A quick look at new rules for electronic filings at the EPO and UK Patent Office from 2026

From January 1, 2026, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the UK Patent Office (IPO) will cease using eOLF and will no longer accept international applications, related documents and communications submitted through eOLF. The EPO and IPO will only accept international applications and related documents and communications filed electronically through ePCT-Filing, EPO Online Filing 2.0 (which integrates ePCT-Filing) and the EPO Contingency Upload Service.