5.9.4.2 Reduction of the search fee 

5.9.017According to Article 153(7) EPC, the European search fee may be reduced.

The search fee is reduced by a fixed amount of EUR 1 185 (from 1 April 2023: EUR 1 245) where the (S)ISR was drawn up by a European ISA, i.e. the Austrian Patent Office, the Finnish Patent and Registration Office, the Nordic Patent Institute, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, the Swedish Intellectual Property Office, the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office or the Visegrad Patent Institute. 

However, the reduction applies only to the search fee paid in accordance with Rule 159(1)(e) EPC. Further search fees paid under Rule 164(1) EPC are not reduced and always have to be paid in full (see points 5.15.002 ff).

No reduction of the supplementary search fee applies for PCT applications for which an International Searching Authority other than the ones mentioned above was selected.