If one wishes to obtain a European patent, two options are possible: direct European route and Euro-PCT route, i.e. international route.

If you decide that you want a European patent, you have the choice between the direct European route and the Euro-PCT route.

Enhancement of Euro-PCT route: payment of the third year renewal fee

As the validation results in a shift of PCT applications from the national route to the EURO-PCT route, the national office in the validation country has the possibility to focus its resources on direct support to national innovation.