Enrolment and organisation

Compulsory registration

Enrolment will only be open for candidates who have registered at the latest by 31 May 2026. See OJ EPO 2026, A8.
All information can be found under "Registration as candidate" at the EPO website.

Enrolment periods 

1. Foundation paper F 2027

Candidates may enrol as from 8 April 2026. Applications must be submitted no later than 30 September 2026 via the EQC portal. 
 

2. Main examination 2027 (Papers M1 TO M4)

Candidates may enrol as from 7 July 2026. Applications must be submitted no later than 30 September 2026 via the EQC portal. 

For more details, for example on payment of fees, withdrawal, enrolment process, required period of professional activity (patent attorney trainees; EPO examiners), choice of papers, fees and fee subsidies, etc., please refer to the EPO website.

If you have questions about the EQE or the Regulation on the EQE, please get in touch with the Examination Secretariat of the European Patent Office, using the official EPO contact form.