Key Deadline: 3 Months from Grant Publication

European patents must be validated in Türkiye:

  • Within 3 months from the publication of the decision to grant in the European Patent Bulletin (B1)

This deadline is strict, non-extendable and critical for maintaining protection.

Translation Requirement: Additional 3-Month Option

While the validation request must be filed within 3 months:

  • The Turkish translation of the specification (description, claims and drawings)
  • May be filed within an additional 3 months (total of 6 months)

Conditions:

  • The validation request must still be filed within the initial 3 months
  • An additional official fee (typically around 50%) must be paid

Example:

  • Grant publication: 01 June 2026
  • Validation deadline: 01 September 2026
  • Late translation deadline: 01 December 2026

Consequences of Missing the Deadline

Failure to validate within the prescribed time limits results in:

  • The European patent being deemed never to have had effect in Türkiye

Required Documents

To validate a European patent in Türkiye, the following are required:

  • European patent B1 publication (grant decision)
  • Full Turkish translation (description, claims, drawings)
  • Validation request and proof of official fee payment

Filing only the claims translation is not sufficient.

Power of Attorney

  • A Power of Attorney is not required for validation
  • Foreign applicants must act through a Turkish patent attorney

Once validated:

  • The patent is published in the Turkish Patent Bulletin
  • It has the same legal effect as a national patent in Türkiye

Provisional Protection

Before grant, European patent applications may provide provisional protection in Türkiye if:

  • Turkish translation of claims is filed
  • Publication or notification to third parties takes place

This enables the application to be asserted against third parties under certain conditions.

Scope of Protection: Which Text Prevails?

In Türkiye:

  • The Turkish translation determines the scope of protection

If the translation is narrower than the original text:

  • Protection is limited accordingly

Exception:

  • In invalidity proceedings, the original text may be taken into consideration

Corrected Translations

  • Corrected translations may be filed at any time (subject to fee payment)
  • They become effective only upon publication

Third parties acting in good faith based on the earlier version remain protected.

Annuities

Following validation:

  • Payments follow the timeline under the European Patent Convention (EPC)

If an annuity falls due within 3 months after grant publication, it may be paid within that period without surcharge.

No Double Protection

Turkish law does not allow parallel protection:

  • The same invention cannot be protected simultaneously by a national patent and a European patent

Upon validation:

  • The corresponding national patent becomes ineffective

Türkiye and the London Agreement

Türkiye is not a party to the London Agreement .

Accordingly:

  • Full Turkish translation of the specification is required

Practical Considerations

Key practical risks include:

  • Missing strict deadlines
  • Incomplete or inaccurate translations
  • Misinterpretation of procedural requirements

For further details and frequently asked questions, please visit: FAQs on European Patent Validations in Turkey