After being granted, a European patent (EP) must be validated in those contracting states in which the European patent shall have effect. The necessary steps are laid down in the respective national law of the EPC contracting states. These steps may include, depending on the contracting state, the appointment of a representative or an address for service and the filing of a translation of the European patent or at least its claims into an official national language. The London Agreement applies to some EPC contracting states (see map) and the translation requirements for granted European patents are set out below.

In the following EPC contracting states, a European patent automatically enters into force; no translation needs to be filed:

Belgium, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco.

The following states only require a translation of the patent claims into a national official language:

Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia.

The following states require only a translation of the patent claims into a national official language if the EP patent specification is available in English; if the European Patent has been granted in German or French, either an English translation of the patent specification and a translation of the patent claims into a national official language or a translation of the entire European Patent into a national official language must be submitted:

Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden.

The following states are not party to the London Agreement and continue to require the filing of a translation of the entire European patent into an official national language:

Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta*), Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Cyprus.
*) English translation

European patents that have been granted can also be validated in Morocco, for which a translation of the claims into Arabic or French is required. Furthermore, there is the possibility of validating granted European patents in the Republic of Moldova, Tunisia, Georgia, Cambodia and Laos (as of April 01, 2025).

Moreover, a European Unitary Patent can be applied for with effect in some EU member states for granted European patents.

Please contact us so that we can advise you on the necessary national steps in each individual case.

To the website of the European Patent Office  (external link)