Renew a patent
You must renew your patent on the fourth anniversary of when you filed for it. You then need to renew every year near the ‘due date’ - the last day of the month in which you first filed.
Renew up to 3 months before, or within 1 month after, the due date to avoid late payment fees. You can renew up to 6 months after the due date but you’ll have to pay £24 on top of the renewal fee for each extra month.
Renewal fees
You can renew your patent for up to a maximum of 20 years.
| Year | Renewal fee |
|---|---|
| 5th | £70 |
| 6th | £90 |
| 7th | £110 |
| 8th | £130 |
| 9th | £150 |
| 10th | £170 |
| 11th | £190 |
| 12th | £220 |
| 13th | £260 |
| 14th | £300 |
| 15th | £360 |
| 16th | £420 |
| 17th | £470 |
| 18th | £520 |
| 19th | £570 |
| 20th | £610 |
If you do not renew on time you’ll pay a late fee of £24 per month, as well as the fee for the year you’re renewing.
When you renew your patent online, you can ask the IPO to email you a reminder 3 months before the next due date.
If you do not renew your patent on time, the IPO will send you a reminder by post. They’ll use the last address you provided. If you want it to be sent to a new or different postal address, you should write to the IPO or renew by post.
Patents granted later than 3 years and 9 months after the filing date
Your first renewal is due 3 months after your patent was granted. You’ll need to pay the fee by the last day of that month.
You may also have to pay multiple fees that cover more than one renewal year when you pay your first renewal fee.
Renew online
You can renew your GB patent or European patent (UK) online.
You’ll also be able to renew trade marks and registered designs at the same time.
You can visit a regional Patent Information centre (or Patent Library) if you need help renewing a patent online.
Renew by post
Fill in the patent renewal form and post it. The address is on the form.
Renew by phone
Intellectual Property Office
Telephone: 0300 300 2000
From outside the UK: +44 (0)1633 814 000
Textphone: 0300 0200 015
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Restore a patent after the late renewal deadline
If you missed the 6 month deadline for late renewal, you have a further 13 months to apply to ‘restore’ your patent.
You must give a good reason why you missed the deadline.
Fill in and send an application to restore a patent with a written explanation of why you did not renew on time.
What happens next
You’ll get a decision letter in the post. You will not get your money back if your application is turned down.
You’ll be able to renew your patent as normal by sending a patent renewal form if IPO agrees your explanation is valid.
You’ll get confirmation and your patent will be published in the patents journal once IPO receives your renewal payment.
If your application is rejected you can request a hearing with a senior official - the letter will tell you how.