According to EPO statistics dated 24 March 2026, the 200,000 mark for European patent applications has been exceeded for the first time in history.

Clear trends underpin this:

• • • Continuous growth in sectors: computer technology, digital communications, electrical machinery, apparatus and energy, medical technology
    • High-tech sectors dominate: digitalisation, AI, medtech and sustainable technologies remain key drivers
    • Internationalisation: an increasing number of applications are coming from companies outside Europe
    • Europeans dominate in transport, measurement technology (including sensors) and specialised machinery (3D printers, various production tools)
    • Europe remains an attractive protection zone, particularly due to harmonisation measures such as the Unitary patent

Why is this relevant?

For companies – whether large corporations or SMEs – this increase means one thing above all:

Innovations are becoming more strategic, global and fiercely competitive.

Applications from the People’s Republic of China rose by 9.7%. By comparison: within Europe, growth in Denmark stands at 5.2% and in Finland at +44%. Germany saw a decline of -2.2%, France -0.4% and Sweden -4.3%.

For us in IP practice, this trend shows:

A well-thought-out patent portfolio is more important today than ever before.

The need for advice is growing – as is the importance of an early and targeted registration strategy.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

March 30, 2026
Vanessa Bockhorni
Patent Attorney

Source:
EPO News dated 24 March 2026:
Demand for European patents in 2025 exceeded 200 000 for first time | epo.org