The National Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) reported that patent applications in Hungary increased by 58% in the first nine months of this year compared with the same period last year; filings originating from Hungarian applicants rose by 57%. These figures were presented by Farkas Szabolcs, president of the SZTNH, in an interview with Portfolio. The authority says the upward trend has been visible for about three years and reflects not only increased activity by foreign players but also growing IP awareness among domestic researchers, companies and universities.
Hungary’s position in international rankings
In the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Innovation Index, Hungary ranked 36th out of 139 countries, the same position as the previous year. The index assesses not only R&D expenditures but also the results those inputs produce, including patent activity, trademark filings and other intellectual property indicators.
According to the SZTNH, Hungary appears to use its innovation resources more efficiently than pure expenditure figures would suggest. Among specific improvements, Hungary moved up in GDP‑adjusted rankings for Hungarian‑origin patent filings from 49th to 34th, and trademark filings also showed significant progress.
Drivers behind the improvement
The increase reflects several factors: economic growth, rising innovation investments, and a broader cultural shift toward protecting inventions. Universities and research institutes have notably changed practices: many now assess whether research results might warrant patent or other IP protection before publication. Meanwhile, large companies, SMEs, startups and individual inventors have all shown higher filing activity.
The SZTNH plays an active role in raising IP awareness. The office helps map prior inventions, offers a patent fast‑track for universities, and assists innovators in finding grant and funding opportunities related to IP protection and commercialization.
More inventions and more protection
The rise in numbers represents both an increase in new inventions and a greater tendency to protect them legally. IP protection provides not only legal rights but also a foundation for commercial exploitation, licensing, product and service development, which can generate revenue and competitive advantage over time.
Measuring the business value created from filings can be done using several indicators: company revenues and profits, company valuation, and for universities, licensing deals and licensing income. Studies typically find that organizations that actively use IP protection show stronger financial performance.
Deep tech and highlighted Hungarian companies
The Global Innovation Index paid special attention this year to deep tech companies—firms that commercialize scientific breakthroughs. For such businesses, intellectual assets—patents, know‑how or specialized technological expertise—are central to their operations and value creation. The Index singled out several Hungarian deep tech firms, including aiMotive (developing autonomous driving technologies) and Turbine AI (working in drug research). These companies share high knowledge intensity, deliberate IP strategies, and an international market focus.
Sectors with breakout potential
In the interview, Farkas emphasized artificial intelligence as a key area for growth. Hungary’s traditional strengths in pharmaceuticals and medical technology remain important, and promising opportunities exist in electronics and instrumentation, battery and energy storage technologies, and developments related to the electric vehicle industry. Biotechnology and dual‑use (civil and defense) technologies were also noted as relevant sectors aligned with broader European technology trends.
Sustainability of the trend and next steps
The SZTNH considers the improvement sustainable but notes that future progress depends on how Hungary’s innovation environment and strategic policies evolve. Continued efforts to promote the importance of IP protection, provide clear guidance, and engage young people are priorities. Beyond universities, outreach to secondary schools and teachers is part of the plan to steer more young people toward innovation and inventive activity.
Overall, the figures—the 58% overall increase, the 57% rise in Hungarian‑origin filings, and the jump in GDP‑adjusted rankings—suggest that an increasing share of Hungarian research is being translated into protected, potentially commercializable technologies, and that the use of IP tools is becoming more widespread across the innovation ecosystem.
