1.10.1 Expenses for travel and subsistence 

Witnesses and experts who are summoned by and appear before the EPO are entitled to appropriate reimbursement, by the EPO, of expenses for travel and subsistence (see E‑IV, 1.10.3). This applies equally to witnesses and experts who are summoned by and appear before the EPO in the course of oral proceedings held by videoconference for travel to the place where they make themselves available to appear before the EPO by videoconference (e.g. a videoconference facility provided by one of the parties or a venue with a sufficiently stable internet connection).

This applies even if the witnesses or experts are not heard, e.g. where evidence is to be produced concerning an alleged prior use and shortly before the taking of evidence such prior use is substantiated by a document already published. Witnesses and experts may be granted an advance on their expenses for travel and subsistence. Witnesses and experts who appear before the EPO without being summoned by it but are heard as witnesses or experts will also be entitled to appropriate reimbursement of expenses for travel and subsistence.