European Patent (EPO) Validation in Romania

1. Terms for patent validation in Romania

The period for filing the translation in 3 months after the date on which the mention of the grant or the decision to maintain the patent as amended is published in the European Patent Bulletin, extendable by three months.

The following data must be provided with the translation:

  • EP application and publication numbers;
  • EP application and publication dates;
  • names and addresses of applicant(s) and inventor(s);
  • the title of the invention in Romanian;
  • drawings, if any.

2. Conditions for patent validation in Romania

2.1 Translation – Romania has enacted provisions under Article 65(1) EPC and requires a translation of the complete European patent specification if the European patent has not been granted in one of their official languages.

  • For provisional protection: it is required a translation of the complete patent specification, in Romanian.
  • After grant: a translation of the patent specification into Romanian must be supplied. Due date is 3 months after the date on which the mention of the grant or the decision to maintain the patent as amended is published in the European Patent Bulletin, extendable by 3 months.

2.2 Payment of patent validation and national registration fees:

There is a special fee to be paid: 60 EUR or 216 RON. Due date for the payment is the date on which translation is filed.

3. Effect of the European patent as a national Romanian patent

Under Article 64(1) EPC, a European patent automatically confers on its proprietor from the date on which the mention of the grant is published in the European Patent Bulletin, in each contracting state in respect of which it is granted, the same rights as would be conferred by a national patent granted in that state.

4. Patent annuities in Romania

  • Due date: anniversary of date of filing.
  • Time limit for payment (without surcharge): renewal fees falling due within 3 months of the grant of the patent may be paid without surcharge within this 3-month period.
  • Earliest possible date for payment: no information available.
  • Period of grace for payment of fees (with surcharge): 6 months from due date.
EPO annuities -Romania – EUR
Year Cost Fee EUR Total Surcharge for late payment:
3 150 50 200 75
4 160 50 210 80
5 180 50 230 00
6 200 50 250 100
7 220 50 270 110
8 240 50 290 120
9 260 50 310 130
10 280 50 330 140
11 300 50 350 150
12 320 50 370 160
13 340 50 390 170
14 370 50 420 185
15 400 50 450 200
16 500 50 550 250
17 500 50 550 250
18 500 50 550 250
19 500 50 550 250
20 500 50 550 250

In case that your patent was filed not as EPO (European patent) patent but as PCT (WIPO, international patent), in order to obtain the protection on the national level, you may need to open to your patent to the national phase in Romania.