What will change from 1 January 2024?

The EPO will not issue smart cards from 2024 on.

This means that, after close of business on the last working day of 2023 (18.00 hrs CET on Friday, 29 December) we will no longer accept requests for new smart cards, or requests to replace or renew existing smart cards: users in these cases should use two-factor authentication instead.

However, to allow a smooth transition to the new means of authentication, an exception will be made for users already filing with national offices that do not offer an alternative to the EPO smart card: in such cases we will continue to accept requests to renew smart cards or to replace them until 18.00 hrs CEST on Monday, 30 September 2024.

As always, we only accept requests for renewals received in the 60-day period leading up to the smart-card expiry date.

Users who are thinking of applying for, or renewing, smart cards in time for the change on 1 January 2024 are strongly advised not to do so. Instead, new users without an EPO smart card should create an EPO account and set up two-factor authentication. Existing smart card users should start using two-factor authentication as soon as possible, at the latest before their smart card expires.

See the page get acess for instructions on how to do this.