Chapter I – Filing of the European patent application
Rule 3860
Filing fee and search fee
(1)61 The filing fee and search fee shall be paid within one month of filing the European patent application.
(2) The Rules relating to Fees may provide for an additional fee as part of the filing fee if the application comprises more than 35 pages.
(3) The additional fee referred to in paragraph 2 shall be paid within one month of filing the European patent application or one month of filing the first set of claims or one month of filing the certified copy referred to in Rule 40, paragraph 3, whichever period expires last.
(4)62 The Rules relating to Fees may provide for an additional fee as part of the filing fee in the case of a divisional application filed in respect of any earlier application which is itself a divisional application.
60Amended by decision of the Administrative Council CA/D 4/08 of 21.10.2008 (OJ EPO 2008, 513), which entered into force on 01.04.2009.
61See notice from the EPO of 06.03.2023 20.03.2020 concerning search and examination fees (OJ EPO 2023, A28) (OJ EPO 2020, A30).
62Inserted by decision of the Administrative Council CA/D 15/13 of 16.10.2013 (OJ EPO 2013, 501), which entered into force on 01.04.2014.
See notice from the EPO of 08.01.2014 concerning European divisional applications – amendment of Rules 36, 38 and 135 EPC and Article 2(1) of the Rules relating to Fees (OJ EPO 2014, A22, Corr. OJ EPO 2014, A109).
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13.12.2007 - 31.03.2009Decision of the Administrative Council of 07.12.2006 (CA/D 10/06), (OJ EPO 2007, 8 and Special edition 1/2007)01.04.2009 - 31.03.2014CA/D 4/08 (OJ EPO 2008, 513)01.04.2014 -CA/D 15/13 (OJ EPO 2013, 501)
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EPC EPC 1973 R. 38 Art. 78(2)