When can I file the request for unitary effect?

You must file the request for unitary effect with the EPO within one month after publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin.

You may also file the request for unitary effect earlier, as soon as the decision to grant the European patent has been issued (EPO Form 2006A). Such requests will, however, not be processed by the EPO before the date of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin and will appear in the Register for unitary patent protection only as of that date. Therefore, you can still withdraw such requests so long as the EPO has not yet taken a decision to register unitary effect or reject the request.

For further information, refer to the notice from the EPO dated 26 April 2023 concerning the filing of early requests for unitary effect after entry into force of the Unitary Patent system.