• Patent fees

Fees associated with filing patent applications in Slovakia as well as other patent fees are available in the fee calculator.

• The term for filing patent applications in Slovakia

The term for filing a patent application in Slovakia claiming priority is 12 months from the date of priority. In case this deadline is expired, the application may be filed with the restoration of priority right within 14 months from the priority date.

• Minimum of filing documents in Slovakia

For obtainment of a date of filing the patent application in Slovakia should contain the applicant’s and inventor’s details.

• Language of the Slovak patent application

The patent application must be prosecuted in the national language which is Slovak. The patent application may be filed in any other foreign language; however the Slovak translation should be provided within two months from filing.  

• Priority document

The term for filing the Priority Document is not fixed, but the applicant may be invited by the Slovak PTO to file the Priority Document until the time limit to be specified by the Office. The translation into Slovak is required, only if the applicant is invited to do it by the Slovak PTO.

• Power of Attorney requirements

The non-legalized and non-notarized Power of Attorney is sufficient to perform the patent registration in Slovakia. After filing an application, the Slovak PTO sets the term for filing POA. Usually, it is two months.

• Assignment Deed

If the applicant is not the inventor or one of the inventors, the assignment deed confirming the applicant's right should be submitted. No official legalisation or notarization is required. The term for filing the assignment deed is not fixed; however it may be filed after filing of the application in Slovakia.

• Substantive examination request

Request to conduct the substantive examination of a Slovak patent application has to be filed no later than 36 months after filing an application and cannot be withdrawn. 

• Grace period

If the disclosure of information about the invention has been made by the applicant at the officially recognised exhibition within six months before the date of filing, or, if priority is claimed, before the date of priority, such disclosure does not disprove the novelty of an invention. In this case, the applicant is obliged to state when filing the application that the invention has been exhibited and to provide a certificate of issuance of the invention according to the international convention within four months after the date of filing the application.

• Grant and maintenance fees

The fees for maintaining the patent in force are due for each year of the validity of the patent. The first maintenance fee for the patent is payable upon invitation, within three months from the date of the decision on patent grant, for the period from the filing of the patent application including the year of the decision on grant. For each subsequent year of validity of the patent, the fees are due, without invitation, prior to the expiration of the preceding year of validity. Late payment is possible within six months grace period by paying a corresponding 100% surcharge.

• Representation by a patent attorney

For foreigners, it is required to perform the patent prosecution in Slovakia through an agent, registered Slovak patent attorney.

• Notes

1. Online Search databases: Slovakian Patents, European Patents (EPO).
2. The patent protection in Slovakia may also be obtained via European Patent and its further validation in Slovakia.
3. Inventions may also be protected as Utility Models in Slovakia.  

Brief summary is based on the information provided by MILOJEVIC, SEKULIC & ASSOCIATES on 08.03.2024
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with Slovak IP Laws.