For applications filed on or after 1 January 2002, the following numbering system applies:

The application number consists of nine digits. The first two digits (from left to right) of the application number indicate the filing year. The last digit is a check digit. The remaining six digits in between are used for consecutively numbering the applications in the order in which they arrive at the place of filing, starting from the lowest number within a specific range of six-digit numbers. The specific range reflects the place of filing.

1.7.1 Applications filed before 1 January 2002

1.7.2 Applications filed on or after 1 January 2002

For European patent applications debit orders for the fees due must be filed in an accepted electronic format (see A‑X, 4.2.3), irrespective of how the application itself is filed.

The filing of European patent applications by other means such as email is at present not allowed (see also the Notice dated 12 September 2000, OJ EPO 2000, 458).

Applications may also be filed by fax with the filing offices of the EPO or with the competent national authorities of those contracting states which so permit, namely – at present – Austria (AT), Bulgaria (BG), Czech Republic (CZ), Denmark (DK), Finland (FI), France (FR), Germany (DE), Greece (GR), Iceland (IS), Ireland (IE), Liechtenstein (LI), Luxembourg (LU), Monaco (MC), Norway (NO), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), San Marino (SM), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SI), Spain (ES), Sweden (SE), Switzerland (CH) and United Kingdom (GB).