9.5.2 9.3.2 Reduction of the examination fee where the international preliminary examination report is drawn up by the EPO

Where the EPO has drawn up the international preliminary examination report in respect of an international application, the examination fee is reduced by 75% in proceedings before the EPO as elected Office. Accordingly, the reduction applies to the Euro-PCT application entering the European phase. The reduction of the examination fee does not apply to divisional applications for whose parent application the EPO has drawn up the international preliminary examination report.

If the conditions for a reduction under the language arrangements (see A‑X, 9.2.3 A‑X, 9.3.3) are also fulfilled, the examination fee is first reduced by 75%, then by a further 30%, i.e. the total reduction is 82.5%, or the amount payable is 17.5% of the full fee. The same calculation applies if the conditions for a reduction under the scheme for micro-entities (see A‑X, 9.4.1) are fulfilled. If the applicant is eligible for a reduction under both the language arrangements and the scheme for micro-entities, the examination fee is reduced by 75%, then by 30% under Rule 7a(1), and is further reduced by 30% under Rule 7a(3) (see the notice from the EPO dated 25 January 2024, OJ EPO 2024, A8). Under certain circumstances, this calculation can result in a negative amount, meaning no fee is payable. A negative amount is not offset against other fees paid.