How to renew a patent at the European Patent Office?

Renewal fees at the European Patent Office must be paid by certain dates. In this section you will find a description of how these renewal due dates are calculated, both the very first renewal due date and all subsequent renewal due dates.

The first annuity is paid 2 years from the date of filing to the European Patent Office. This annuity must be paid regardless of whether the patent has been granted or not.

For example, if the filing date of a patent is 2018-03-19, then the first renewal must be paid by 2020-03-31.

After the first annuity has been paid, all subsequent annuities must be paid annually on the last day of the month of filing.

For example, if the filing date was on November 9, then all subsequent annuities will be due on November 30 each year.

Other intellectual property types

At the European Patent Office, there are other types of intellectual property besides patents. These include designs.

We are currently working on articles which will explain the rules for the renewal of these types of intellectual property. If you need any help renewing these and are looking for a cost-efficient solution, get in touch with us.

Renewal fee factors:

Patent renewal fee intervals in

European Patent Office (EPO)

Enter the new era of patent renewals

Your platform enables you to utilize auto-renewal options, real-time tracking, budget and forecasting, transparent invoicing, and more.

We have never been presented with an invoice more cost-effective than ours, therefore we offer 100% price guarantee.

Our patent expert team serves more than 1200+ patent owners from 40+ countries. All of our data handling procedures are thorough, and all security measures are taken to comply with data regulations.

Done!

We have received your price quote request. One of our colleagues will be in touch and will provide you with our offer as soon as possible.

Done!

Your platform enables you to utilize auto-renewal options, real-time tracking, budget and forecasting, transparent invoicing, and more.

We have never been presented with an invoice more cost-effective than ours, therefore we offer 100% price guarantee.

Our patent expert team serves more than 1200+ patent owners from 40+ countries. All of our data handling procedures are thorough, and all security measures are taken to comply with data regulations.

European Patent Office Patent Renewal Fees FAQ

What happens to a European patent before it has been granted?

Renewal fees must be paid at European Patent Office regardless of whether the patent is granted or not. You can find the rules for calculating the renewal due dates above in the Due Dates section.

When can I pay the renewal fee at the European Patent Office?

The renewal fee at European Patent Office can be paid up to 3 months before the renewal due date. It is important to note that the renewal fee cannot be paid earlier than this. Any payments made before the opening of the payment window will result in the payment being rejected.

Can I renew a patent after I miss a renewal due date?

Yes, it is possible to renew a European patent after its renewal due date. If you fail to pay the renewal fee before the due date, a grace period of 6 months is given wherein the renewal fees can still be settled. When entering the grace period you will incur a surcharge fee to be settled along with the renewal fee. If you wish to maintain the patent, both the renewal fee and the surcharge fee will have to be settled.

For example, if a patent has a renewal due date of 2021-05-31 and the due date is missed, the patent will enter the grace period from 2021-06-01. After this point both the renewal fee and the surcharge fee will need to be settled by 2021-11-30. Failure to pay these fees before the surcharge due date will result in the patent lapsing.

Do I need assistance from local representation to renew a patent at the European Patent Office?

No, local representation is not necessary in order to carry out a renewal at the European Patent Office. Anyone can renew a patent at the European Patent Office if they submit the payment in accordance with the national regulations.

How long do patents last at the European Patent Office?

A patent will stay in force for 20 years at the European Patent Office from the filing date if successfully renewed in accordance with the rules described above. If the patent is not renewed, it will lapse by the end of the grace period measured from the latest renewal due date.