Moldova officially became the 40th member state of the European Patent Organisation on June 1, following the deposit of its instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention on March 25, 2026.

From June 1, European patent applications will automatically include the designation of Moldova for protection. This move further enhances the potential economic value of European patents as intangible assets.

Josef Kratochvíl, Chairman of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation, stated: "The accession of the Republic of Moldova confirms the continued attractiveness and strength of the European patent system. It underlines our joint commitment to fostering innovation, supporting economic development, and deepening cooperation across Europe at a time when resilience and competitiveness are more important than ever."

António Campinos, President of the European Patent Office (EPO), the executive organ of the European Patent Organisation, said: "We warmly welcome Moldova as a new member state. Building on years of close cooperation with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova, this accession will further facilitate access to high-standard patent protection for both local Moldovan and European innovators, while driving the deep integration of the country's innovation ecosystem into the European development landscape."

Vladislav Cojuhari, Minister of Justice of Moldova, stated: "Moldova is privileged to become a member state of the European Patent Organisation. This important milestone will significantly improve the national patent protection system. By continuously aligning with European intellectual property standards, acceding to the European Patent Convention will optimize the environment for innovation and development, bringing fresh opportunities and more support to all types of enterprises, inventors, and researchers."

A Long-standing Partnership: From Patent Validation to EPO Membership

The cooperation between the European Patent Office and Moldova dates back to the mid-1990s. A key milestone was the signing of a validation agreement in October 2013, which entered into force on November 1, 2015. Under this agreement, patent proprietors could extend the scope of protection of their European patents to the territory of Moldova without filing separate applications. For Moldova, patent validation served as the cornerstone of its deep integration into the European patent system. The European Patent Office has long cooperated with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova, assisting it in standardizing operational rules and strengthening technical capabilities, thereby clearing the path for the country's accession to the European Patent Convention.

An Exemplary Achievement of European Cross-Border Cooperation

Based across the whole of Europe, the European Patent Organisation empowers innovation and economic growth. Signed by 16 countries in 1973, the European Patent Convention has now expanded to 40 member states, encompassing all 27 EU member states, plus Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

European Patent Protection Covering a Market of 715 Million People

The EPO utilizes a centralized examination procedure to receive and examine European patent applications for the 40 member states of the organisation, 1 extension state (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and 5 validation states (Morocco, Tunisia, Cambodia, Georgia, and Laos). Relying on this system, global inventors, researchers, and enterprises can obtain high-quality patent protection in a total of 46 countries, corresponding to a vast market of over 715 million people. Founded in 1977, the EPO is headquartered in Munich, with branches in The Hague, Berlin, Vienna, and Brussels, employing nearly 6,300 staff members.