Bulgaria is a Contracting State of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and a member of the European Patent Convention. Applicants can obtain protection in Bulgaria either by entering the national phase of a PCT application directly in Bulgaria or by pursuing a European patent and validating it in Bulgaria after grant.
Deadline for national phase entry
The time limit for entering the national phase in Bulgaria is 31 months from the earliest priority date for both Chapter I and Chapter II PCT procedures. There is generally no routine extension beyond 31 months, except for limited restoration possibilities in specific circumstances.
Language and translation requirements
For PCT national phase entry, the official language is Bulgarian. Where the international application is published in another language, a Bulgarian translation of the description, claims, drawings, and abstract must be filed within the prescribed time limit. Failure to provide a complete translation in time may result in loss of rights.
Representation
Foreign applicants must be represented before the BPO by a Bulgarian industrial property representative. A power of attorney can typically be filed after entry within a prescribed period, without notarization in standard cases.
Core formal requirements for PCT national phase
Term and maintenance of patents granted via PCT
A patent granted following PCT national phase entry in Bulgaria has the same 20 year term from the international or corresponding national filing date, provided that annual maintenance fees are duly paid. SPC extensions and maintenance rules are the same as for directly filed national patents.