Patent renewal fees in South Korea: costs, due dates and grace period
You pay patent renewals in South Korea to the KIPO, in KRW, up to year 20. You pay nothing until the office grants your patent. Miss a due date and you get a 6-month grace period, with a surcharge that starts at 3% and climbs to 18%.
What are the patent renewal due dates in South Korea?
South Korea counts annuities from the grant date, and the amount depends on which patent year you are entering. You pay nothing while the application is still pending.
The first renewal falls due three months after the grant date, payable to the KIPO.
For example, if the grant date is 2022-01-20, then the first three annuities must be paid by 2022-04-20.
After the first three annuities, every later annuity falls due on the anniversary of the grant date, from three years after grant.
For example, if the grant date is 2022-01-20, then the fourth annuity must be paid by 2025-01-20.
Official patent renewal fees by year in South Korea
Official fees payable to the KIPO, by patent year, in KRW.
| Year | Official fee (KRW) | Per claim (KRW) | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | — |
| 2 | — | — | — |
| 3 | 39,000 | 36,000 | $28 |
| 4 | 36,000 | 20,000 | $26 |
| 5 | 36,000 | 20,000 | $26 |
| 6 | 36,000 | 20,000 | $26 |
| 7 | 90,000 | 34,000 | $65 |
| 8 | 90,000 | 34,000 | $65 |
| 9 | 90,000 | 34,000 | $65 |
| 10 | 216,000 | 49,000 | $156 |
| 11 | 216,000 | 49,000 | $156 |
| 12 | 216,000 | 49,000 | $156 |
| 13 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| 14 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| 15 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| 16 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| 17 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| 18 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| 19 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| 20 | 324,000 | 49,000 | $234 |
| Full term · years 3–20 | 3,657,000 | 737,000 | $2,644 |
In South Korea, you pay a fee per claim in addition to the base renewal fee.
For example, if you are to pay annuity 4, you will have to pay the base renewal fee plus the claim fee multiplied by the number of claims. For the purpose of this example, we will assume that the patent has 11 claims, which will result in the following calculation: Base Renewal Fee KRW 40,000 + (Claim Fee KRW 22,000 x Number of claims 11) = KRW 282,000
Save up to 50% on your patent renewals
The official fees are fixed. What your provider adds on top is not. Send your email and we'll show you what these renewals should really cost.
Missed a patent renewal deadline in South Korea?
A six-month grace period runs from the day after the due date. You can still pay the renewal fee with a surcharge that starts at 3% and climbs to 18%, and the patent continues without interruption. Once the grace period closes, the patent lapses.
If you miss a renewal due date of 20 January 2026, the patent enters the grace period on 21 January 2026. Settle the renewal fee and the surcharge by 20 July 2026 to keep the patent in force.
Patent renewal fees in other jurisdictions
The same schedule, deadlines and grace rules, in the jurisdictions we are asked about most.
Looking for a different jurisdiction?
Patents, trademarks and designs in other countries and regions.
Other IP renewals in South Korea
Patents aren't the only rights that lapse without renewal. South Korea also protects trademarks and designs. Each on its own schedule and fee scale.
Trademarks
Renewal deadlines, grace periods and official fees for trademark registrations in South Korea.
Designs
Renewal terms and official fees for registered industrial designs in South Korea.
1. What do I pay while the application is pending?
Nothing. You pay no annuities in South Korea while your application is pending. Payments start once the office grants your patent.
2. When can I pay the renewal fee?
Whenever you like. In South Korea, you can settle renewal fees at any time and pay several annuities together in one go.
3. Can I renew a patent after missing a due date?
Yes. You get a 6-month grace period, starting the day after you miss the due date. Pay the renewal fee plus a surcharge inside that window and your patent stays in force. It starts at 3% and climbs to 18% by the end of the window. Miss the window too and the patent lapses.
4. How long does a patent last?
Up to 20 years from the filing date, as long as you pay every annuity on time. Stop paying and it lapses at the end of the grace period that follows the last due date.
Patent renewal FAQ
Enter the new era of IP renewals
.avif)