8.2.1 Reduction of the additionalinternational search fee

If the applicant fulfils the requirements for reduction of the international search fee, any additional search fee is validly paid upon payment of the reduced amount.

The fee for the international search on an international application is reduced by 75% where the applicant or, if there are two or more applicants, each applicant is

–a natural person who is a national and resident of a state not party to the EPC which on the date of filing of the application is classified as a low-income or lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank;

or

–a natural or legal person who is a national and resident of a state in which a validation agreement with the EPO is in force.

The list of these states can be found on the EPO website under "Reduction in international search and preliminary examination fees".

For information on the reduction of the previously paid international search fee for micro-entities under Rule 7a(3) EPC after entry into the European phase (see EPC Guidelines A‑X 9.2 and EPC Guidelines A‑X, 9.4).