Overview
Portugal features a comprehensive Intellectual Property environment, overseen by the Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI). This system protects trademarks, patents, and industrial designs. As part of the European Union, Portugal aligns with several broader IP frameworks, ensuring that international standards are upheld.
Local procedures require formal filing with the INPI for national protection. Given its strategic location and trade connections, Portugal’s IP regime offers reliable coverage for both local stakeholders and foreign applicants.
International Conventions
Portugal participates in various global agreements, including:
- Paris Convention
- Berne Convention
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- Madrid System
- European Patent Convention
- TRIPS
- WIPO
IP office
Trademark registration in Portugal is administered by the INPI. Portugal has a multi-class registration system, allowing applicants to cover multiple classes of goods and services within a single filing.
- The initial registration term is 10 years
- Renewal is available every 10 years, indefinitely
- Applicants must provide their details, a representation of the trademark, and a specification of gods and services
- Applications undergo a formal and substantive exam before registration is granted
- Portugal’s participation in the Madrid System enables international filings, but national protection also remains an option for local coverage
Compared to other jurisdictions, owners benefit from a robust framework supported by Portugal’s alignment with the European Union.
The INPI also supervises patent filings in Portugal. Applicants may file directly for a national patent or choose to designate Portugal under the European Patent Convention or the PCT.
- Patent protection is valid for up to 20 years from the filing date
- Periodic renewal fees are required to maintain enforceability
- Novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability are core criteria
- The PCT route offers a streamlined international approach for foreign applicants
Portugal’s membership in both the European Patent Convention and the PCT provides a convenient means to broaden patent coverage.
Industrial design registration in Portugal is likewise managed by the INPI. Protection covers the aesthetic aspects of products and can be crucial for consumer-facing goods.
- The initial design registration term is 5 years
- Renewals can be made in increments of 5 years, up to a maximum total of 25 years
- Applicants must submit clear representations of the design and their details
- Portugal’s involvement in European mechanisms also creates extended design protection options
With these supportive frameworks, design owners can secure broad coverage over both national and regional markets.
This information does not constitute legal advice; it is for informational purposes only.
