11.2 European patent applications filed on or after 1 April 2009
11.2.2 Payment of designation fee
All states party to the EPC at the time of filing a European patent application are automatically designated when the application is filed. The designation fee, however, may be paid later (see A‑III, 11.2.1).
Payment of the designation fee covers all contracting states, except those for which the designation has been expressly withdrawn.