Guide for applicants, Part 2: PCT procedure before the EPO (Euro-PCT Guide)

If, after considering the ISR and WO-ISA (see points 237 ff) and, where applicable, the result of the international preliminary examination as laid down in the IPER (see points 399 ff) and/or a supplementary international search (see points 274 ff), an applicant decides to pursue his international application further before the EPO as designated/elected Office, he must comply with the requirements for entry into the European phase within 31 months from the filing date or, if priority has been claimed, from the earliest priority date (see points 128 ff).).

If the 31-month time limit expires on a day on which one of the filing offices of the EPO is not open for receipt of documents, the period is extended to the first day thereafter on which all filing offices are open for receipt of documents and on which mail is delivered.  

If the applicant does not comply with the requirements for entry into the European phase within the 31-month time limit, the Euro-PCT application is, as a rule, deemed to be withdrawn (see point 445).