Munich, Stuttgart and Ludwigshafen lead in patent applications in Europe

The European Patent Office recorded more than 200,000 patent applications for the first time in 2025. According to the current "Technology Dashboard 2025", a total of 201,974 applications were received. This is an increase of 1.4% compared to the previous year. This continues the long-term growth trend in the European innovation system.

While applications from Europe increased slightly by 0.4%, the number of applications from non-EU countries grew more strongly (+2.1%). Patent applications are considered an important early indicator for investment in research and development.

Germany remains Europe's innovation driver

Germany maintains its position as the leading country in Europe and ranks second worldwide behind the USA. A total of 24,476 patents were filed in Germany, a decrease of 2.2% compared to the previous year.

Despite this slight decline, Germany still accounts for 12.1% of all applications to the European Patent Office. The USA remains the global leader with over 47,000 applications, while China overtakes Japan for the first time with strong growth and moves up to third place.

Computer technology and AI drive innovation

Computer technology remains a key growth driver and will continue to be the most important field of technology in 2025. AI-related innovations (+9.5%) and quantum technologies (+37.9%) are developing particularly dynamically.

Digital communication is also experiencing strong growth (+11.4%), driven by global competition for 6G technologies. In the energy and electrical systems sector, battery technologies in particular are benefiting from increasing innovation activities.

Germany strong in industrial and future technologies

In Germany, energy, transportation and computer technology are among the most important fields of innovation. Particularly noteworthy is the growth in computer technology (+10.3%), which is above the international average.

In the transportation sector, particularly in the automotive sector, Germany remains the leader despite declining figures and holds the largest share of European patent applications in this segment at 17.6%.

Large corporations and research institutions dominate rankings

Asian technology groups such as Samsung, Huawei and LG continue to be among the world's largest patent applicants. From Germany, Siemens and BASF make it into the top 10, while Robert Bosch is also one of the leading applicants. In the field of research institutions, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft once again takes the top position in Europe.

Southern Germany as the innovation center of Europe

There is also a strong regional concentration: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia are among the most innovative regions in Europe. Bavaria ranks second in Europe, behind the French region of Île-de-France.

At city level, Munich remains the leading patent metropolis in Europe, followed by Stuttgart and Ludwigshafen.

Global competition continues to increase

International competition continues to intensify. While the USA is maintaining its leading position, China (+9.7%) and South Korea (+9.5%) in particular are growing dynamically. Patent applications from China have more than tripled since 2016.

Overall, 57% of all patent applications at the European Patent Office now come from countries outside Europe - a sign of the global importance of the European patent system.

Unitary patent gains in importance

The Unitary Patent, which will be introduced in 2023, is increasingly becoming an important instrument for the European single market. With over 80,000 applications and a utilization rate of 28.7% in 2025, it considerably simplifies patent protection in 18 EU member states.

German companies are also increasingly using the system: the rate is 37.6%, which is slightly higher than the previous year.