Republic of Moldova to become 40th EPO member state
The Republic of Moldova is due to become the 40th contracting state of the European Patent Organisation on 1 June 2026. The country has taken the final step towards acceding to the European Patent Convention (EPC) by depositing its instrument of accession on 25 March 2026.
Co-operation between the EPO and the Republic of Moldova dates back to the mid-1990s and developed significantly with the signing of a validation agreement in October 2013, which entered into force on 1 November 2015. The validation agreement enabled applicants seeking patent protection in the Republic of Moldova to extend their granted European patents to the country, without the need to file an additional application. Since then, the EPO has worked closely with the Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) under the validation framework, paving the way for the country’s accession to the EPC.
On 13 February 2019, the Republic of Moldova formally requested to accede to the EPC, and on 13 December 2022 the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation officially invited the country to do so. On 5 February 2026, the Moldovan Parliament approved accession to the EPC, which will take effect on 1 June 2026, under Article 169(2) EPC.
European co-operation on patents
From seven founding states in 1977 to 40 member states as of 1 June 2026, the European Patent Organisation is a success story of international co-operation, supporting innovation and economic growth across Europe. The Republic of Moldova’s accession to the EPC marks an important milestone in strengthening European co-operation on patents and further developing the country’s intellectual property framework. It also represents another step forward for Moldova on the path to European integration following the opening of EU accession negotiations in June 2024.
