Swiss patents have a maximum protection period of 20 years. Annual renewal fees must be paid to maintain the patent in force. Important: Fees start from the 5th year and increase periodically. In Switzerland, there is no distinction between entity types (individuals vs. companies) for renewal fees.
Example: For a patent filed on March 15, 2020, the renewal fee for the 5th year must be paid by December 31, 2024 (for the following year 2025).
| Patent Year | Renewal Fee (CHF) | Payment Deadline / Relevant Period |
|---|---|---|
| Year 5 | 100 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 4th year (e.g., for 2025, pay by Dec. 31, 2024) |
| Year 6 | 120 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 5th year |
| Year 7 | 140 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 6th year |
| Year 8 | 170 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 7th year |
| Year 9 | 200 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 8th year |
| Year 10 | 250 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 9th year |
| Year 11 | 300 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 10th year |
| Year 12 | 350 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 11th year |
| Year 13 | 400 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 12th year |
| Year 14 | 500 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 13th year |
| Year 15 | 600 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 14th year |
| Year 16 | 700 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 15th year |
| Year 17 | 800 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 16th year |
| Year 18 | 900 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 17th year |
| Year 19 | 1,000 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 18th year |
| Year 20 | 1,100 | Due by Dec. 31 of the 19th year |
Total renewal fees for 20 years: Approximately 7,730 CHF (for years 5-20 only)
1. The fees listed are the official fees as per the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). The first four years are included in the initial application/registration fees.
2. All renewal fees for Swiss national patents are due by December 31st of the year preceding the year for which the fee is due. This is a key difference from many other countries.
3. A 6-month grace period exists for late payment with a surcharge (50% of the due fee). After the grace period, the patent lapses.
4. Unlike the Indian system, there is no fee difference based on applicant type (individual/company) for Swiss patent renewals.
A Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) extends patent protection for medicinal or plant protection products. In Switzerland, SPCs are subject to annual fees to maintain them in force.
| SPC Year (from grant) | Renewal Fee (CHF) | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 500 | Due by Dec. 31 of the year before the fee year |
| 2nd year | 1,000 | Due by Dec. 31 of the year before the fee year |
| 3rd year | 1,500 | Due by Dec. 31 of the year before the fee year |
| 4th year | 2,000 | Due by Dec. 31 of the year before the fee year |
| 5th year | 2,500 | Due by Dec. 31 of the year before the fee year |
1. SPCs can have a maximum term of up to 5 years (or up to 5.5 years under specific conditions for pediatric medicines).
2. The payment deadline rule (Dec. 31 of the preceding year) and grace period/surcharge are identical to patents.
3. Switzerland does not have a separate, standalone "utility model" system as in some other countries.
Registered designs in Switzerland have an initial term of 5 years from the filing date and can be renewed in 5-year blocks up to a maximum of 25 years. Renewal fees are paid for each 5-year period.
| Protection Period | Renewal Fee (CHF) | Payment Window |
|---|---|---|
| First 5 years | Included in initial registration | No renewal needed |
| Years 6 - 10 | 200 | Within the last year of the preceding period (e.g., pay in year 5 for years 6-10) |
| Years 11 - 15 | 300 | Within the last year of the preceding period |
| Years 16 - 20 | 400 | Within the last year of the preceding period |
| Years 21 - 25 | 500 | Within the last year of the preceding period |
Total renewal fees for 25 years: 1,400 CHF (for four renewal periods after the initial 5 years)
1. The renewal fee is a single payment covering the entire upcoming 5-year period.
2. Payment is due during the final year of the current protection period to secure the next period. There is also a 6-month grace period with a surcharge (100 CHF).
3. It is recommended to pay the renewal fee well before the expiry of the current period to avoid accidental lapse.
1. Mark December 31st: For patents and SPCs, the critical deadline is always December 31st of the preceding year. This is a fixed calendar date, not an anniversary date.
2. Design Renewal Cadence: For designs, mark the expiry years of each 5-year period (year 5, 10, 15, 20) and plan to pay the renewal fee within that final year.
3. No Entity Discounts: Remember that Swiss renewal fees are uniform for all applicants, simplifying the calculation but meaning no small entity discounts are available.
4. Verify with IPI: Fees are subject to change. Always confirm the latest official fee schedule on the website of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) before payment.
Disclaimer: The fees and information are based on the official fee schedule of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). Fees are subject to change. Always verify the latest official rates and rules on the IPI website before making payments. This information is for reference and does not constitute legal advice.
