The European Patent Office (EPO) has once again decided that it
will increase its official fees as of 1 April 2024.
While some fees are staying the same, there are increases of
around 4% for many common fees, and substantial increases in some
early renewal fees.
In particular, the search fee is due to increase from €1460
to €1520, the examination fee from €1840 to €1915,
the designation fee from €660 to €690 and the grant fee
from €1040 to €1080.
The most significant changes are in the renewal fees for the
3rd to 5th year. The 3rd year fee
increases from €530 to €690 (an increase of 30%!), the
4th year fee from €660 to €845, and the
5th year fee from €925 to €1000. The
6th year fee decreases slightly, from €1180 to
€1155. The remaining renewal fees for the 7th to
9th years have increased only slightly, while the fee
for the 10th year onwards remains the same.
