In the EU, no use is required in order to file an application. Just like in the UK, you don’t need to specify any dates of first use or to indicate if the mark is in use. No use is required to obtain a trademark registration.

To maintain your trademark, it must be put to “genuine use in the European Community” within 5 years of registration. If the trademark has not been used, without a very good reason, for five years or more, then the registration may be cancelled. Furthermore, Community trademarks that do not meet the new standard for “genuine use in the Community” may be converted to national trademarks of a Member State if they meet the requirements for that Member State.