2.27.4.Refund procedure 

2.27.017Under the fee refund procedure, users are required to file clear and up-to-date refund instructions in an electronically processable format (XML). Filing of electronically processable refund instructions is mandatory since 1 October 2019. Under this procedure, applicants may also indicate the account of any third party for the purpose of fee refunds. 

2.27.019Refunds are made to a deposit account held with the EPO or to a bank account. Refunds cannot be made by cheque or to credit cards. If the EPO cannot make a refund to a deposit account held with it, it will invite the party to the proceedings to claim the refund via its website using Central Fee Payment.⁴⁷ To do so, it will send two separate communications:

–the first communication will inform the party of the pending refund and that it can be claimed online; 

–the second will contain a refund code required to identify and claim the refund.