How much does a patent application cost, in the US vs the EU?

A US utility patent typically costs $8,000 to $25,000 all in through issuance, including USPTO fees of about $1,820 for standard entities, $910 for small entities, or $364 for micro entities in 2026. A European patent (EPO) typically costs €15,000 to €30,000 through grant, including roughly €6,000 in official EPO fees plus attorney and drafting fees, and that's before validating the granted patent in individual countries, which adds €500 to €3,000 per country, or a single roughly €1,775 Unitary Patent fee for coverage across 18 EU states. Maintenance fees are separate in both systems: US fees are due at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years post grant, while EPO renewal fees are due annually starting in year 3, even before grant. Confirming entity or reduction status correctly before filing is the single biggest cost lever most applicants miss on either side.

Sources: USPTO Fee Schedule, 37 CFR § 1.16, EPO.