You can claim a refund online via this link on the EPO website. Users should register with a username (email address) and password or using the smart card authentication.
No. If you are already a registered user of the credit card fee payment service you can use the same account to claim refunds online. The sign-in credentials are the same.
No. As the email address you provide when setting up your account is your username, it cannot be used for more than one user account.
Simply click the Forgot your password? link on the sign-in screen and you will receive an email with instructions on how to reset your password.
Once you have registered at https://fee-payment.epo.org/en/login go to the Claim refund section of the portal, select the relevant procedure (EP or PCT) and enter your patent application number and refund code. This information can be obtained from the two communications you have received by post. You then have the option to select Refund to bank account or Refund to deposit account held with the EPO.
If you have not received your refund code/refund advice communication, please contact Customer Services using our contact form.
After six unsuccessful attempts, your refund code will be locked. To get it reactivated, contact Customer Services using the contact form.
Yes. Shortly after submitting your refund claim you will receive a (printable) confirmation on screen.
Yes. After logging in, you can review previously claimed refunds and download or print the refund confirmations in the refund history. Each confirmation includes detailed information about the refund claimed, including the date on which it was claimed.
It will normally take no longer than one week for the refund to be credited to your bank account. Refunds to deposit accounts will normally be visible under “Transactions” in the Deposit Account screen of the Online Fee Payment tool on the next working day.
If you do not already hold an EPO deposit account, you can submit an online request to open one.
All you have to do is send us your refund instructions, using one of the permitted electronic means of filing (see Notice from the European Patent Office dated 20 August 2019 concerning the revised fee refund procedures, OJ EPO 2019, A82).
BIC/SWIFT codes are required for bank accounts held in non-SEPA countries. The BIC/SWIFT codes shown are those of the main branch of each of the banks listed. The BIC/SWIFT codes of the main branches end in “XXX”, and may be different from the BIC/SWIFT code of your own particular branch. If you can’t find the BIC/SWIFT code of your bank’s main branch in the list, or your bank does not have a BIC/SWIFT code (please check with your bank first), please contact our Customer Services.
