UK IPO patent Claims Fee Calculator

A: The UK Intellectual Property Office charges a flat fee of £27 for each claim over 25 in a patent application, effective from April 2026. The first 25 claims are included within the standard filing fee. Unlike the EPO, the UK IPO uses a single flat rate with no second tier. The excess claims fee is payable at two points in the process: when search is requested, and again at grant if the number of claims has increased since the search stage.

A: There is no universal answer. Claim count is a strategic decision that depends on the technology, the scope of protection required, and the budget available. A focused set of 15 to 25 claims can provide strong, defensible protection in many cases. Applications with more than 25 claims are common in complex technologies, and the additional cost at the UK IPO is relatively modest compared to the EPO. IP Asset’s patent attorneys can advise on the right structure before you file.

A: Yes, in some circumstances. Claims can be amended during prosecution, and if the number of claims is reduced before the search stage, excess claims fees may not apply or may be reduced. If fees have already been paid and claims are later deleted, a partial refund is not automatically available, so it is more cost-effective to review claim count before filing or before requesting search. Our team can help identify opportunities to streamline claims without narrowing your protection.

A: The current fee of £27 per claim over 25 came into effect on 1 April 2026. This was the first increase to UK IPO patent fees since 2018, representing a rise from the previous rate of £20 per claim. Fees are set in pounds sterling and any future changes will be announced by the UK IPO. Always verify the current schedule at gov.uk before filing.