With the deposit of its instrument of accession on March 25, 2026, the Republic of Moldova has completed the final formal step toward acceding to the European Patent Convention (EPC). As of June 1, 2026, the country officially belongs to the European Patent Organisation, thereby becoming its 40th Contracting State.
Cooperation between the European Patent Office (EPO) and Moldova dates back to the 1990s. A significant intermediate step was the validation agreement concluded in 2013 and in force since 2015 which enabled the extension of European patents to Moldova.
As a result of this accession, the new Contracting State, Moldova, is automatically designated in European patent applications filed on or after June 1, 2026. Retroactive designation of the Republic of Moldova in applications filed prior to this date is not possible.
A separate extension request, along with the associated fees, is no longer required. This simplifies procedures for applicants and strengthens the harmonization of patent protection in Europe.
This accession underscores the progressive integration of European innovation and intellectual property systems and demonstrates the enduring appeal of the EPC, including for states outside the European Union.