The European Patent Office has announced increases to a number of its fees. The increases become effective on any payment made from 1 April 2024 onward. Many, such as the increases to the search, examination and grant fees are modest. However, the renewal fees payable in years 3-5 of a European patent application will increase by 30%.

As renewal fees can be paid up to 3 months before they are due, we recommend applicants consider early payment of cases with renewal fees due in any of years 3-5. It should be noted that the year 6 renewal fee has been reduced slightly and a minor saving can be made if cases with this fee due are delayed until 1 April 2024 or later. 

The cost of filing an ex-PCT European patent application will increase by EUR 320 (including the increase the the year 3 renewal fee) but this increase can be avoided by filing before 1 April 2024 and paying the 3rd year renewal on filing.

The main changes are as follows:

​Fee:	​Current amount (Euros)​	​Amount from 1 April 2024 (Euros)​
Search	​1460​	​1520
​Examination	​1840	​1915
​Designation	​660​	​685
​Grant	​1040	​1080
​	​	​
​Renewal - 3rd Year	​530	​690
​Renewal - 4th Year	​660	​845
​Renewal - 5th Year	​925	​1000
​Renewal - 6th Year	​1180	​1155
​Renewal - 7th Year	​1305	​1310
​Renewal - 8th Year	​1440	​1465
​Renewal - 9th Year	​1570	​1620
​Renewal - 10th-20th Year	​1775	​1775

Full details of the fee changes can be found here

Please contact us for case-specific costs or if you would like guidance on general strategy.