{"id":678,"date":"2026-02-23T11:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T11:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/law-regulation\/patent-law\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T16:31:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T16:31:45","slug":"patent-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/belgiumpatent.be\/en\/law-regulation\/patent-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Patent law"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Obtaining and enforcing patents in Belgium<\/span> <\/span><\/h1>\n

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Obtaining a patent in Belgium<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]There are two ways to obtain patent protection in Belgium:<\/p>\n

– By applying for a Belgian patent, or<\/p>\n

– By obtaining a European patent and carrying out the required steps to make the European patent effective in Belgium.<\/p>\n

A patent can also be obtained in Belgium via an international application (PCT application). This is possible through a European patent (see point 2. European route), when the international application is continued as a European regional application.<\/p>\n

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1. Applying for a Belgian patent<\/h4>\n

Belgian patents are granted by the Belgian Intellectual Property Office (IPObel), a public service of the federal government.<\/p>\n

The procedure for obtaining a Belgian patent is a registration procedure, with only a formal examination, but no substantive examination. However, the availability of a search report (drawn up by the European Patent Office) is a necessary condition for granting a Belgian patent. A Belgian patent is granted in one of three languages: Dutch, French, or German. <\/p>\n

Belgian patent legislation is contained in Book XI of the Code of Economic Law (CDE) and the Royal Decrees (RD):<\/p>\n