EPO-News:
Fee increase
of April 1, 2026

The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced a general increase in official fees effective April 1, 2026.

Following a period of annual adjustments, the EPO is returning to its biennial revision cycle.

Key points of the fee update:

• Average Increase: Most procedural fees will increase by approximately 5%.
• Affected Fees: The adjustments apply to, among others, the search fee, examination fee, fee for grant, and renewal fees (3rd to 20th year).
• Unchanged Fees: Certain fees, such as the filing fee, opposition fee, and appeal fee, are expected to remain at their current levels.

A complete list of the new fee rates can be found in the Official Journal of the EPO

A complete list of the new fee rates can be found in the Official Journal of the EPO.

Our Recommendation:

You can avoid the increased rates by making payments or filing new applications before April 1, 2026. Please note that renewal fees can generally be paid up to three months in advance of their due date at the current (lower) rates.

Do you have any questions?
We are pleased to advise you!