Europe

Greece

Patent system, trademark registration, annuity management, and renewals in Greece.

Authority

OBI

PCT

31 mo

Madrid

Member

OBI Patent Search / EPO Espacenet

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Before You Start

Before filing or quoting, you'll typically confirm these first

1
Whether to pursue the Paris route, PCT national phase, or start with trademark registration in Greece
2
Which of patent filing, trademark registration, annuity, or renewal is the most urgent priority
3
Whether to verify the official portal, search system, and key deadlines before moving to a quote or engagement

The sections below cover each module — use the navigation to jump directly to what you need.

Patent System & Process

Patent System in Greece

Greek patents can be filed directly with OBI or obtained via EPO validation. Greece is an EPO and PCT member; PCT national phase deadline is 31 months from the priority date. National patents are valid for 20 years from the filing date, subject to annual fees. Greece also has a Utility Model (Certificate of Utility) — 7-year term extendable to 10 years, granted without substantive examination.

OBI National Filing vs EPO Validation ▾

**OBI National Filing**: For Greece-only coverage; fees are lower, OBI conducts substantive examination. **EPO Validation**: After EPO grant, a Greek translation must be filed with OBI within the prescribed period and validation fees paid to keep the European patent in force in Greece. **Utility Model (Certificate of Utility)**: Granted without substantive examination; valid for 7 years (extendable to 10). Suitable for rapid market protection.

Source: OBI; Law 1733/1987 on Technology Transfer; EPO validation requirements

PCT National Phase Entry — Greece ▾

- Deadline: **31 months** from the priority date - Must be submitted in **Greek** (or enter via EPO and validate after grant) - In practice, most filers use the EPO route with Greek validation rather than direct OBI PCT national phase - A Greek or European patent attorney must be appointed

Source: WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide — GR; OBI guidelines

Madrid System and EUIPO ▾

Greece joined the Madrid Protocol in 2000. Options for trademark coverage in Greece: 1. **OBI National Application** (Greece only) 2. **EUIPO EU Trade Mark (EUTM)** (all EU member states, including Greece) 3. **Madrid International Application designating Greece or EU** For most international applicants, the EUTM route offers the best value.

Source: WIPO Madrid Registry; EUIPO official guidelines

Trademark System & Process

Trademark System in Greece

Greek trademarks can be obtained via OBI (national) or EUIPO (EU Trade Mark). National registrations are valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely. As an EU member, the EUTM automatically covers Greece and is the most common approach for international applicants.

Trademark Examination Process ▾

**OBI National**: Formal review → substantive examination on absolute grounds → 3-month publication period → registration. Typical timeline: ~12–18 months (without opposition). **EUIPO EUTM**: Single application covering all EU states (including Greece); ~4–6 months without opposition.

Source: OBI trademark procedures; EUIPO guidelines

Term and Renewal ▾

Greek national trademark: 10 years from the application date; renewable every 10 years. EUTM renewals are also 10-year cycles, handled with EUIPO.

Source: OBI; EUIPO

Patent Annuity

Greece Patent Annuities

OBI national patent annuities are due from year 4 (continuing after grant until expiry). For EPO-validated patents, annuities are paid per the EPO/respective national office schedule.

Source: OBI fee schedule; EPO annuity guidelines

Annuity Reference → Managed Annuities

Trademark Renewal

Greece Trademark Renewals

Greek national trademark renewals should be filed within 6 months before expiry, with a 6-month grace period with a surcharge. EUTM renewals are filed with EUIPO.

Source: OBI trademark renewal rules; EUIPO renewal guidelines

Renewal Reference → Managed Renewals

FAQ

Common Questions — Greece IP

Should I file a Greek patent via OBI or EPO? ▾

OBI national filing is more cost-effective for Greece-only coverage. EPO or PCT routes are better for multi-country European protection. OBI allows an interim Utility Model for rapid interim protection.

Does Greece have a utility model? ▾

Yes. Greece has a Certificate of Utility, valid for 7 years (extendable to 10), granted without substantive examination. It is useful for inventions needing rapid protection.

What is the PCT national phase deadline for Greece? ▾

31 months from the priority date. In practice, most applicants use the EPO route with Greek validation rather than direct PCT national phase entry with OBI.

Does Greece support DAS (Digital Access Service)? ▾

Yes, OBI participates in WIPO DAS, supporting digital access to priority documents.

Is an EU Trade Mark (EUTM) valid in Greece? ▾

Yes. As an EU member state, a EUTM registered with EUIPO automatically covers Greece with no separate OBI filing needed.

Can a Madrid application designate Greece? ▾

Yes. You can designate Greece (via OBI) or the EU (via EUIPO EUTM) in a Madrid application — both cover Greece. Designating the EU is typically more cost-effective.

Is there an accelerated examination track in Greece? ▾

OBI offers priority examination under certain conditions. EPO route applicants can also use the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH).

How long does Greek trademark examination take? ▾

OBI national applications typically take ~12–18 months (without opposition); EUIPO EUTM takes ~4–6 months (without opposition).

Must Greek trademark applications be in Greek? ▾

OBI national applications must be in Greek. EUIPO EUTM applications can be in any official EU language (with a second language designated for proceedings).

Are there use requirements for Greek trademarks? ▾

Yes. Greek trademarks (both national and EUTM) are vulnerable to cancellation/revocation for non-use within 5 years of registration if genuine use is not demonstrated.

From which year do Greek patent annuities start? ▾

OBI national patent annuities begin from year 4 of filing. EPO-validated patents follow the EPO annuity schedule.

Is Greece covered by the EU Unitary Patent? ▾

Yes. Greece is a participating state for the EU Unitary Patent, meaning a single Unitary Patent covers Greece (and all other participating EU states) with a single annual fee.

Is a local representative required in Greece? ▾

For OBI national applications, foreign applicants must appoint a Greek-registered patent attorney. For EPO applications, a European Patent Attorney must be appointed.

Does OBI accept English patent applications? ▾

OBI direct filings must be in Greek. EPO applications in English can be validated in Greece after grant; a Greek translation of the claims may be required — check the latest OBI guidelines on London Agreement status.

Is there a grace period for late annuity payments in Greece? ▾

Yes, OBI generally allows a 6-month late payment window with a surcharge. Payments beyond the grace period result in lapse of the patent.

Official Reference Sources

Sources for This Page

OBI Official Website www.obi.gr EUIPO EU Trade Mark www.euipo.europa.eu EPO — Greece Member www.epo.org WIPO — Greece Profile www.wipo.int/members/en/details.jsp?country_id=72 WIPO Madrid — Greece www.wipo.int/madrid/en/members/

Content based on official sources above, last reviewed: 2026-04. In case of discrepancy with the latest official publications, official sources prevail.

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