Moldova Joins the European Patent Convention as the 40th Member State
The Republic of Moldova has joined the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 1 June 2026, becoming the 40th member of the European Patent Organisation. The European Patent Office (EPO) has now published a notice (epo.org/en/legal/official-journal/2026/04/a25) confirming the effect of the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the EPC. As a result, European patent applications filed from that date will automatically cover Moldova, and Moldovan applicants will be able to file international patent applications through the European Patent Office.
Moldova’s existing patent validation agreement with the EPO will end upon accession, although it will continue to apply to European and international patent applications filed before 1 June 2026.
As from 1 June 2026, the European Patent Organisation comprises the following 40 member states:
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- North Macedonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Republic of Moldova
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Türkiye
- United Kingdom
The acceding of the Republic of Moldova to the European Patent Convention (EPC) provides greater attractiveness of the European patent system for innovation and investment as well as unification of the patent standards across the European continent.
