Inventors and researchers from Germany filed more than 25,000 patent applications with the European Patent Office (EPO) last year, slightly exceeding the previous year’s total. According to new data released by the EPO, Germany maintained its position as the second-largest source of patent applications globally, following the United States.
In 2024, a total of 25,033 patent applications were submitted from Germany — an increase of 0.4% compared to the previous year. The United States remained the clear leader, filing 47,787 patents in Europe. Japan, China, and South Korea followed, completing the list of the top five patent-filing countries.
Slight Increase in European Submissions
The EPO registered a total of 199,264 patent applications from around the world. While filings from countries outside Europe declined slightly by 0.4%, the number of applications originating from Europe rose by 0.3%.
According to EPO President António Campinos, this increase reflects the “technological edge and continued commitment to research and development” demonstrated by European companies and inventors. The modest rise in applications from Europe is seen as a positive sign, reinforcing the region’s steady investment in innovation.
Germany Leads in Transport-Related Innovations
Germany performed particularly well in the transport sector, which encompasses not only the automotive industry but also rail, aviation, and aerospace technologies. These areas continue to be strongholds of German engineering and technological innovation.
However, it was the field of computer technology that topped all categories in 2024. This domain includes cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and pattern recognition — all of which have seen a surge in innovation and patent activity.
Battery and Energy Patents on the Rise
Another notable area of growth was in electrical machinery, equipment, and energy, which saw an 8.6% rise in patent filings. Much of this increase is attributed to advancements in battery technology, which is becoming increasingly important in sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
Conversely, digital communication — which includes mobile network technologies — experienced a decline of 6.3% in patent applications. This drop comes despite the rapid evolution of mobile connectivity and could reflect a shift in industry focus toward other areas of technological development.
Top Companies in the Patent Race
When it comes to corporate patent activity, South Korean tech giant Samsung led the way in Europe, followed by China’s Huawei and LG. German firms also featured prominently in the rankings, with Siemens and BASF securing the sixth and seventh positions respectively.
These results highlight the continuing strength of German and European innovation, especially in key industrial and technological sectors. As the global competition for technological leadership intensifies, Germany’s steady performance in patent filings underlines its resilience and capacity for forward-looking development.
