Patent filing strategy at the PATLIB center
From a national first filing to an international strategy:
target countries, four filing routes with pros, cons and real fees, and a report at the end.
For advisers at PIZ and PATLIB centers, patent law firms and technology transfer offices.
Same countries, different route
10 countries in Europe
×1.34
DE FR GB IT ES NL CH AT SE PL
14 countries: Europe, US, Asia
×1.25
DE FR GB IT ES NL CH AT SE PL US CN JP KR
15 EU states in the Unitary Patent
×3.03
DE AT NL FI DK PT SE IT BG FR RO EE SI LV BE
12 countries worldwide, only DE in Europe
×1.14
DE US CN JP KR IN BR CA AU MX IL SG
Total cost over 20 years including attorney and translations; first filing in DE, 12 claims, otherwise as in the example. ×: highest-cost route divided by lowest-cost route. Fee date 21.10.2026.
Reservation: model incomplete or the fees of a country not reliable.
As a table
| Country mix | Unitary Patent | Worldwide via PCT | Classic European | Direct national | Highest-cost divided by lowest-cost route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 countries in Europe: DE FR GB IT ES NL CH AT SE PL | €85,108 · Lowest cost · Reservation | €87,541 | €110,531 | €113,815 | ×1.34 |
| 14 countries: Europe, US, Asia: DE FR GB IT ES NL CH AT SE PL US CN JP KR | €126,186 | €125,851 · Lowest cost · Reservation | €154,309 | €157,594 | ×1.25 |
| 15 EU states in the Unitary Patent: DE AT NL FI DK PT SE IT BG FR RO EE SI LV BE | €54,835 · Lowest cost · Reservation | €57,478 | €156,994 | €166,367 | ×3.03 |
| 12 countries worldwide, only DE in Europe: DE US CN JP KR IN BR CA AU MX IL SG | €148,676 | €144,503 | €140,891 | €130,471 · Lowest cost · Reservation | ×1.14 |
Unitary Patent
- Pro:One patent for all participating EU states, one renewal fee.
- Con:One revocation action can hit it in every state at once; not all EU states take part.
Worldwide via PCT
- Pro:One application keeps many countries open and postpones the choice of countries.
- Con:Extra fees for the international phase; the country costs come later.
Classic European
- Pro:One EPO procedure, non-EU states included; the search report shows the chances of grant early.
- Con:After grant, validation, translation and renewal fees in each state separately.
Direct national
- Pro:For a few countries the shortest path; a search request at the German Patent Office (DPMA) shows the chances of grant early.
- Con:Each country separately: procedure, language, attorney and fees multiply.
How a consultation works
How it is calculated
Fees
Official fees with source, as of 21.10.2026
Calculation
Fixed code, no AI
Report
- AI writes text, no numbers
- Released by the PATLIB center
Approximate values, not legal advice.