EPO offices closed from 24 December 2024 to 1 January 2025
Our offices will be closed over the holiday period from 24 December 2024 to 1 January 2025 inclusive. They will open again on 2 January 2025.
This means that all time limits for filing documents and making payments that expire between 24 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 will be extended until 2 January 2025 (Rule 134(1) EPC). For PCT procedures, this applies mutatis mutandis (Rule 80.5 PCT). You can, however, continue to submit documents to the EPO during this period, preferably online via MyEPO services.
The new year will bring two changes to EPO online services: you will need two-factor authentication because EPO smart cards will no longer be accepted; and you will need to use our alternatives to web-form filing because this service is being decommissioned. Both of these changes are effective from 1 January 2025.
The automated mailboxes (located at Munich's PschorrHöfe building and in Berlin) are not affected by the Christmas closure and can be used at any time. Outside business hours, you can hand in documents to the porters at any of the EPO filing offices.
Our customer support will be available during business hours on working days in the closure period.