UKIPO Fee Increases Effective April 1, 2026: What Patent Owners Need to Know

On 1 April 2026, the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has announced a substantial increase in official fees, including patent annuity (renewal) fees, subject to Parliamentary approval. While the final legislative confirmation is expected imminently, many accounts with deadlines in April and May 2026 have already been processed at the new rates. A formal UKIPO announcement with further guidance is anticipated once Parliamentary approval is confirmed.

This marks the first meaningful adjustment in patent fees since 2018. Design fees have not risen since 2016, and trademark fees have been unchanged since 1998. Over that period, the UKIPO absorbed rising operational costs by improving efficiency and using reserves, delaying the need for a fee increase. However, with inflation rising more than 30% since 2016, the UKIPO has concluded that fee adjustments are necessary to sustain quality services and to continue investments in modern, digitised systems.

Under the proposals, most patent-related fees will increase significantly. Renewal (annuity) fees — the annual payments required to keep a patent in force — are among the most affected.

Below are approximate ranges for patent annuity costs (before and after the April 2026 increase):

These changes average roughly 29–33% increases in renewal fees, though precise year-by-year figures vary.

Patent annuities can generally be paid up to 3 months in advance. This offers an opportunity to avoid the new, higher rates for fees due in April and May 2026 — including years 9–20 — provided payment is received before 1 April 2026 under current UKIPO rules. Service providers such as CPI are prepared to facilitate early payment for eligible cases. It’s important to note that early payment options incur additional handling fees (e.g., a £55 per-case charge alongside your usual CPI fee), and while UKIPO design and other fees are also increasing, early payment offers may only apply to patent annuity fees in this context.

Under the draft guidance from UKIPO, the old fee rates still apply to renewal fees paid before 1 April 2026, even where the renewal due date falls after that date — as long as payment is received in advance within the permitted window. For example:
Patent renewals due in April or May 2026 can be paid in March 2026 at the old rates.
After 31 March 2026, the new fee schedule applies for payments made on or after that date.

Once the UK Parliament formally approves the changes, expect the UKIPO to publish detailed transition guidelines, including clarifications on grace periods, late fees, and payment channels. Rights holders should use this window proactively to review their portfolios and take advantage of existing rates where possible.

www.optimus-patents.com | Peak Hill House, Steventon, RG25 3AZ