Ministry of Economy and Environment approves Roadmap for accession to the European Patent Convention

Ukrainian inventors and businesses will gain access to a single patenting procedure in more than 40 countries through the European Patent Office, including all EU member states. The document sets out the legal, procedural and organisational steps needed to join the convention.

The Roadmap covers 2026–2027. Accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) is expected to reduce the administrative and financial costs of protecting intellectual property abroad and bring the Ukrainian patent system closer to European standards. This stage is an important step on Ukraine's path to EU membership.

The action plan covers five areas:

• building an analytical basis for accession;

• preparing legal and procedural prerequisites;

• strengthening the competencies of authorised entities;

• preparing the professional community to work under membership conditions;

• conducting an information campaign.

Applicants will still be able to file applications with the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO) and choose a national, European or international route depending on target markets, budget, timelines and the specifics of the technology. The national procedure will remain available, in particular in cases involving security requirements, secrecy regimes or export control.

Accession is of particular importance for the security and defence sector. Legal protection of defence and dual-use technologies helps attract investment, supports international technological cooperation and helps Ukrainian manufacturers reach foreign markets.

The draft Roadmap was discussed by the Ministry of Economy and Environment together with UANIPIO in March 2026. More than 120 representatives of public authorities, the judiciary, the scientific and educational communities, business and patent attorneys took part. The document also takes into account recommendations of the European Patent Office (EPO) and the experience of countries that previously joined the EPC.

Background

The development of the Roadmap is provided for by Section 7, "Intellectual Property Law," of the National Programme for the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law (Cabinet of Ministers resolution No. 438 of 1 April 2026). This area is also reflected in Ukraine's negotiating position under Cluster 2, "Internal Market." In 2025, UANIPIO and the EPO signed an updated Memorandum on enhanced technical and strategic partnership, which helps structure dialogue on the procedural aspects of accession.