Despite a record number of European patent applications, Poland saw a decline in filings for 2025, though its pharmaceutical sector experienced significant growth.
Growth Ends, But Top 30 Position Maintained
In 2025, Polish innovators submitted 621 applications to the European Patent Office (EPO), a 10.3% decrease compared to the previous year. However, since 2016, the number of applications from Poland has increased by nearly 58%, while the average growth for the entire EPO in the same period was 27%.
Pharmaceuticals Lead Innovation
The most significant change occurred in the sectoral structure, with pharmaceuticals becoming the leading technological field in Poland for the first time, with 44 applications—a 51.7% year-on-year increase. Machinery and electrical equipment (strongly linked to renewable energy technologies) and medical technology followed.
Universities Drive Patent Activity
Notably, universities and public research institutions account for half of the most important patent applications from Poland. Leading institutions include Jagiellonian University, Gdańsk Medical University, Warsaw University, and the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, highlighting the key role of the academic sector and public funding in building national intellectual capital.
More Women Inventors, Regional Shifts
Poland stands out in Europe for the participation of women in innovation processes. 35% of Polish patent applications list at least one woman as an inventor, placing Poland 5th in the EPO ranking, well above the European average of 26%.
Warsaw remains the regional leader (26.4% of national filings) despite a more than 20% decrease in activity. Małopolska and Lower Silesia also rank among the top three, with Lower Silesia advancing to third place with an 8.5% increase.
Unified Patent a Benefit for SMEs
Polish entrepreneurs are readily utilizing the facilitations introduced in 2023. As much as 59.6% of patents granted to Polish entities have obtained the status of a unitary patent, almost double the global average (28.7%). This solution offers a simplified legal protection path in 18 EU countries, particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Global Race with China Intensifies
Globally, 2025 was a record year, with the EPO receiving 201,974 applications (+1.4%). For the first time, China ranked among the top three countries with the highest number of applications, surpassing Japan. The USA and Germany remain technological leaders, with the most innovations concerning artificial intelligence, 6G networks, and battery technologies.
