Online filing

Filing in DOCX now available for all users

Greater flexibility and smoother workflows

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12 Minutes News

EPO President on global tech trends and Europe’s future

In a Euronews interview, EPO President António Campinos discusses global technology trends and what Europe must do to stay competitive.

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EPO Technology Dashboard 2025

The EPO received a record 201 974 patent applications last year

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User consultation on the Guidelines

Send us your feedback on the EPC, PCT-EPO and UP Guidelines by 3 April

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Examiner vacancies

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The EPO provides high-quality patents and efficient services that foster innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.

Boards of Appeal

Independent review of EPO decisions

DecisionsCase law of the Boards of AppealOral proceedings

Boards of Appeal

News

Guidelines key visual
News
Guidelines 2026 enter into force, streamlining procedural guidance

Submit comments until 3 April on the EPC and PCT‑EPO Guidelines, which now include content from the former Guides, and on the UP Guidelines

Examination
Law and practice
EPC
PCT
Unitary patent/Unified Patent Court
Applying for a patent
Consultation
EPO Vice-President Christoph Ernst and VPP President Peter Berg with their respective delegations
News
EPO meets with the German Association of Industry IP Experts

Exchanges on IP awareness, the Unitary Patent system, leveraging AI and EPO quality initiatives

Quality
Artificial Intelligence
International co-operation
Consultation
Unitary patent/Unified Patent Court
Technology
EPO Technology Dashboard

Are you new to patents?

Read plain language explanations, discover free tools, check if a patent is right for your innovation and find out if you are ready to apply for one.

Unitary Patent

New simpler system saves time and costs. 

Events

Videos

Video
03:32
English
EPO Technology Dashboard 2025
AI-related inventions and battery technologies surge
EPO Technology Dashboard
Video
02:15
English
Introducing MIPEF Framework
Discover the EPO programme empowering students through high-quality IP education
Learning
Video
02:29
English
Interview: Ludwig Witter
EPO meets the Head of IP management at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Quality
Video
05:34
English
Interview: Peter Berg
EPO meets with the German Association of Industry IP Experts.
Quality
International co-operation
Consultation

Quality – our commitment to excellence

Challenging ourselves to achieve even higher levels of quality

Get to know the EPO!

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EPO Technology Dashboard and other statistics

The latest figures and patenting trends from the EPO, including data downloads and country-specific profiles.

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Transparency Portal

Gain insight into our operations and decision-making processes.

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Our strategy

In SP2028, the EPO will have one goal: sustainability. Our people, technologies, high-quality products and services, the partnerships the EPO develops and financial sustainability are the five drivers that will enable us to build a more sustainable patent office. 

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Observatory on Patents and Technology

Dedicated to outreach and research, it provides access to the latest technology trends through digital tools, events, and in-depth economic and technology studies.