When do I need to file an authorisation?

Professional representatives, legal practitioners and associations do not need to file an authorisation, with the following exceptions (and with or without an invitation from the EPO).

• The EPO has doubts as to the representative's entitlement to act.
• The EPO is informed of a change of representative, but the new representative is not a member of the same association or law firm and the previous representative has not withdrawn their appointment.

Employees within the meaning of Article 133(3) EPC who are neither professional representatives nor legal practitioners must always file an authorisation or refer to the registration number of a general authorisation (OJ EPO 2025 A45 and OJ EPO 2025, A47).

For more information, see What kinds of authorisation can be filed with the EPO?