I. Renewal Fees for European Patent Applications
Renewal fees for pending European Patent Applications must be paid to the European Patent Office EPO. Only one renewal fee must be paid.
II. Renewal Fees for European Patents
II.1 Principle
Granted European Patents must be maintained in the individual sovereign countries under the umbrella of the EPC, including EPC member states, extension states, and validation states. Patent renewal fees must be paid to the patent offices of these countries.
II.1 Exception
Renewal fees for Unitary Patents must also be paid to the European Patent Office, see also Renewal Fees for Unitary Patents.
If a Unitary Patent is sought, only that renewal fee is payable to the EPO.
