WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide AL - Albania
General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Albania)

    Applicable à partir de 12 décembre 2025
    (publié le 12 décembre 2025)

    Résumé des dernières modifications de cette version
    Useful information: List of abbreviations (new legislation)
    GENERAL INFO: Provisional protection after international publication
    The procedure in the national Phase: Various
    Annexes: How can payment of fees be effected
    Liste des changements

    Useful information

    The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    List of abbreviations used in this document:
    Office: General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Albania)
    APL: Albanian Industrial Property Law No. 53/2025 of 3 July 2025 “on patents, utility models and supplementary protection certificates”
    List of currencies used in this document:
    ALL (Albanian lek), CHF (Swiss franc)
    Countries and Offices information:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    Office profile
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    Office Closed dates
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    International Phase

    Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

    Contracting State:
    Albania
    Two-letter code:
    AL
    Name of Office:
    General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Albania)
    Location:
    Bulevardi “Zhan D’Ark”
    Prona Nr. 33
    Shtëpia e Ushtarakëve
    Tirana
    Albania
    Mailing address:
    Same as above
    Telephone:
    0800 1993 (toll-free in Albania)
    E-mail:
    info@dppi.gov.al
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    None
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    No
    Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
    Yes, provided that the delivery service is:
    DHL,
    TNT
    Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
    AL,
    EP,
    IB
    Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
    Refer to the Office
    Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
    National protection: AL
    European patent: EP
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    National:
    Patents,
    Utility models
    European:
    Patents
    Payment methods accepted by the Office:
    Refer to the Office
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    None
    Provisional protection after international publication:
    Where the designation is made for the purposes of a national patent:
    Any international application designating Albania which has been published under PCT Article 21 shall give rise to the same rights as those which the Albanian law provides for the compulsory national publication of unexamined national applications as such. Provisional protection shall be effective as from the date on which an Albanian translation of the claims of the international application is published by the Office (Article 145, Albanian Industrial Property Law “on patents, utility models and supplementary protection certificates”).
    Where the designation is made for the purposes of a European patent and:
    (1) the international application is published in one of the EPO official languages: the applicant has the right to seek compensation reasonable in the circumstances for any infringement, on condition that any national requirements relating to the translation of the claims in the application have been met (refer to Articles 67 and 153(4) EPC); or
    For further details on the national law relating to the EPC refer to http://www.epo.org/patents/law/legal-texts/national-law-epc.html in particular, “Rights conferred by a European patent application after publication pursuant to Article 93 EPC (Article 67 EPC)” and “Translations for obtaining provisional protection”.
    (2) the international application is published in a language which is not an EPO official language: the protection referred to in (1) does not become effective until the EPO publishes the international application supplied to it in one of its official languages (refer to Article 153(4) EPC and Article 134(2), Albanian Industrial Property Law “on patents, utility models and supplementary protection certificates”).
    Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
    For national protection
    Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
    Must be in the request. If the data concerning the inventor are missing at the expiration of the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1)(a), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of three months from the date of the invitation.
    Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
    Yes, refer to Annex L.
    For a European patent
    Refer to Annex B(EP)

    Annex C - Receiving Office

    Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
    Albania
    Language in which international applications may be filed:
    Albanian,
    English
    Language accepted for language-dependent free text in the sequence listing:
    The Office has not specifically notified the International Bureau of the language that it accepts under PCT Rule 12.1(d).
    Same as above
    Language in which the request may be filed:
    English
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    3
    Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this must be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format. If the receiving Office does not accept international applications in electronic form in such format, the international application will be transmitted to the International Bureau as receiving Office (PCT Rule 19.4(a)(ii-bis)).
    For the relevant notification by the Office, refer to Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 11 August 2022, pages 217 et seq.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
    Yes, any format
    Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
    Yes, the Office applies the “due care” criterion to such requests
    Competent International Searching Authority:
    EP
    Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
    EP
    Fees payable to the RO:
    Transmittal fee:
    9,000 ALL
    International filing fee:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    1,330 CHF
    Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    15 CHF
    Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    200 CHF
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    300 CHF
    Search fee:
    Refer to
    Annex D(EP)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    3,000 ALL
    Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):
    7,000 ALL
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No, if the applicant resides in Albania or if the applicant is a legal entity established under Albanian law
    Yes, in all other cases
    Who can act as agent?
    Any patent agent registered to practice before the Office
    Waiver of power of attorney:
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office

    Annex L - Deposits of Microorganisms and Other Biological Material

    Requirements of designated and elected Offices
    Only Offices whose applicable national law contains provisions concerning the deposits of microorganisms and other biological material are listed in Annex L. Unless otherwise indicated, deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before these Offices with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
    For a list of these institutions refer to:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/pdf/idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/section_d/subsection_c.html)
    Notifications related thereto may be consulted under:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/
    Further information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:
    http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/index.html
    Time (if any) earlier than 16 months from priority date by which applicant must furnish:
    — the indications prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii):
    None
    — any additional indications:
    At the time of filing (as part of the application)
    Additional indications (if any) which must be given besides those prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii) pursuant to notifications from the Office:
    To the extent available to the applicant, relevant information on the characteristics of the microorganism
    Additional information
    Deposits may also be made for the purposes of patent procedure before the General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Albania) with any depositary institution specialized for that purpose.

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(3): 31 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care" criterion.
    Fee for reinstatement
    7,000 ALL
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Albanian
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22: Claims (if amended, as amended only)
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Claims (if amended, only as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    No
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Refer to the Office
    National fees:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Patents
    Filing fee
    7,000 ALL
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    6,000 ALL
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    None
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of two months from the date of the invitation.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant does not reside in Albania or is not a legal entity established under Albanian law
    Name of the inventor if this has not been indicated in the “Request” part of the international application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    If someone, other than the inventor, applies for a patent, the application shall contain a declaration indicating the applicant’s right to the invention
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Any document relating to any transfer or assignment of the right to the application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Who can act as agent?
    Any patent agent registered to practice before the Office
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes, under the "due care" criterion
    Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
    Yes, the Office applies the “due care” criterion to such requests

    The procedure in the national Phase

    AL.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs NP 6.002 and NP 6.003).
    AL.02 TRANSLATION OF PRIORITY DOCUMENT
    APL Art. 40(3),
    PCT Rule 51bis.1(e)

    The Office will invite the applicant to furnish a translation into Albanian of the priority document but only if there is any doubt concerning the validity of the priority claim and that document is in a language other than Albanian, English, French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish.
    AL.03 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this chapter is outlined in Annex AL.I.
    AL.04 POWER OF ATTORNEY
    APL Art. 16
    An agent must be appointed by filing a power of attorney. A model is given in Annex AL.II.
    AL.05 EXAMINATION
    APL Art. 59
    The Office shall issue patents without conducting a substantive examination of the patentability of inventions. The value of any invention or the accuracy of its accompanying documents shall be entirely the applicant’s responsibility.
    AL.06 AMENDMENT AND CORRECTION OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 28,
    PCT Article 41

    Until grant the applicant has the right, on his own initiative, to make amendments and/or corrections to the application provided that the scope of the application as filed is not broadened thereby.
    AL.07 ANNUAL FEES
    APL Art. 89
    The maintenance of the application is subject to the payment of annual fees. The annual renewal fee, shall be paid for the third year and each subsequent year, starting from the date of filing the application. Annual fees not paid within the applicable time limit may still be paid within six months from the expiration of that time limit against payment of an additional fee (refer to Annex AL.I). This time period may be extended by two months by paying an additional fee to postpone the renewal deadline. If the renewal fee has not been paid within the applicable time limit, the Office, within two months from the end of the six-month deadline, notifies the applicant that he/she may postpone the six-month deadline by another two months. Notifications are made only to addresses in Albania.
    AL.08 CONVERSION OF PATENT APPLICATION INTO UTILITY MODEL APPLICATION
    APL Art. 70
    The applicant has the right to file a request with the Office for the conversion of a patent application into a utility model application. After examining the request, the Office shall take the relevant decision.
    AL.09 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    PCT Article 25,
    PCT Rule 51,
    APL Art. 87,
    APL Art. 146,
    APL Art. 158

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase. If, upon review under PCT Article 25, the Office denies an error or omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an appeal against this decision may be lodged within two months from the date of the decision with the Board of Appeals upon payment of a fee. Appeals against the decisions of the Appeals Board of the GDIP shall be filed with the Administrative Court of First Instance of Tirana within 45 days from the date of the reasoned decision.
    AL.10
    APL Art. 159
    Continued processing may be requested where the applicant has failed to observe a time limit fixed by the Office and that failure results in a loss of rights conferred by a patent application or a patent. The Office shall authorize continued processing if the applicant files a request and performs all the omitted acts within the prescribed time limit. Continued processing may not be requested for the reinstatement of the right of priority.
    AL.11
    APL Art. 27
    Reinstatement of rights may be requested where the applicant, in spite of all due care required by the circumstances, failed to observe a time limit set by the Office, which results in a loss of rights. If the request is granted, the legal consequences of the failure to observe the time limit shall be deemed not to have ensued.
    AL.12 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 24(2),
    PCT Article 48(2),
    PCT Rule 82bis

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase. Where during the international phase or before the Office the applicant has missed a time limit for performing any act in relation to the international application, such time limit may be extended by the Office upon request by the applicant and where justified.

    Annexes

    Annex AL.I - Fees
    Patents
    Filing fee:
    7,000 ALL
    Fee for grant:
    6,000 ALL
    Annual fees:
    — for the 2nd year:
    5,000 ALL
    — for the 3rd year:
    6,000 ALL
    — for the 4th year:
    8,000 ALL
    — for the 5th year:
    10,000 ALL
    — for the 6th year:
    12,000 ALL
    — for the 7th year:
    14,000 ALL
    — for the 8th year:
    18,000 ALL
    — for the 9th year:
    20,000 ALL
    — for the 10th year:
    25,000 ALL
    — for the 11th year:
    27,000 ALL
    — for the 12th year:
    30,000 ALL
    — for the 13th year:
    35,000 ALL
    — for the 14th year:
    40,000 ALL
    — for the 15th year:
    45,000 ALL
    — for the 16th year:
    50,000 ALL
    — for the 17th year:
    55,000 ALL
    — for the 18th year:
    60,000 ALL
    — for the 19th year:
    65,000 ALL
    — for the 20th year:
    70,000 ALL
    Fee for late payment of the annual fee:
    — within six months from the expiration of the time limit:
    50% of the applicable annual fee
    — within two months from the end of the six-month deadline:
    100% of the applicable annual fee
    Fee for reinstatement of rights:
    7,000 ALL
    Fee for restoration of the right of priority:
    7,000 ALL
    Utility models
    Filing fee:
    6,000 ALL
    Fee for grant:
    6,000 ALL
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    All fees must be paid in Albanian leks, by bank transfer, by money order or check. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paid. Any payment by money order or check must be made to the account of the Office at the Banka Kombetare Tregtare.
    Beneficiary’s name: Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Pronësisë Industriale
    Bank name: Banka Kombetare Tregtare
    Bank Account No.: 515003225CLPBCLALLZQ
    Bank Address: Shkolla Baletit, Tirana, Albania
    BIC/SWIFT code: NCBAALTXXXX
    Forms
    The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
    Annex AL.II - Power of attorney
    Version actuelle applicable à partir du 12 décembre 2025 , imprimée le 12 février 2026
    2.2 #71 - 2026-02-10T18:40:34.131+01:00