How the SME Fund Can Reduce Trademark Fees in Estonia

Short answer: the Estonian Patent Office lists a filing fee of €145 for one class. Under the 2026 SME Fund rules, an eligible SME that received Voucher 2 could claim 75% of eligible national or EU trade mark fees, subject to a €700 maximum per SME. On that one-class example, €108.75 could be reimbursed, leaving €36.25 of the official Estonian filing fee as the net cost.

This is a reimbursement example, not an instant discount. The applicant first pays the relevant official fee, follows the voucher rules and submits the reimbursement request. The fee comparison below excludes professional assistance and any other costs.

Estonia national trade mark or EU trade mark?

A national application filed with the Estonian Patent Office (Patendiamet) is for protection in Estonia. An EU trade mark application filed with EUIPO is a unitary right covering the European Union, including Estonia. The EUIPO application fee is an EU-level fee, not an Estonian state fee.

Choose based on where you need protection. The lower Estonian fee does not give EU-wide coverage, while one EU trade mark application can cover all EU Member States. An EU trade mark also faces earlier-rights issues across the EU, so wider territory is not automatically the best choice for every business.

Official fee comparison: before and after the 2026 reimbursement example

For an individual online EU trade mark, EUIPO charges €850 for one class, €50 for the second, then €150 for each additional class. Estonia charges €145 for one class and €45 for each additional class. The “after” figures below assume the full 75% 2026 reimbursement applies and the voucher is awarded and used correctly.

Fee sources: Estonian Patent Office fee table and EUIPO fees and payments. The 2026 reimbursement rate and cap are described on the official SME Fund 2026 page and its FAQ.

Which Estonian companies may qualify?

The scheme is not limited to a particular Estonian legal form. An Estonian OÜ, another company or an eligible business may apply if it is established in the EU and meets the SME definition and the specific call requirements. A new Estonian company may qualify too; incorporation in Estonia alone does not guarantee a voucher.

For the EU definition, a medium-sized enterprise has fewer than 250 employees and annual turnover of no more than €50 million or a balance-sheet total of no more than €43 million. Smaller thresholds apply to micro and small enterprises. If the business has partner or linked companies, their figures may also need to be included when checking SME status. Use the European Commission SME definition and the current call documents to assess eligibility.

EUIPO’s 2026 guidance says an application may be submitted by the business owner, an authorised employee or an authorised external representative. When using an external representative, the required declaration on honour must be completed. Any reimbursement is paid to the SME’s bank account, not to the representative.

How to file in Estonia

1. Choose the territory: Estonia only or the whole EU.
2. Identify the goods and services and the correct Nice classes. The Estonian Patent Office says the national application must be filed in Estonian.
3. Review similar earlier marks before filing. Search TMview and the relevant registers.
4. For a national filing, use the Patent Office’s e-services portal. See its forms and filing guidance.
5. If applying for a future SME Fund voucher, follow that year’s official timetable and do not start an activity before the grant decision if the call requires prior approval.

More official Estonia resources: fees, trade mark FAQ, and how to protect a trade mark.

Is Voucher 2 available now? What about 2027?

As of 22 October 2026, EUIPO reports that Voucher 2 for trade marks and designs is unavailable for new applications because the funds have been exhausted. The rates above explain the published 2026 rules; they are not a promise that you can apply today or that the same terms will return. EUIPO has not yet published confirmed 2027 terms in the sources linked here. Check the official page for an update before making a decision.

For a plain-language overview of the scheme, read What Is the SME Fund Programme? You can also browse our Resources or ask us about preparing an EU trade mark application.

This article is general information, not legal or grant advice. The annual SME Fund call can change, and EUIPO makes the grant and reimbursement decisions. Eesti Consulting is an independent service provider and is not EUIPO or the European Commission.