The European Patent Office (EPO) will make electronic filing and notification mandatory as a general rule from 1 April 2027. On 1 October 2026, the Office presented its first implementing measures. For applicants and patent proprietors, the transition primarily affects the submission of documents and the receipt of official communications. The new requirements also apply to PCT proceedings before the EPO and proceedings relating to the Unitary Patent. EPO announcement of 1 October 2026.
Electronic Filing Becomes Mandatory
Patent applications and other procedural documents will generally have to be filed electronically. Available services include Online Filing 2.0 and, for certain subsequent submissions, MyEPO. The EPO Contingency Upload Service will remain available as a fallback option. International applications may also be submitted using the permitted functions of the ePCT service.
Documents will no longer be accepted by hand at EPO filing offices. The remaining physical letterboxes for paper submissions will also be taken out of service on 1 April 2027. Limited exceptions apply, for example, to documents handed over during oral proceedings before the Boards of Appeal. Decision concerning the filing of documents, OJ EPO 2026, A41.
Postal Filing: Electronic Refiling Required
Filing by post will remain possible in principle, particularly to secure a filing date or meet a deadline. However, the documents will generally have to be refiled electronically, with matching content, within two months of an invitation from the EPO.
Failure to comply can have significant consequences: a European patent application will be refused, while other subsequently filed documents will be deemed not to have been received. Applicants who continue to file on paper must therefore take account of the additional electronic refiling requirement and the applicable deadline. Notice concerning mandatory electronic filing and notification, OJ EPO 2026, A43.
Official Communications via MyEPO Mailbox
Electronic notification will generally take place through MyEPO Mailbox. Paper copies will not be sent in parallel. Notification through ePCT is also available for certain PCT proceedings.
Documents are deemed to have been received on the day they are made available in MyEPO Mailbox. Reliable access and regular monitoring of the electronic inbox are therefore essential for managing procedural deadlines. Decision concerning electronic notification, OJ EPO 2026, A40.
What Applicants Should Consider Now
Applicants acting before the EPO without a representative should arrange access to MyEPO Mailbox in good time and establish clear responsibilities for monitoring incoming communications. If suitable electronic access is unavailable, the EPO may resort to public notification under the applicable provisions.
Third-party observations must also be filed electronically from 1 April 2027. The transition therefore affects companies wishing to submit relevant information to the EPO concerning competitors’ patent applications. OJ EPO 2026, A43.
We will be pleased to assist you with European patent applications and proceedings before the EPO, including compliance with filing requirements and monitoring the relevant deadlines.