Patent renewal fees in Switzerland: costs, due dates and grace period
You pay patent renewals in Switzerland to the IPI, in CHF, up to year 20. The schedule starts on the last day of the filing month three years after filing, granted or not. Miss a due date and you get a 6-month grace period, with a surcharge on top: nothing extra for the first three months, then 50 CHF.
What are the patent renewal due dates in Switzerland?
Switzerland counts annuities from the filing date, and the amount depends on which patent year you are entering. A due date can arrive while the application is still pending.
The first renewal falls due on the last day of the filing month three years after filing, payable to the IPI.
For example, if the filing date is 2020-07-15, the first renewal will be due by 2023-07-31.
Every later annuity falls due on the last day of the filing month, each year, until year 20.
For example, if the filing date was on September 9, then all subsequent annuities will be due on September 30 each year.
Switzerland is a member state of the EPO. A European patent takes effect in Switzerland only once the EPO grants it and you validate it in Switzerland. You pay the EPO while the application is pending, then the IPI takes over after validation, under the same rules as a national patent.
Official patent renewal fees by year in Switzerland
Official fees payable to the IPI, by patent year, in CHF.
| Year | Official fee (CHF) | ≈ USD | Cumulative (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | — |
| 2 | — | — | — |
| 3 | — | — | — |
| 4 | 100 | $125 | 100 |
| 5 | 120 | $150 | 220 |
| 6 | 140 | $174 | 360 |
| 7 | 160 | $199 | 520 |
| 8 | 180 | $224 | 700 |
| 9 | 220 | $274 | 920 |
| 10 | 260 | $324 | 1,180 |
| 11 | 300 | $374 | 1,480 |
| 12 | 340 | $424 | 1,820 |
| 13 | 400 | $499 | 2,220 |
| 14 | 460 | $573 | 2,680 |
| 15 | 520 | $648 | 3,200 |
| 16 | 600 | $748 | 3,800 |
| 17 | 680 | $848 | 4,480 |
| 18 | 760 | $947 | 5,240 |
| 19 | 860 | $1,072 | 6,100 |
| 20 | 960 | $1,197 | 7,060 |
| Full term · years 4–20 | 7,060 | $8,800 | 7,060 |
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Missed a patent renewal deadline in Switzerland?
A six-month grace period runs from the day after the due date. You can still pay the renewal fee with a surcharge on top: nothing extra for the first three months, then 50 CHF, and the patent continues without interruption. Once the grace period closes, the patent lapses.
If you miss a renewal due date of 31 March 2026, the patent enters the grace period on 1 April 2026. Settle the renewal fee and the surcharge by 30 September 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 Switzerland
Patents aren't the only rights that lapse without renewal. Switzerland 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 Switzerland.
Designs
Renewal terms and official fees for registered industrial designs in Switzerland.
1. What do I pay while the application is pending?
The same annuities you pay after grant. Switzerland starts the schedule three years after filing, and it runs whether or not the office has granted your patent by then.
2. When can I pay the renewal fee?
Up to 2 months before the due date, and no earlier. Send it earlier and the office rejects the payment.
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. You pay nothing extra for the first three months, then 50 CHF. 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.
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