Europe on the Rise in Quantum Technology Patents
Munich, March 16 – Europe, spearheaded by Germany and France, is making significant strides in the development of quantum technology, narrowing the gap with the United States. This is according to a recent analysis by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), which revealed a substantial increase in quantum patent applications from these two European nations.
The number of published quantum patent applications from Germany and France surged to 195 last year, representing nearly a quarter (23.9 percent) of all applications in this cutting-edge field. This marks a considerable jump from 2021, when only 57 German and French patent applications were recorded, making up just 16.7 percent of the total. Quantum technology is the central theme of this year’s DPMA User Forum, the most important annual event for the Munich-based federal authority.
Understanding Quantum Technology
Quantum technology primarily encompasses three key areas: high-performance quantum computers, encryption-proof quantum communication, and extremely precise measurement methods in quantum sensing. Quanta are considered the smallest, indivisible units that trigger physical interactions. Due to their unique properties, these light and energy building blocks can be utilized by researchers for various applications.
US Still Leads, But Share Declines
Despite Europe’s progress, the United States remained at the forefront in 2025 with 167 published quantum patent applications. However, the US share has decreased from nearly a third (32.2 percent) in 2021 to just over a fifth (20.5 percent). This decline is attributed not only to the advancements made by Germany and France but also to increased development activities in quantum technology by Asian countries.
Global Surge in Quantum Research and Development
The total number of published patent applications has seen a remarkable increase, rising from 341 in 2021 to 815. The top five countries in 2025 for quantum patent applications were the USA, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and France. DPMA President Eva Schewior emphasized the opportunities for Germany, stating, “With its excellent research institutions, strong industrial companies, and innovative start-ups, Germany has enormous potential to help shape decisive innovations in quantum technology.”
For its analysis, DPMA experts evaluated patent applications with effect for Germany at both the German and European Patent Offices, accounting for duplicate counts. These figures serve as an indicator of development activities within companies and scientific institutions, though they do not reflect the very latest developments. Patent applications are only published after an 18-month period, meaning inventions newly filed in 2025 are not yet included in these statistics.
