European Union
Patent Filing in the European Union
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Why File a Patent in the European Union
Securing a patent through the European Patent Office gives you access to one of the world’s largest integrated markets with a single examination. A European patent and, where suitable, the Unitary Patent, can block competitors across multiple EU countries, strengthen negotiation leverage for licensing and investment, and streamline enforcement through coordinated or centralized courts.
The EPO’s rigorous search and examination often yield strong, defensible rights, useful for tech transfer, partnerships, and cross-border commercialization. Strategically, European Union patent filing helps align product launches with broad market coverage, reduces duplicative national filings, and can lower translation and renewal overhead when unitary effect is chosen.
Our Services
Patent Application Process in
the European Union
The patent application process in the United States is managed by the USPTO and follows clear procedural steps to ensure full protection of your invention. Applicants can file different types of patents in the USA, each with its own process and requirements.
Invention Patent
(Paris Route or PCT)
Design Patent
Filling Timelines
The time limit for the PCT national phase entry in Europe is 31 months from the earliest date of priority and 12 months for Direct Paris Route application. This term can be restored within two months from the missed deadline.
The time limit for filing a design is 6 months from the earliest date of priority. This time limit ca be restored within 2 months from the missed term by paying an additional fee.
Required Documents
Signed POA, inventor declaration, assignment and Original certified copy of priority, if applicable.
Signed POA, inventor declaration, assignment and Original certified copy of priority, if applicable. A drawing set of the different views of the design.
Examination
The examination fees are included in the official fees that are paid at the filing stage. The first examination report must be issued by the EPO within 18 months from the filing date. It is possible to request accelerated examination under PPH under certain circumstances.
The patent office will review if the design application meets all formalities and registrability. No examination fees must be paid. If the application is accepted to registration, the design will be published in the Community Designs Bulletin and a certificate of registration will be issued. Normally the granted patent is issued within 3 months from the filing date.
Granting
After receiving the Notice of Allowance, the applicant must pay the “Granting fees” and file the translation of the claims into french and german within 4 months from the notice of allowance. Once the patent is granted the invention will be automatically validated in France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg and United Kingdom. Also, the applicant can validate the patent in other 38 European contracting states, within 3 months from the granting date and paying a validation fee.
No granting fee must be paid, once the design has been accepted will be published in the Community Designs Bulletin and a certificate of registration will be issued. The “Maintenance” fees must be paid each period of 5 years from the filing date of the application and the patent term of the design is 25 years.
Member/Validation States
The Contracting states and “extension states” which are not Contracting States to the EPC are: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tukey, Tunisia and United Kingdom.
The Community Design patent is valid in 27 European Union countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Since Brexit occurred at the start of 2021, in order to protect your design, we must file a design application directly with the United Kingdom.
Why Choose Patentarea for
Patent Filing in the European Union
Patentarea simplifies the entire patent registration process, from prior art search to grant, and provides expert support for PCT national phase entries in the European Union and worldwide. Our process is efficient, transparent, and designed to help you secure protection for your invention in just three simple steps:
01
Choose the Countries
Let us know the jurisdictions where your client needs patent support. Whether it’s a single country or a complex multi-national strategy, we have a strong foreign experience to handle filings, prosecutions, analysis and renewals efficiently.
02
Receive a Tailored Fee Schedule
We provide a customized and transparent fee schedule based on the selected countries, ensuring cost-effective and predictable pricing. Once you confirm the terms, we take care of everything, keeping you and your client informed throughout the process.
03
We Manage Your Portfolio,
Gain full access to all documents, deadlines, and key filings through our advanced online system. We handle everything from submissions to ongoing maintenance, ensuring compliance with local requirements while keeping you updated—at no additional cost.
FAQ’s
How long does it take to obtain a European patent?
On average, it takes about 3 to 5 years from filing to grant at the EPO. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the invention and how quickly the applicant responds to EPO communications. Using PACE or PPH programs can significantly shorten this timeline.
What is the difference between a European patent and a Unitary Patent?
A European patent must be validated separately in each country after grant, becoming a bundle of national rights. A Unitary Patent, by contrast, provides single, uniform protection across participating EU member states, with one renewal fee and no need for national validations.
Can I use my PCT application to enter the European patent system?
Yes. You can enter the European regional phase within 31 months from the earliest priority date. This route allows you to use your international application as the basis for examination and grant in Europe, deferring costs and decisions until later in the process.
Is it possible to speed up examination at the EPO?
Yes. Applicants can request accelerated examination through the PACE program (for any application) or the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) if a related patent has already been found allowable in another jurisdiction. Both are free and can reduce overall prosecution time by one or more years.
Why Patentarea.com?
We have a team of patent attorneys and engineers, with years of experience making patent searches, filing patent applications and following up on the patent process in more than 30 countries, which allows us to assure you:
-Competent professionals will perform all the necessary procedures for filing and following up your patent application.
-You will receive timely information regarding updates for the application process.
-If objections or rejections arise in the patent application process, knowledgeable attorneys will advise you on the appropriate course of action.
-All information provided to us will be kept in absolute confidentiality. Before entering any business relationship we electronically sign a confidentiality agreement with you that protects your interests (View our confidentiality agreement).
Who will be in charge of my application?
In countries where services are offered, Patentarea.com relies on teams of recognized and experienced patent attorneys, allowing us to assure a high-quality service.
To learn about the attorney directly in charge of your request select the link “Attorney in charge” located on the toolbar or in the “About Us” section.
