Annual Fees for Protected Inventions

A patent can be protected for a maximum of 20 years. The first annual fee is due in the 6th year and must subsequently be paid in advance each year. The due date for annual fees is based on the filing date of the patent and is due on the last day of the filing month.

The annual fee may be paid no earlier than three months before the due date and no later than six months after the due date. If payment is made after the due date, the fee increases by 20% – except for the first fee due (6th year), which is exempt from the surcharge. Please note: the patent will expire if the fee is not paid on time.

The annual fee for a patent of addition is due on the next due date (the last day of the filing month) following grant and amounts to €386. Only one annual fee is payable for the entire term. Patents of addition expire at the same time as the parent patent.

The term of a supplementary protection certificate begins as soon as the basic patent expires. It is valid for a maximum of five years. In the case of a medicinal product for children, it may be extended by an additional six months.

The first annual fee is due at the end of the month in which the supplementary protection certificate takes effect. The annual fee may be paid no earlier than three months before the due date and no later than six months after the due date. If payment is made after the due date, the fee increases by 20%.
 

A utility model can be protected for a maximum of ten years. The first annual fee is due in the 4th year and must subsequently be paid in advance each year. The due date for annual fees is based on the filing date of the utility model and is due on the last day of the filing month.

The annual fee may be paid no earlier than three months before the due date and no later than six months after the due date. If payment is made after the due date, the fee increases by 20% – except for the first fee due (4th year), which is exempt from the surcharge. Please note: the utility model will expire if the fee is not paid on time.
 

Instead of paying individual annual fees, lump-sum payments may also be made. The due date for the lump-sum payments is based on the due date for the 4th or 7th annual fee.

A European patent can be protected for a maximum of 20 years. The first annual fee is due in the 6th year. 

The annual fee may be paid no earlier than three months before the due date and no later than six months after the due date. If paid after the due date, the fee increases by 20% – except for the first fee due (6th year), which may be paid up to three months after the due date without the 20% surcharge. Please note: the patent will expire if the fee is not paid on time.