---
title: Difference between unitary patent and European patent | AOMB
description: Patents are essentially national rights. This means that patents should basically be filed in each country where you would like to establish patent rights.
---

[Frequently Asked Questions ](https://www.aomb.nl/en/frequentlyaskedquestions)

# [Difference between unitary patent and European patent | AOMB](https://www.aomb.nl/en/frequentlyaskedquestions/difference-between-unitary-patent-and-european-patent)

 Written by [Admin](https://www.aomb.nl/en/frequentlyaskedquestions/author/admin) | Mar 21, 2023 3:07:15 PM

In the end, sooner or later a “country choice” will have to be made. It is possible to file an international (PCT) patent application (a “worldwide patent application”) - such an international patent application gives an applicant a temporary extension of the country selection deadline. However, an international or “worldwide patent” as such does not exist. An international patent application can ultimately also be pursued in “Europe”, with Europe being regarded as one country for the patent granting procedure. At the end of the European patent granting procedure, a choice must then be made between a unitary patent or a “classic” European patent, as explained above.

[View full post](https://www.aomb.nl/en/frequentlyaskedquestions/difference-between-unitary-patent-and-european-patent)

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