The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of Andorra’s trademark registry. Since then—and especially following the opening of the Office of Trademarks and Patents of the Principality of Andorra (OMPA) in December 1996—the country has gained prominence as a highly attractive jurisdiction for both domestic and international companies interested in protecting their intangible assets.
Over the past three decades, Andorra has gained significant international recognition and undergone major economic development. At the same time, its trademark system and registry have evolved from a traditional administrative structure into a modern, digitized agency. This anniversary coincides with a particularly significant moment for many rights holders who filed their trademark applications between 1996 and 1997, as those trademarks are now nearing renewal.
Trademark Registration in Andorra: The Beginnings of the OMPA
At 9:00 a.m. on December 5, 1996, the facilities that would receive the first trademark applications processed by the Office of Trademarks and Patents of the Principality of Andorra (hereinafter, OMPA) opened their doors in the former B&B Club building.
The first applications came mainly from Andorran public agencies and international companies that were particularly concerned with protecting their industrial property. The speed with which those initial applications were processed already foreshadowed one of the features that would come to characterize the Andorran system: streamlined procedures and simple, efficient management of the registry.
Andorran legislation was also designed to be in line with international standards, even though Andorra has not acceded to the Madrid Protocol for the registration of trademarks and is not a member of the European Union. However, the Nice Classification is applied (with some modifications), and trademarks are valid for ten years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for successive periods of ten years.
From its inception, the Andorran system was well received by international taxpayers, particularly companies with interests in Spain and France. The procedure was established in Catalan, the country’s official language, and the euro was designated as the currency for the payment of fees, even though Andorra is not a member of the European Union.
In recent decades, the Principality has established itself as an idyllic setting for business, finance, tourism, and commerce, which has also led to an increase in trademark registrations in the country, with an annual growth rate exceeding 25 percent.
What were the first trademarks registered in Andorra?
The first trademarks registered in Andorra had a distinctly institutional character. Thus, applications Nos. 1 and 2 were filed by the Government of Andorra, Department of Tourism, and included the well-known trademark “Andorra, the country of the Pyrenees” and its logo—one of the country’s longest-running slogans—which promotes the country’s natural beauty, mountain sports, and exclusive shopping.
- No. 1 trademark “Andorra, el país dels Pirineus,” filed on December 5, 1996, at 9:06 a.m.
- Trademark No. 2 filed on the same day at 9:18 a.m.
The third trademark registered in Andorra was that of the Institut Nacional Andorrà de Finances, filed on December 5, 1996, at 9:34 a.m.
Following the aforementioned public entities—and likely out of deference and in recognition of the symbolic nature of the occasion—private and foreign companies did not appear until positions 4, 5, and 7. Anheuser-Busch, LLC took great care to submit its brands at 10:47, 10:56, and 11:35, respectively, by submitting the corresponding forms for its flagship brands to the office:
BUD
BUDWEISER
Now at number 15, the Spanish hotel group Meliá has submitted an application for its flagship brand, GRAN MELIÁ—one of the leading brands in the tourism sector—demonstrating the importance of this sector to the region’s economy.
How Andorran Trademark Law Has Evolved
The evolution of Andorra’s trademark system did not come to a halt following the opening of the OMPA and the subsequent creation of the Servei de Signes d’Estat, which is attached to the OMPA, in 1998.
As a result of the efforts toward modernization and technological development over the past decade, the integration of the Electronic City Hall and the Transparency Portal—which allow certain procedures to be completed online—are particularly noteworthy.
At the same time, over the years, ELZABURU has managed more than 4,000 trademarks in the Principality and has actively contributed to leading international publications on industrial property and Andorran trademark law.
Trademark Renewals in Andorra: Why Will 2026 and 2027 Be Key Years?
Thirty years after those initial applications, many of the trademarks registered between 1996 and 1997 are still in force and will be due for renewal between 2026 and 2027.
This aspect has practical implications in terms of the volume of proceedings. Indeed, during the OMPA’s first years of operation, there were very high numbers of applications, representing one of the largest volumes in its entire history. Consequently, it is reasonable to anticipate that during the remainder of 2026 and throughout 2027, there will be a significant increase in renewal proceedings, especially for holders with extensive portfolios.
Therefore, it is advisable to review in advance the status of trademarks that are set to expire within at least the next 18 months and to plan for their renewal appropriately to ensure the continuity of those rights.
Cristina Arroyo, Associate Partner and Director of the International Trademark Practice at Elzaburu.