Saudi Arabia Joins the Madrid Protocol: What Indian Businesses Need to Know

By Abhishek Chandok and Priyanka Gambhir

Saudi Arabia accedes to the Madrid Protocol on July 08, 2026 : the Protocol will take effect on  October 08, 2026

For Indian exporters, filing a trademark in Saudi Arabia has always meant a standalone national application i.e., a local agent, a legalized Power of Attorney, and a process run entirely apart from any international filing strategy. That is about to change. Starting October 08, 2026, Saudi Arabia will be reachable through the same Madrid application used to cover the rest of a brand’s international portfolio, following the Kingdom’s deposit of its instrument of accession on July 08, 2026.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR INDIAN BUSINESSES AND EXPORTERS?

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East and a G20 member. Once the Protocol takes effect, Indian companies holding (or filing) an international registration through the Madrid System will be able to add Saudi Arabia as a designated territory without a separate national filing, a local agent, or a legalized Power of Attorney, unless the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) raises a provisional refusal or a third party files an opposition.

• One international filing strategy covering multiple markets;
• No separate Saudi national filing at the initial stage;
• No Saudi local agent at the filing stage, unless a provisional refusal or opposition arises; and
• No apostilled or legalised Power of Attorney at the filing stage, under the Madrid route.

This is particularly useful for Indian businesses already using the Madrid System for international brand protection.

THE REGIONAL PICTURE

Saudi Arabia becomes the fifth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member to join the Madrid System, following Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the UAE and leaving Kuwait as the only GCC country still outside it.

For Indian exporters with Gulf-wide ambitions, this means most of the GCC can now be reached through designations under a single international application, rather than a set of independent national filings across the region.

BEFORE VS AFTER: WHAT CHANGES

The key difference is the route through which protection is sought.

The Madrid route therefore offers a more streamlined way to include Saudi Arabia within an existing international trade mark portfolio.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GCC PROTECTION?

Saudi Arabia’s accession is also significant from a wider Gulf-region perspective.

With Saudi Arabia joining, five of the six GCC member states: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar will be part of the Madrid System. Kuwait remains outside the system.

For Indian businesses planning a broader GCC expansion, this makes it easier to consider a coordinated regional filing strategy rather than handling each country separately.

WHAT SHOULD INDIAN BUSINESSES DO NOW?

1. Review upcoming Saudi filings: If you are planning to file a new trade mark in Saudi Arabia before 8 October 2026, consider whether filing nationally now or waiting for the Madrid route would be more suitable. The right approach will depend on factors such as how urgently protection is required, the commercial launch date and the status of your existing international portfolio.
2. Check your existing Madrid portfolio: If your business already has an international registration based on an Indian application or registration, review whether Saudi Arabia should be added as a subsequent designation once the Madrid Protocol becomes effective there.
3. Think beyond Saudi Arabia: If your business is expanding across the Gulf, this may be a good time to review your trade mark strategy for Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. A coordinated strategy may make portfolio management simpler and more efficient.
4. Remember that Madrid does not remove local examination: The Madrid System simplifies the filing and registration process, but it does not mean that Saudi Arabia’s local trade mark requirements disappear. Saudi Arabia will continue to examine designated marks under its applicable laws. Provisional refusals, oppositions and other local requirements may still arise, and these may require local action.
5. Plan your budget in advance: Businesses should also factor the applicable designation and renewal costs into their international filing budgets once the relevant fees are available.

OUR VIEW

Saudi Arabia’s move to the Madrid System is a welcome development for businesses looking to protect and expand their brands in the Kingdom.

For Indian businesses, the change is particularly relevant because it can make Saudi Arabia part of a broader international filing strategy, reducing some of the administrative steps involved in a standalone national filing.

Combined with the existing Madrid membership of four other GCC countries, Saudi Arabia’s accession also makes it more practical for businesses to consider GCC-wide trade mark protection as part of a single, coordinated international strategy.

That said, businesses should not treat Madrid as a one-size-fits-all solution. The decision to file nationally or through Madrid should be considered based on filing urgency, existing registrations, business plans and the level of protection required in Saudi Arabia.

We are monitoring the implementation of the Madrid Protocol in Saudi Arabia and will provide a further update closer to October 08, 2026, including information on the applicable designation fees once published.

Need help planning your Saudi Arabia or GCC trade mark strategy?

If you are considering filing a trade mark in Saudi Arabia, we can help you assess whether it would be more appropriate to file nationally before October 08, 2026 or use the Madrid route after it takes effect.

We can also assist with developing a coordinated trade mark filing strategy for Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.

Please reach out to your usual S.S. Rana & Co. contact or write to foreign@ssrana.in .

This alert is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.