French patent application time and cost

During the French patent application process, applicants not only need to consider the costs associated with patent drafting and examination, but also official taxes and annual fees.

The official fees for applying for a French invention patent are relatively low:

• The application fee is €26
• If there are more than 10 claims, a claim surcharge of €42 per claim is required.
• The official fee for filing a search request is €520
• Authorization fee 90 euros
• Annual fees are payable annually starting from the second year after the application date, increasing from 38 euros in the second year to 800 euros in the 20th year.

Individuals, non-profit organizations in the fields of education or research, and small companies may request a fee waiver.

The application fee for a Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) is €520, and the annual fee is €950. As for the services of a patent agent, they usually range from €3,000 to €5,000, depending on the complexity of the invention and the specific requirements in the field of technology.

The average time from application to patent authorization by the French Patent Office is 2.5 to 4 years, or approximately 27 months. Applicants can also employ methods and means to expedite examination, such as submitting their patent application online, applying for a fast-track procedure within 10 months of the filing date, publishing their application in advance, and minimizing third-party objections.