If you're doing business in Greece — or planning to — securing a trademark isn’t just smart, it’s foundational. In today’s global economy, registering a trademark in Greece gives your brand legal teeth. It’s your official shield against copycats, confusion in the market, and reputation erosion. For foreign entrepreneurs, it also legitimizes your brand’s presence on Greek soil and provides a gateway to stronger legal footing across the European Union.
What we’re talking about here isn’t just a logo or name. A trademark is a legal asset — an identifiable sign that sets your goods or services apart. And until it's officially registered, you’re playing defense with no armor. Greek trademark law, like most modern systems, grants exclusive rights only after proper registration. That means once you're listed in the national registry, no one else can use your mark (or anything too close to it) in the same category. And if they try? You have the full weight of the law behind you to stop them — in court or administratively.
It’s also worth noting that intellectual property protection has deep roots in Greece. Even in ancient times, artisans marked their pottery and coins with unique emblems to show origin — the earliest form of branding. Today, Greece plays by the rules of a harmonized European IP framework, backed by treaties and directives that make its national registration valuable far beyond its borders. Whether you’re a local startup or a foreign investor, registering your trademark here is a strategic move — not just a bureaucratic one.
Legal Framework for Trademark Protection in Greece
Trademark registration in Greece operates under a layered legal structure. At its core is Law No. 4679/2020, which aligns Greek legislation with EU Directive 2015/2436 — the directive that harmonizes trademark laws across member states. This law outlines how to apply, how trademarks are examined, published, and ultimately protected. It ensures your application isn’t just reviewed fairly, but also recognized across the EU’s integrated system.
But the framework doesn’t stop there. Civil and Commercial Codes fill in the legal blanks — covering ownership, use, and commercial exploitation of trademarks. Plus, a set of administrative regulations lays out the nitty-gritty: what can be registered, how long it takes, how to make changes, when third parties can object, and how appeals are handled. If you’re navigating the process from abroad, these technical details are crucial.
From an international standpoint, Greece is a highly cooperative jurisdiction. It’s a signatory to:
- The Paris Convention (which gives you priority rights if you’ve filed in other countries),
- The Madrid Agreement and Protocol (which lets you file through the WIPO system), and
- The TRIPS Agreement (which is binding on all WTO members and ensures minimum IP standards).
That means you’re not starting from scratch — your international filings and protections can often translate into Greek law, if structured correctly.
On the ground, the process is overseen by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI). This is the national body responsible for trademark registrations. OBI:
- Accepts and examines trademark applications,
- Assesses whether a mark is distinctive and legally acceptable,
- Publishes your mark for opposition (allowing others to challenge it),
- Handles disputes from third parties, and
- Maintains the official registry of protected trademarks.
OBI is an independent legal entity, though it operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Development and Investments. Internally, it’s structured with dedicated departments for registration, legal examination, and appeals. If you’re serious about registering a trademark in Greece — and you should be — you’ll be dealing with OBI from start to finish.
Types of Trademarks Eligible for Registration in Greece
Greece’s trademark system offers more than just protection — it gives brands creative freedom in how they define and defend their identity. The law doesn’t limit applicants to just a name or a logo. On the contrary, the Greek IP framework accommodates a broad range of signs — as long as they meet the legal standard of distinctiveness and are capable of being represented in the official registry.
Let’s start with the basics. Word marks are the most common — think company names, brand terms, abbreviations, combinations of letters and numbers. To qualify, the sign must not be generic or misleading. A word like “MILK” for a dairy product? Unlikely to pass. But a coined term, a unique phrase, or a clever brand name? Much more promising.
Then we have figurative marks — logos, symbols, stylized characters, or any kind of visual motif that can distinguish your product. These are particularly valuable when a business wants to protect its visual identity in the marketplace. The Greek system allows for marks that combine text and image — known as composite trademarks — which are registered as one unit, capturing the full aesthetic of your brand.
But protection doesn’t stop at visuals.
You can also apply for three-dimensional (3D) marks, which cover the shape of a product or its packaging. Picture a distinctively curved bottle or an unusual product casing — if that design has acquired recognition in the market, it might just qualify. The key is that the shape must not be functional or commonplace — it has to serve as a source identifier.
Then there are sound marks, which are still relatively rare but entirely legitimate under Greek law. Think brand jingles, short melodic hooks, or unique audio cues that consumers associate with your business. Submitting a sound mark means providing a musical notation (a staff-based transcription) or a clearly defined audio file. The legal bar is high here — you’ll need to prove that the sound alone can create a mental link to your brand.
Color marks and position marks round out the more sophisticated end of the spectrum. A single color or color combination might be protected, but only if the brand can demonstrate that the public has come to associate it specifically with the business. (For instance, the iconic blue-and-white scheme of a certain Greek water brand.) Position marks refer to a specific placement of a symbol or feature on a product — like the heel tab on a sneaker or a label stitched to a particular seam.
In each of these cases, it’s not enough to simply use the feature — you have to show that it’s recognizable and consistently used in commerce. Greece’s IP office (OBI) will scrutinize whether the mark actually functions as a commercial indicator — and whether the public is likely to perceive it as such.
In short, if your sign — visual, verbal, spatial, or auditory — sets your product apart and can be represented in the register, it has a fair chance of being protected under Greek law. But registration isn’t automatic. It takes legal precision, creative clarity, and a deep understanding of how your mark operates in the real world.
Requirements for Legal Protection of a Trademark in Greece
Before initiating the trademark registration process in Greece, it’s crucial to understand the legal thresholds your sign must meet to qualify for protection. These aren’t just formalities. They are strict criteria enforced by both the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) and the EUIPO. Whether you’re an individual entrepreneur or a global corporation, compliance is non-negotiable.
The core principle is distinctiveness. The mark must be capable of identifying the origin of goods or services and distinguishing them from those of others. This may sound straightforward, but many applicants stumble on this point. If a sign merely describes the nature, quality, intended use, quantity, price, origin, or other characteristics of the goods — it won’t be considered distinctive. Words like “natural,” “premium,” or “Greek” may seem appealing but are often rejected unless the applicant can prove that these terms have acquired distinctiveness through long-term, intensive use in the Greek market.
This is especially relevant for foreign applicants. Just because a trademark is registered in another country — say, the U.S., U.K., or Germany — doesn’t mean it will meet the distinctiveness test in Greece. National interpretations of what constitutes a “distinctive” mark can vary significantly. Greece takes a conservative view: your brand must already resonate with Greek consumers or possess an inherently unique character to pass.
There’s another layer to consider — cultural and legal sensitivities. If you’re applying for a trademark in Greece as a non-resident or through a foreign entity, it's vital to respect national norms. A mark that seems creative or provocative elsewhere might raise red flags in Greece. For instance, trademarks that include offensive language, suggestive content, or disrespect religious or historical symbols will likely be refused outright. The same applies to imagery or wording that promotes hate speech, glorifies extremism, or undermines public order.
Even more crucial is the category of signs that are absolutely barred from registration — regardless of their distinctiveness or commercial strength. These prohibitions are rigid and leave no room for argument. If your mark contains state emblems, national flags (Greek or foreign), seals of international organizations, or geographic terms that mislead the public about the true origin of the goods, it will be blocked. Likewise, any mark that’s identical or confusingly similar to an existing registered trademark — particularly one in the same class of goods or services — is likely to trigger an objection or opposition.
To minimize the risk of rejection, many applicants seek a legal opinion or conduct a comprehensive clearance search before filing. This pre-emptive step can be especially valuable if you plan to extend trademark protection across multiple jurisdictions. Greece is part of the EU system, so your registration could later serve as a springboard for broader EU-wide protection — but only if the mark clears the local hurdles first.
Understanding and navigating these legal filters isn’t just procedural housekeeping. It’s the foundation of your brand’s legal security in the Greek market — and beyond.
Pre-Application Phase for Trademark Registration in Greece
Effective legal protection doesn’t begin with filing a form — it starts well before that. The preparatory stage is where brands either lay the groundwork for smooth registration or set themselves up for rejection. A thoughtful pre-filing strategy is especially important in today’s saturated markets, where every edge counts and the strength of your trademark depends as much on due diligence as it does on creative flair.
Whether you're registering a trademark in Greece independently or working with a local agent, the preparation typically unfolds in three core stages: market analysis, legal screening, and risk assessment.
The first checkpoint is determining whether your proposed mark stands out in a meaningful way. It’s not enough to be legally registerable — a successful trademark must also resonate commercially. That means being distinctive, easy to recognize, and unlikely to be confused with existing brands, especially those operating in the same product or service class.
This phase involves asking smart, localized questions:
- How is the mark likely to be interpreted by a Greek-speaking audience?
- Are there cultural or linguistic nuances that could create confusion — or worse, unintended offense?
- Does the brand align with modern expectations for trademarks in Greece and the broader EU market?
Once a candidate mark passes the marketing and communication sniff test, it's time to run it through a legal filter. This is where a detailed clearance search comes in. You’ll want to comb through both national databases (administered by OBI) and the EUIPO registry, looking not only for identical matches but also for phonetically or visually similar entries that might pose a problem.
A proper screening should include:
- Identification of identical or near-identical entries;
- Analysis of similarities in sound, appearance, and meaning;
- Classification cross-referencing based on the Nice Classification system (NCL), which Greece adheres to.
This stage is particularly critical when you're working with word marks or logo-based elements, as these tend to generate the most overlap across jurisdictions. Identifying potential conflicts early on doesn’t just prevent refusals — it gives you a chance to refine your mark or your filing strategy before investing time and resources into a formal application.
Strategic Use of the Nice Classification System in Greek Trademark Registration
Choosing the right classes under the Nice Classification isn’t just an administrative formality — it’s a critical legal and strategic decision. The scope of your trademark protection in Greece depends heavily on how accurately and thoughtfully you define the classes of goods and services it covers. Get it wrong, and you risk facing partial invalidation, rejection during renewal, or weak enforcement if a conflict arises.
The Nice system, used internationally and fully adopted in Greece, divides all goods and services into 45 standardized classes — Classes 1 through 34 apply to goods, while Classes 35 through 45 are reserved for services. When applying for trademark registration, the applicant must clearly specify the intended areas of commercial use. It’s not enough to guess or generalize — vague or overly broad class designations often invite scrutiny or rejection by the Industrial Property Organization (OBI).
In Greece, filing a multi-class trademark application is allowed and, in many cases, recommended. For businesses with a diverse portfolio — such as those producing consumer goods (e.g., Class 25 for clothing) and offering digital services (e.g., Class 35 for advertising or marketing) — registering across multiple classes ensures broader protection and long-term scalability. However, this approach comes with trade-offs: each additional class increases the official fees and requires careful justification within your business model.
Random or excessive class combinations can raise red flags with examiners. Worse, they can be challenged by third parties if they believe the filing overreaches or lacks legitimacy. That’s why each selected class should directly align with your actual or planned business activity. Strategic alignment isn’t just smart — it’s often the deciding factor between a seamless registration and a contested, expensive legal process.
If a class selection is challenged or leads to refusal, the applicant may appeal the decision. But appealing a trademark rejection in Greece can be time-consuming, costly, and legally complex. Success typically hinges on presenting a strong argument that demonstrates real-world use, commercial intent, or established consumer recognition within the disputed class.
In short: your classification strategy isn’t just a checklist item. It’s the legal architecture of your trademark protection — and in many cases, the blueprint for your brand’s future expansion.
Contact our experts and get answers to your questions.
The Trademark Application Process in Greece
If you're planning to actively use your brand within Greek territory, understanding the exact mechanics of the trademark application process is essential — not optional. Especially in today’s legal environment, where the competition is fierce and application volumes are climbing steadily, precision at every stage can make or break your registration.
The process begins with a well-structured application form. It must include a clear representation of the trademark — whether it’s a wordmark, logo, or a combined version — along with a detailed list of goods and services for which protection is sought, organized by class under the Nice Classification. Everything must be filed in Greek. Every word, every image, and every classification needs to be accurate — even small errors can delay processing or result in outright refusal.
A major convenience here is Greece’s digital infrastructure. The country offers a modern online portal for trademark applications, significantly streamlining submission. Through this platform, applicants can upload documentation, select their Nice classes, pay the state fee, and receive instant confirmation — all without setting foot in a government office. That said, not all trademark types are supported through the digital system. For example, if you’re registering a sound mark, you’ll need to upload audio files in a specific format, along with a precise musical transcription or description.
Now, many ask: “Can I use my trademark in Greece without registering it?” Technically, yes — use without registration isn’t illegal. But it’s risky. An unregistered mark offers little to no legal protection. If a dispute arises, the registered owner always wins. It’s that simple.
Once your application and payment are submitted, the Greek Industrial Property Organization (OBI) begins formal examination. This phase checks whether your documents are complete, accurate, and meet the minimum filing requirements. If something’s missing, OBI will notify you, and you’ll be expected to amend the issue promptly. Failure to act in time may result in withdrawal of the application.
The next stage is substantive examination — the part where the authorities search national and EU databases to assess whether your trademark is identical or confusingly similar to any existing registrations. If the application passes this stage, it’s published in the OBI official bulletin.
From there, a three-month opposition window begins. During this time, any third party who believes your trademark violates their rights may submit a formal objection. If no objections are filed — or if they are resolved in your favor — your mark proceeds to registration.
Duration of Trademark Rights and Renewal in Greece
Once a trademark is successfully registered in Greece, it enjoys full legal protection for a period of ten years starting from the date the application was filed. This validity term aligns with European standards for intellectual property enforcement. Importantly, trademark rights aren’t limited to this initial period — they can be renewed indefinitely, provided the necessary steps are taken on time.
To maintain uninterrupted protection, the trademark owner must submit a renewal request at least six months before the current term expires. Greek law also offers a six-month grace period after the expiration date. However, during this extension window, a late renewal fee applies. The renewal process involves confirming the continued use of the trademark, paying the government fee, and submitting the appropriate documents in the prescribed format.
Trademark Protection Through the Courts in Greece
Obtaining a registered trademark in Greece grants you legal recognition, but it doesn’t eliminate the risk of future disputes. In reality, defending your rights often requires more than just a certificate — it demands readiness to act through formal legal channels when challenges arise.
One of the most common legal actions is the attempt to revoke or invalidate a trademark. Such claims may be brought forward by competitors, third parties, or regulatory bodies, especially when there’s a suspicion that the registration didn’t meet the legal criteria. Typical arguments include lack of distinctiveness, resemblance to existing marks, violation of prior rights, or procedural errors during the application process. These cases are handled by civil courts, which examine all relevant documentation, evidence, and arguments before delivering a verdict. The outcomes often set valuable precedents, guiding both trademark holders and new applicants on what to expect from the legal system.
Another critical area of legal protection involves trademark infringement. When someone uses a registered mark without the owner's authorization, legal action can be taken to stop the unauthorized use and potentially seek compensation. Courts in Greece have the authority to issue injunctions, impose fines, and order damages. In some cases, this also includes the seizure or destruction of goods that unlawfully bear the trademark.
Litigation plays a preventive role too. Businesses that take swift and firm legal action against misuse send a strong message — their brand is not only registered, but also actively protected. This often discourages others from attempting similar violations in the future.
Administrative Cancellation Procedures in Greece
Registering a trademark in Greece does not guarantee permanent protection. Intellectual property rights are subject to ongoing scrutiny, and certain legal grounds allow for the cancellation of a registered mark through administrative processes. These procedures are designed to maintain fair competition and uphold the principles of honest business conduct — especially relevant for companies expanding into the Greek or EU market.
One of the primary reasons a trademark may be revoked is non-use. If a registered mark is not actively used in commerce for five consecutive years without valid justification, it may be considered abandoned. In such cases, its continued presence in the official register may distort competition and mislead consumers.
Other valid grounds for cancellation include bad-faith registration — such as knowingly providing false information in the application or attempting to monopolize generic or commonly used terms. Conflict with existing rights is another frequent basis: if a newly registered mark is identical or confusingly similar to a prior trademark, it may infringe on someone else’s rights. Additionally, special protection is afforded to certain designations, such as geographical indications — any misuse here may also result in cancellation.
The process of initiating administrative cancellation requires a formal request to the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization (OBI). This petition can be filed by any interested party — a competitor, an affected trademark owner, or even a public authority. The request must include supporting evidence that clearly justifies the claim. OBI conducts a preliminary review of the documentation to assess its completeness, legality, and whether valid grounds for cancellation exist. If the application meets formal criteria, the case proceeds, and both sides may present their arguments.
Conclusion
Securing a trademark in Greece is more than a formal step — it’s a strategic move that grants the owner exclusive control over the commercial use of their brand. With proper registration, businesses gain the legal footing needed to stand out in competitive markets, safeguard their reputation, and defend against unauthorized use or imitation.
In today’s global economy, a trademark functions as a vital business asset. It shapes public perception, reinforces consumer trust, and creates long-term value. For companies operating locally or expanding across borders, understanding the importance of legal protection is key. Obtaining a certificate of trademark registration in Greece is not simply a regulatory formality — it’s a powerful tool for market positioning and brand integrity.
A well-structured trademark registration strengthens brand visibility and gives business owners the legal clarity to manage and enforce their rights with confidence. Moreover, it enables operational flexibility: the ability to assign, license, or transfer rights to third parties opens new avenues for growth and collaboration.
Working with a qualified legal partner can make all the difference. Our consulting firm provides full-service support throughout the registration process and beyond — from application preparation to enforcement and renewal. Our team combines deep knowledge of Greek and EU trademark law with practical experience in dealing with administrative bodies and judicial systems. When you choose us, you gain more than just legal assistance — you gain a partner committed to protecting the core identity of your business.
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