EPO initiatives for patent applicants
A programme by European Patent Office (European Patent Office)
Reduced EPO fees for smaller and less experienced applicants, with some reductions open to applicants from any country and others limited to certain residents.
At a glance
| Best for | Smaller and less experienced applicants filing European patents, including micro-entities |
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About EPO initiatives for patent applicants
The EPO reduces some of its own fees for applicants who qualify. Some reductions apply whatever the applicant's home country. Others depend on nationality or residence, or on where an SME is based.
What you get
- A reduced fee on the main grant-procedure fees for micro-entities
- A reduced filing and/or examination fee for applicants who are nationals or residents of a European Patent Convention state where English, French or German is not an official language
- Compensation for translation costs for SMEs that file in another language and request unitary effect after grant
- A lower renewal fee for Unitary Patent holders who declare a licence of right
Who can apply
- Micro-entities: microenterprises, natural persons, non-profit organisations, universities and public research organisations that have filed fewer than five European or Euro-PCT applications in the last five years. This reduction applies whatever the applicant's home country.
- Filing and examination reduction: nationals or residents of a European Patent Convention state where English, French or German is not an official language.
- Translation compensation: SMEs with residence or a principal place of business in an EU member state.
How to apply: Declare the applicable entity type when you file.
Where to apply
Other EPO programmes
- Financing innovation programmeThe EPO's programme to help European innovators, start-ups and SMEs reach finance by using patents and other intellectual property.
- Young Inventors Prize (2027 round)The EPO's prize for inventors aged 30 or under with a public or published initiative; nominations for the 2027 round are closed.
- European Inventor AwardThe EPO's award for inventors with a granted European patent; the 2026 nominations are closed.
- Deep Tech FinderA free EPO search tool for finding patent-backed startups, university spinouts, investors and research organisations across Europe.
- PATLIB patent information centresA network of over 300 regional patent information centres across EPO member states, giving local access to patent information.