EPO official fees rising from 1 April 2026
The EPO has announced that official fees will increase from 1 April 2026 onwards. They normally increase them every 2 years and the modest rise is likely to be less than inflation over that period.
How much will the fees increase by?
Most official fees are set to increase by around 5%. The table below shows how some of the most commonly paid fees at the EPO will change:
| Fee description | Current fee | New fee |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | €135 | €135 (no change) |
| Search fee | €1,520 | €1,595 |
| Excess claims fees (claims 16–50) | €275 | €290 |
| Examination fee | €1,915 | €2,010 |
| Excess page fees (>35 pages) | €17 per page | €17 per page (no change) |
| Designation fee | €685 | €720 |
| Renewal fee (3rd year) | €690 | €725 |
| Renewal fee (4th year) | €845 | €885 |
| Renewal fee (5th year) | €1,000 | €1,050 |
| Renewal fee (6th year) | €1,155 | €1,215 |
| Renewal fee (7th year) | €1,310 | €1,375 |
| Renewal fee (8th year) | €1,465 | €1,540 |
| Renewal fee (9th year) | €1,620 | €1,700 |
| Renewal fee (10th+ year) | €1,775 | €1,865 |
| Fee for grant and printing | €1,080 | €1,135 |
What can I do to avoid fee increases?
The fee increases are likely to affect most of our clients. Depending on the action required, official fees may be paid early to avoid fee increases.
Notably, renewal fees can be paid up to three months in advance. Where renewal fees are due shortly after the fee increase, our usual reminder emails will mention the option to pay the fee early at the lower rate.
Why are the fees increasing?
The increase in official fees is likely intended to offset rising costs caused by inflation. However, it is worth bearing in mind that EPO official fees have been frozen for the last two years, meaning that the fee increases are slightly below the rate of inflation.
What should I do now?
The EPO’s announcement, including a full list of the new fees, can be accessed here. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact one of the authors, Martin George or
John Lawrence, or your usual Barker Brettell attorney.
