From 1 June 2026, the Republic of Moldova will be an EPC contracting state and thus part of the regular European patent system. As the 40th contracting state of the European Patent Organisation, Moldova will in future be covered by the normal designation system for European patent applications; a separate validation will no longer be necessary for new applications filed from that date.
This makes the European patent route even more attractive for companies seeking protection in Eastern Europe. In the future, patent protection can be pursued in 40 contracting states through a European patent application.