Republic of Moldova joins European Patent Organisation as 40th member state

As of 1 June 2026, the Republic of Moldova has joined the European Patent Convention (EPC) as its 40th Contracting State and becomes a member of the European Patent Organisation.

From this date, Moldova is fully integrated into the European patent system. European patent applications filed on or after 1 June 2026 will automatically extend to Moldova under the standard EPC designation process, with no separate validation procedure required.

This change expands the territorial scope of European patents and streamlines protection for applicants seeking coverage in Moldova, while also enhancing the commercial value of European patent rights across EPC member states.

Applications filed before the effective date remain subject to the previous regime, where protection in Moldova depends on the applicable validation system.

For more information, please contact us at info@inventa.com