How many fee reduction or compensation schemes are available?

Key features: 30% reduction in all main fees for micro-entities with little or no experience of patenting at the EPO

Legal basis: Rules relating to Fees Art. 14(1) in combination with Implementing Regulations Rules 7a(3) to (6) and 7b

Introduced by CA/63/23

OJ EPO 2024, A3 and A8

Key features: 30% reduction in EP filing and examination fees for small entities, incl. SMEs, from EPC contracting states with official languages other than the official EPO languages

Legal basis: Rules relating to Fees Art. 14(1) in combination with Implementing Regulations Rules 7a(1) and (2) and 7b and EPC Art. 14(4)

Introduced by CA/97/13 Rev. 1 and CA/D 19/13, see OJ EPO 2014, A4

Last amended by CA/63/23, see OJ EPO 2024, A3 and A8 

Key features: lower appeal fee for small entities, incl. SMEs

Legal basis: Rules relating to Fees Art 2(1) item 11 in combination with Implementing Regulations Rule 7a(2)(a) to (d)

Introduced by CA/102/17 and CA/D 17/17, published in OJ EPO 2018, A4

Last amended by CA/63/23

Key features: Lump-sum compensation for Unitary Patent translation costs for small entities, incl. SMEs, from EU member states

Rules relating to Fees for Unitary Patent Protection Art. 4 in combination with Rules relating to Unitary Patent Protection Rules 8, 9, 10 and 11

Introduced by SC/D 1/15, SC/D 2/15

Regulations (EU) No 1257/2012 and 1260/2012

Key features: Some national offices entrust the EPO with the search for some or all nationally filed patent applications. For small entities, incl. SMEs, an 80% fee reduction may apply.

Introduced by CA/51/20 and CA/80/20, paragraph 33 (not publicly available)

Last amended by CA/55/23