The European Patent Office (EPO) welcomes students in their "Rechtsreferendarzeit" (period of practical training between the first and second state exams for law students in Germany). The legal internship takes place at the EPO in Munich.

The "Rechtsreferendariat" is a two-year preparation period that law students in Germany must complete before taking the second state exam in law, which eventually qualifies the candidate to work as a lawyer. Although its structure is similar in all federal states of Germany, each organises its own programme. in which the candidate takes the exam. One part of the "Rechtsreferendariat" is the "Wahlpflichtpraktikum" (a compulsory internship in a legal area of the candidate's own choice), which can, inter alia, be undertaken in the area of international law and EU law and lasts three months.

Apply if you meet the following programme requirements:

• You have successfully completed the first German state exam in law ("erstes Staatsexamen") and have been admitted as a "Rechtsreferendar" in preparation for the second German state exam.


• You are a national of one of the EPO member states.


• You have excellent knowledge of one of the EPO's official languages (English, French and German) and good knowledge of one of the other official languages.


• You have the capacity to analyse problems and find appropriate solutions, the ability to work independently as well as within a team, willingness to take on responsibility, organisational and prioritisation skills, customer service skills, excellent communication skills, professionalism, flexibility, self-initiative, personal integrity, discretion and respect for confidentiality.

With us you will:

• learn on the job, guided by a tutor and experienced colleagues


• work with inspiring people from a variety of cultures in the context of a vibrant international organisation


• get hands-on experience of working in a dynamic environment


• feel empowered to grow in your role and take on responsibilities

Selection procedure

Preselected candidates will be invited to an online interview.

Application process

Please apply by completing the online application form, ensuring you include the documents indicated below:

• CV (specifying your language levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)


• degree obtained on completion of the first state examination in law ("erstes Staatsexamen")


• certificate of employment as a "Rechtsreferendar" motivation letter

Please note that applications are accepted all year round for this rolling vacancy. Candidates will be contacted as soon as the need arises in the relevant department.

Areas offering "Rechtsreferendariat" at the EPO

Within the "Rechtsreferendariat" programme, the EPO invites applications for internships in three areas. You will have the possibility to indicate your preferred department when answering the application questions.

Principal Directorate Legal Affairs

This principal directorate develops legally sound solutions to patent law related and legal issues with a strategic, policy, institutional or external dimension. It contributes to the evolution of the legal framework of the European and international patent system and identifies and shapes patent law trends in emerging technologies. The principal directorate, which also acts as the Office's legal advisor and facilitates sound and efficient governance, both externally and internally, consists of two directorates: Directorate Patent Developments and IP Lab and Directorate Institutional and Contract Law, which together provide legal analysis and advice on a wide range of key issues, including legal policy in relation to the Unitary Patent, the fostering of patent law harmonisation at both global and European level, the drafting of patent-related agreements and legislative proposals, as well as the external relations and governance of the EPO as a legal entity and as an international organisation, and general legal and institutional matters. 

Principal Directorate Patent Law and Procedures 

This principle directorate is the single point of contact for stakeholders for all patent law and procedure-related issues in operations under the European Patent Convention (EPC) and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), as well as for policy aspects relating to patentability of inventions under the current legal provisions. The principal directorate safeguards an up-to-date patent system in Europe by further developing and streamlining the European Patent Office’s practices and procedures and providing for a sound and efficient legal and procedural framework. To this extent, external and internal communication items, working instructions for EPO examiners and formalities officers, as well as the EPC-Guidelines and PCT-EPO Guidelines are drafted by the PD ensuring an accurate and effective application of the law. Furthermore, PD53 represents the President of the EPO in the cases before the Enlarged Board of Appeal. The PD is also responsible for the EPO's legal framework and operational instructions relating to the Unitary Patent, a major achievement shaping the European patent system. The principle directorate is made up of two Directorates: Directorate Patent Law and Processes and Directorate Procedural Guidance and Registers, which together ensure the correct application of patent law within operations, the administration of the European Patent Register, the Register of representatives and the Register for unitary patent protection, as well as the operational implementation of the EPO’s Unitary Patent-related tasks.

Data Protection Office

The Data Protection Office, with its dynamic and highly committed team, is the focal point for monitoring the respect of the fundamental rights to data protection and privacy by the Office. It provides advice to the President, Administrative Council and managers in their role of delegated controllers on complex legal matters and the application of the Data Protection Rules, highlighting potential risks and sharing knowledge on data protection. In this context, the DPO provides input on all activities which involve the processing of personal data by the Office. It also offers support to internal and external data subjects to ensure that they understand and can effectively exercise their rights. The DPO is involved in policy drafting and issues guidance documents on various topics. It also creates and delivers training modules (i.a. e-Learnings) and organises awareness raising activities and events. Finally, in the framework of its responsibilities, the DPO conducts data protection audits and risk assessments. The activity of the DPO is guided by the values of fair-mindedness, integrity, transparency and pragmatism. 

Boards of Appeal, Legal Services

The Boards of Appeal are the first and final judicial instance in the patent granting procedures before the EPO. They have the task of reviewing contested decisions of the EPO's administrative departments within the framework of the European Patent Convention and are headed by the President of the Boards of Appeal.

The Legal Services Directorate of the Boards of Appeal, which reports directly to the President of the Boards of Appeal and is headed by his deputy, is composed of two departments: the Legal Advice Service and the Legal Research Service.

The Legal Advice Service of the Boards of Appeal advises the President of the Boards of Appeal on a wide range of legal matters, in particular in the form of legal and strategic advice on governance and institutional issues. It also co-ordinates and implements legislative initiatives.

The Legal Research Service of the Boards of Appeal provides patent-related legal support and advice to the Boards of Appeal and produces comprehensive information on the case law of the Boards of Appeal for both in-house staff and the public. It also assists the President of the Boards of Appeal and his deputy on patent-related issues.