The European Patent Office has released the Decision of the Administrative Council of 12 December 2019 amending Articles 2 and 7 of the Rules relating to Fees and Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 29 January 2020 revising the Office's fees and expenses (hereinafter referred to as “the Decisions”) in its January 2020 Official Journal, the new schedule of fees shall enter into force on 1 April.
According to the Decisions, some of the fees and expenses are revised as follows:
Official Fees |
Till 31 March (EUR) |
As of 1 April (EUR) |
Filing fee (filed online) |
120 |
125 |
Additional fee for a European patent application comprising more than 35 pages |
15 |
16 |
Additional fee for the 16th claim and each subsequent claim up to the limit of 50 |
235 |
245 |
Additional fee for the 51st claim and each subsequent claim |
585 |
610 |
Fee for a European search |
1300 |
1350 |
Designation fee |
585 |
610 |
Examination fee |
1635 |
1700 |
Fee for grant |
1025 |
1065 |
Renewal Fees/ Annuities |
Till 31 March (EUR) |
As of 1 April (EUR) |
The 3rd year |
470 |
490 |
The 4thyear |
585 |
610 |
The 5thyear |
820 |
855 |
The 6th year |
1050 |
1090 |
The 7th year |
1165 |
1210 |
The 8th year |
1280 |
1330 |
The 9th year |
1395 |
1450 |
The 10thand each subsequent year |
1575 |
1640 |
Renewal Fees are due in respect of the third and each subsequent year, calculated from the date of filing. They may not be paid more than three months before they fall due, except for the third-year renewal fee, which may be paid up to six months before due.
In conclusion, it is suggested that the applicant should submit the European patent applications and pay the corresponding fees and annuities before the new schedule of fees comes into effect.
Full information of the revised fees can be found in the January 2020 Official Journal of the EPO.
Source: EPO