔗 Nice Classification (WIPO): https://nclpub.wipo.int/enfr/
4. Required documents
Under Article 33, the trademark application must contain:
Mandatory documents (Article 33/1)
- Completed application form — filled in electronically on e-Albania
- Applicant’s identifying data — ID number (natural person) or unique registration number (legal entity)
- List of goods and services — per the Nice Classification, with clarity and precision
- Representation of the mark — image of the logo or sign to be protected
- Payment of the fee — made at BKT bank; payment receipt uploaded to the system
Additional documents (Article 33/2)
- Authorization/Power of attorney — mandatory if applying through a representative; with company seal or notarized
- Priority document — if a priority right is claimed (Article 36)
- Regulations of use — mandatory for collective and certification marks (Articles 72, 80)
5. Official procedure — step by step
The registration procedure under Law No. 52/2025 goes through 6 official phases. The total process usually takes 6–9 months.
The application is filed exclusively online through e-Albania. Under Article 34, the filing date is the date DPPI receives documents meeting Article 33/1 requirements. DPPI immediately issues a filing certificate with the application number (Article 32/3).
DPPI examines without delay whether basic conditions are met. If there are deficiencies, the applicant is notified to remedy them within 2 months (Article 41/1). The deadline may be extended by 2 additional months against payment (Article 41/6).
Within 3 months of the filing date, DPPI examines the completeness of the formal elements under Articles 33/2 and 35. Deficiencies give 2 months for correction (extendable by 2 more months against payment).
Within 3 months, DPPI examines whether the mark meets Article 8 requirements: distinctive character, non-descriptiveness, and no conflict with public interest. The applicant has 2 months (+ 2 additional against payment) to submit observations.
If the mark passes all examinations, DPPI publishes it in the Official Gazette (Article 44). The 3-month opposition period begins (Article 46/1). Third parties may file oppositions based on the relative grounds of Article 9.
If no oppositions are filed (or are rejected), DPPI notifies the applicant to pay the registration fee within 1 month (Article 54/1). After payment, DPPI registers the mark and sends the certificate (Article 54/3).
6. Registration costs
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Individual mark — first class | 7,000 ALL |
| Collective or certification mark — first class | 8,000 ALL |
| Each additional class (second, third, etc.) | 2,500 ALL / class |
| Search report — optional (Article 43) | Additional fee |
| Out-of-turn examination (Article 39/2) | Additional fee |
| 2-month deadline extension (Articles 41/6 or 42/2) | Additional fee |
Individual trademark registration (logo + name) in 3 classes:
Payment is made exclusively at BKT bank. The invoice is available on the e-Albania platform.
7. Grounds for refusal
Law No. 52/2025 provides for two categories of refusal grounds:
Absolute grounds — Article 8
- Lack of distinctive character (Article 8/1/b) — the sign does not distinguish goods/services of one person from those of another
- Descriptive sign (Article 8/1/c) — indicates only the type, quality, geographical origin, etc.
- Generic sign (Article 8/1/ç) — terms that have become common in everyday language
- Against public interest (Article 8/1/dh) — sign contrary to public order or moral values
- Deceptive (Article 8/1/e) — creates confusion about the nature, quality or origin
Relative grounds — Article 9 (may be raised by third parties)
- Identical to an earlier mark (Article 9/1/a) — same as an existing mark for identical goods/services
- Similar to an earlier mark (Article 9/1/b) — risk of confusion for the public
- Damage to a mark with reputation (Article 9/1/c) — unfair advantage from an existing mark’s reputation
- Bad faith application (Article 9/1/ç) — application filed with dishonest intent
8. Validity and renewal
Under Article 56, a trademark is registered for a period of 10 years from the filing date of the application.
Under Article 57, registration may be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods. The renewal request must be filed within 1 year before expiry, with a possible 6-month extension against an additional fee.
9. Right of priority
If you have already filed a trademark application in a state party to the Paris Convention or WTO, you may claim priority within 6 months of the first application (Article 36/1). The date of the first application serves as the priority date in Albania as well (Article 37).
10. Official links
- 🖥 Online application (e-Albania): e-albania.al/ServiceDetails/13401
- 🏛 DPPI — Trademarks: dppi.gov.al/markat-tregtare-dhe-te-sherbimit/
- 📄 Law No. 52/2025 (full text): Download PDF
- 🔍 Nice Classification (WIPO): nclpub.wipo.int/enfr/
Need help with your trademark registration?
The Vision Consulting Albania team provides full advisory services — from identifying the right classes and preparing documentation, to following up the procedure at DPPI under Law No. 52/2025.
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