Applying for UP Countries
18
EU member states
1
Renewal fee to EPO
2023
System in force since
UPC
Single court
Which countries are involved in the UP/UPC system?
The unitary patent currently has effect in 18 EU member states. Spain, Croatia and Poland have not joined the system, and a further six member states – Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland and Slovakia – have signed but not yet ratified the UPC Agreement.
Updated – Romania ratified September 2024
18 ratified
Countries that have already ratified the UPCA
Romania’s ratification came into effect on 1 September 2024. Any UP registered from this date onwards covers Romania.
France (compulsory)
Italy (compulsory)
Germany (compulsory)
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Sweden
Countries with expected ratification:
Cyprus
Greece
Ireland
Slovakia
Czech Republic
Hungary
Non-EU states unable to participate in the unitary patent system:
UK
Switzerland
Norway
Albania
North Macedonia
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Monaco
San Marino
Serbia
Turkey
The ‘Unified Patent Court’ (UPC), which has exclusive jurisdiction over unitary patents and traditional European patents, is an essential part of the ‘Unitary Patent System’. The process for the ratification of the UPCA is continuing – the remaining six EU member states may ratify at any time.
Each patent case is individual and different.
Don’t know which way – UP or EP – to choose? Contact us.
