International route
Applicants seeking worldwide patent protection may use the services of the EPO under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). PCT applications may be filed, searched and examined at the EPO.
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Euro-PCT Guide
A guide for applicants interested in filing an international patent application with the EPO as a receiving office. It also covers procedures before the EPO as an international authority under the PCT and gives information about entry into the European phase.
Read moreEntry into the European phase
Find out what steps to take to enter the European phase and get further information on Euro-PCT applications
Read moreAccelerating your application
Learn how to accelerate prosecution of your Euro-PCT application and save up to 30 months.
Read moreEPO decisions and notices
A collection of links to important decisions and notices from the EPO related to the PCT procedure.
Read moreFiling options
International applications can be filed with the EPO as receiving office
Read morePCT resources
Links to legal provisions and other resources, including forms, made available by the World Intellectual Property Organization
Read morePCT fees
Information on fees for the PCT procedure.
Read moreExtension/validation request
At the request of the applicant, international patent applications entering the European phase may be extended to or validated in third countries for which an extension or validation agreement has entered into force.
Read moreLatest updates
Availability of online services
See also
CNIPA-EPO Pilot on ISA files
As of 1 December 2020, nationals or residents of P.R. China are able to select the EPO as their International Searching Authority (ISA) and as their International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA).
FAQ – CNIPA-EPO pilot for ISA filesRecorded online seminarUseful links
For more information about the PCT, please visit the WIPO website.
WIPO