How much does it cost to patent in Europe
Patenting is an investment, and knowing the costs upfront avoids nasty surprises. The figures below are indicative: official fees change over time, so always check the current amounts on EPO and UIBM.
⚠️ Informational guide, not legal advice. For a real quote, consult a patent attorney.
The cost items
- Official fees (filing, search, examination, grant).
- Attorney fees: usually the largest item.
- Translations (to extend abroad).
- Maintenance: annual fees, increasing over the years.
Italy (UIBM)
Official fees for an invention patent in Italy are modest; the main cost is the attorney's fee to draft the application, indicatively a few thousand euros. An Italian patent lasts 20 years from the filing date.
European patent (EPO)
Broader, but more expensive. Filing, search, examination and grant fees together add up to several thousand euros, plus the attorney's fee. Historically, validating the patent in many European countries (with the related translations) could push the overall cost to very high figures (tens of thousands of euros), largely due to translations.
The Unitary Patent (since 2023): cheaper
Since 1 June 2023 the European patent with unitary effect exists: with a single renewal fee paid to the EPO you get protection in many participating EU states, without national validations and their translations. For many applicants it significantly reduces costs (renewal fees for the first 10 years remain modest, in the order of a few thousand euros in total). It is often the most cost-effective option for covering several EU countries.
Duration and maintenance
A patent lasts 20 years from filing, but only if you pay the annual maintenance fees, which increase over the years. If you stop paying them, the patent lapses.
Why a pre-screening makes economic sense
With costs of this size, discovering after filing that the invention was already known is the worst-case scenario. A pre-patent analysis costs a fraction and tells you whether it makes sense to proceed.
→ Check your invention before investing
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest option to cover several EU countries? Often the Unitary Patent, thanks to the single renewal fee and no validation translations.
Is a patent paid only once? No: there are increasing annual maintenance fees.