Moldova to become the 40th EPC contracting state on 1 June 2026

On 1 June 2026, the European Patent Organisation (EPO) will grow to 40 contracting states with the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Patent Convention (EPC). 

The Republic of Moldova is already a validation state since 1 November 2015, enabling applicants of European patent applications and PCT applications designating Europe to validate their applications and patents in the Republic of Moldova by submitting a request thereto and payment of a validation fee with the EPO within the same period as paying designation and extension fees. For European patent applications (and PCT applications designation Europe) filed on or after 1 June 2026, it will no longer be necessary to pay the validation fee to pursue protection in the Republic of Moldova. Payment of the designation fee will automatically designate the Republic of Moldova along with the current 39 contacting states. 

With the accession of the Republic of Moldova, the EPO will have grown from 16 EPC signatory states in 1973 to 40 contracting states. These include all 27 EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) as well as Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. In addition, the EPO has an extension agreement in force with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and validation agreements with Cambodia, Georgia, Laos, Morocco and Tunisia. 

For any questions, contact us at info@dcp-ip.com.