Patent applicants and applications; SIC 2008 and company size

Changed on: 03/08/2026 02:00

Patent applicants and applications; SIC 2008 and company size
Country (UCI)	SIC 2008	Company size	Periods	EPO-Patent applicants (number)	EPO-Patent applications (number)	EPO-Patent Applicants with foreign cooperation (number)	EPO-Patent Applications with foreign cooperation (number)	OCNL-Patent Patent applicants (number)	OCNL-Patent Patent applications (number)	OCNL-Patent Applicants with foreign cooperation (number)	OCNL-Patent Applications with foreign cooperation (number)
Total domestic and foreign	A-U All economic activities	Total employed persons	2017	905	4,260	50	365	1,100	1,665	10	10
Total domestic and foreign	A-U All economic activities	Total employed persons	2018	900	4,195	80	365	1,075	1,635	15	15
Total domestic and foreign	A-U All economic activities	Total employed persons	2019	935	4,270	75	380	1,065	1,720	15	15
Total domestic and foreign	A-U All economic activities	Total employed persons	2020	980	4,255	85	485	1,105	1,645	20	20
Total domestic and foreign	A-U All economic activities	Total employed persons	2021	975	4,310	70	515	1,100	1,635	20	15
Total domestic and foreign	A-U All economic activities	Total employed persons	2022**	915	4,565	75	525	900	1,450	10	15
Total domestic and foreign	A-U All economic activities	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	950	1,470	20	20
Total domestic and foreign	A Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Total employed persons	2017	5	10	0	0	10	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	A Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Total employed persons	2018	5	10	0	0	10	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	A Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Total employed persons	2019	5	10	0	0	15	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	A Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Total employed persons	2020	5	10	0	0	15	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	A Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Total employed persons	2021	10	20	0	0	20	25	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	A Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Total employed persons	2022**	5	20	0	0	10	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	A Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	B Mining and quarrying	Total employed persons	2017	0	5	0	0	0	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	B Mining and quarrying	Total employed persons	2018	0	5	0	0	0	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	B Mining and quarrying	Total employed persons	2019	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	B Mining and quarrying	Total employed persons	2020	5	10	0	0	5	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	B Mining and quarrying	Total employed persons	2021	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	B Mining and quarrying	Total employed persons	2022**	0	5	0	0	0	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	B Mining and quarrying	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	C Manufacturing	Total employed persons	2017	260	2,770	15	115	265	630	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	C Manufacturing	Total employed persons	2018	270	2,610	30	105	260	605	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	C Manufacturing	Total employed persons	2019	295	2,645	25	50	270	690	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	C Manufacturing	Total employed persons	2020	305	2,675	20	60	280	580	0	5
Total domestic and foreign	C Manufacturing	Total employed persons	2021	295	2,690	20	60	280	545	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	C Manufacturing	Total employed persons	2022**	290	2,865	20	65	255	500	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	C Manufacturing	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	235	475	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	D Energy supply	Total employed persons	2017	5	5	0	0	5	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	D Energy supply	Total employed persons	2018	5	5	0	0	5	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	D Energy supply	Total employed persons	2019	5	10	0	0	5	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	D Energy supply	Total employed persons	2020	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	D Energy supply	Total employed persons	2021	5	10	0	0	10	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	D Energy supply	Total employed persons	2022**	0	0	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	D Energy supply	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	E Water supply and waste management	Total employed persons	2017	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	E Water supply and waste management	Total employed persons	2018	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	E Water supply and waste management	Total employed persons	2019	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	E Water supply and waste management	Total employed persons	2020	10	10	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	E Water supply and waste management	Total employed persons	2021	5	10	0	0	5	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	E Water supply and waste management	Total employed persons	2022**	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	E Water supply and waste management	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	10	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	F Construction	Total employed persons	2017	25	35	0	5	40	60	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	F Construction	Total employed persons	2018	15	20	0	0	40	55	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	F Construction	Total employed persons	2019	15	25	0	0	40	50	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	F Construction	Total employed persons	2020	20	25	0	0	45	60	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	F Construction	Total employed persons	2021	30	40	0	0	45	70	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	F Construction	Total employed persons	2022**	20	25	0	0	50	65	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	F Construction	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	35	50	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	G Wholesale and retail trade	Total employed persons	2017	110	295	5	70	140	190	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	G Wholesale and retail trade	Total employed persons	2018	90	205	0	25	125	170	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	G Wholesale and retail trade	Total employed persons	2019	110	205	5	10	130	190	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	G Wholesale and retail trade	Total employed persons	2020	95	200	10	45	135	150	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	G Wholesale and retail trade	Total employed persons	2021	105	215	5	45	130	160	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	G Wholesale and retail trade	Total employed persons	2022**	110	245	10	55	110	140	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	G Wholesale and retail trade	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	105	140	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	H Transportation and storage	Total employed persons	2017	5	10	0	0	5	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	H Transportation and storage	Total employed persons	2018	5	10	0	0	10	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	H Transportation and storage	Total employed persons	2019	10	15	0	0	5	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	H Transportation and storage	Total employed persons	2020	5	10	0	0	10	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	H Transportation and storage	Total employed persons	2021	5	10	0	0	10	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	H Transportation and storage	Total employed persons	2022**	5	5	0	0	10	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	H Transportation and storage	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	I Accommodation and food serving	Total employed persons	2017	0	0	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	I Accommodation and food serving	Total employed persons	2018	5	5	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	I Accommodation and food serving	Total employed persons	2019	0	0	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	I Accommodation and food serving	Total employed persons	2020	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	I Accommodation and food serving	Total employed persons	2021	.	.	.	.	0	0	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	I Accommodation and food serving	Total employed persons	2022**	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	I Accommodation and food serving	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	J Information and communication	Total employed persons	2017	25	135	0	10	40	45	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	J Information and communication	Total employed persons	2018	25	190	5	10	25	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	J Information and communication	Total employed persons	2019	25	170	0	15	20	30	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	J Information and communication	Total employed persons	2020	30	130	5	5	35	50	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	J Information and communication	Total employed persons	2021	55	105	0	0	45	60	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	J Information and communication	Total employed persons	2022**	40	110	0	0	35	70	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	J Information and communication	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	30	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	K Financial institutions	Total employed persons	2017	15	25	0	10	30	30	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	K Financial institutions	Total employed persons	2018	20	30	0	5	20	25	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	K Financial institutions	Total employed persons	2019	20	40	0	0	25	30	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	K Financial institutions	Total employed persons	2020	15	20	0	0	25	30	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	K Financial institutions	Total employed persons	2021	20	30	0	5	30	30	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	K Financial institutions	Total employed persons	2022**	20	25	0	0	25	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	K Financial institutions	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	20	25	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	L Renting, buying, selling real estate	Total employed persons	2017	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	L Renting, buying, selling real estate	Total employed persons	2018	0	0	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	L Renting, buying, selling real estate	Total employed persons	2019	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	L Renting, buying, selling real estate	Total employed persons	2020	0	0	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	L Renting, buying, selling real estate	Total employed persons	2021	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	L Renting, buying, selling real estate	Total employed persons	2022**	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	L Renting, buying, selling real estate	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	M Other specialised business services	Total employed persons	2017	150	350	5	20	160	210	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	M Other specialised business services	Total employed persons	2018	140	325	10	15	155	210	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	M Other specialised business services	Total employed persons	2019	170	390	15	20	190	255	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	M Other specialised business services	Total employed persons	2020	185	585	20	210	200	270	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	M Other specialised business services	Total employed persons	2021	195	590	15	230	210	295	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	M Other specialised business services	Total employed persons	2022**	190	605	15	165	150	240	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	M Other specialised business services	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	175	255	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	N Renting and other business support	Total employed persons	2017	20	160	0	0	15	30	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	N Renting and other business support	Total employed persons	2018	20	65	0	25	20	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	N Renting and other business support	Total employed persons	2019	15	140	5	105	20	25	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	N Renting and other business support	Total employed persons	2020	20	165	0	125	25	40	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	N Renting and other business support	Total employed persons	2021	20	185	0	145	30	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	N Renting and other business support	Total employed persons	2022**	20	235	0	190	20	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	N Renting and other business support	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	15	20	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	O Public administration and services	Total employed persons	2017	0	5	0	0	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	O Public administration and services	Total employed persons	2018	0	0	0	0	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	O Public administration and services	Total employed persons	2019	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	O Public administration and services	Total employed persons	2020	0	5	0	0	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	O Public administration and services	Total employed persons	2021	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	O Public administration and services	Total employed persons	2022**	0	0	0	0	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	O Public administration and services	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	0	0	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	P Education	Total employed persons	2017	10	50	0	5	10	25	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	P Education	Total employed persons	2018	10	75	5	15	10	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	P Education	Total employed persons	2019	15	55	10	10	10	55	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	P Education	Total employed persons	2020	10	70	5	15	15	35	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	P Education	Total employed persons	2021	15	55	5	10	15	40	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	P Education	Total employed persons	2022**	10	85	10	20	10	60	0	5
Total domestic and foreign	P Education	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	15	65	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Q Health and social work activities	Total employed persons	2017	15	25	5	5	15	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Q Health and social work activities	Total employed persons	2018	10	30	5	5	10	20	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Q Health and social work activities	Total employed persons	2019	15	35	5	5	10	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Q Health and social work activities	Total employed persons	2020	25	55	5	10	15	25	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Q Health and social work activities	Total employed persons	2021	20	40	5	10	15	15	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Q Health and social work activities	Total employed persons	2022**	15	60	5	15	5	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Q Health and social work activities	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	10	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	R Culture, sports and recreation	Total employed persons	2017	0	0	0	0	5	20	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	R Culture, sports and recreation	Total employed persons	2018	5	10	0	0	5	40	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	R Culture, sports and recreation	Total employed persons	2019	0	20	0	5	5	30	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	R Culture, sports and recreation	Total employed persons	2020	5	20	0	0	5	55	0	5
Total domestic and foreign	R Culture, sports and recreation	Total employed persons	2021	5	35	0	5	5	60	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	R Culture, sports and recreation	Total employed persons	2022**	0	25	0	5	5	60	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	R Culture, sports and recreation	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	65	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	S Other service activities	Total employed persons	2017	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	S Other service activities	Total employed persons	2018	0	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	S Other service activities	Total employed persons	2019	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	S Other service activities	Total employed persons	2020	5	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	S Other service activities	Total employed persons	2021	5	5	0	0	10	10	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	S Other service activities	Total employed persons	2022**	0	5	0	0	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	S Other service activities	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	5	5	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	T Activities of households	Total employed persons	2017	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	T Activities of households	Total employed persons	2018	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	T Activities of households	Total employed persons	2019	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	T Activities of households	Total employed persons	2020	.	.	.	.	0	0	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	T Activities of households	Total employed persons	2021	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	T Activities of households	Total employed persons	2022**	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	T Activities of households	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	U Extraterritorial organisations	Total employed persons	2017	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	U Extraterritorial organisations	Total employed persons	2018	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	U Extraterritorial organisations	Total employed persons	2019	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	U Extraterritorial organisations	Total employed persons	2020	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	U Extraterritorial organisations	Total employed persons	2021	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	U Extraterritorial organisations	Total employed persons	2022**	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	U Extraterritorial organisations	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Total domestic and foreign	Unknown	Total employed persons	2017	245	370	15	130	345	350	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	Unknown	Total employed persons	2018	265	590	25	165	365	355	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	Unknown	Total employed persons	2019	220	500	10	160	300	290	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	Unknown	Total employed persons	2020	230	250	15	15	280	295	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	Unknown	Total employed persons	2021	180	265	10	10	235	235	5	5
Total domestic and foreign	Unknown	Total employed persons	2022**	170	245	10	10	205	195	0	0
Total domestic and foreign	Unknown	Total employed persons	2023*	.	.	.	.	255	255	5	5
Source: CBS.

Explanation of symbols

Table explanation

This table gives an overview of the number of patent applicants and patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Patents can be granted to enterprises, universities, institutions, private persons or other entities as long as the invention which they cover fulfils certain criteria. To obtain a patent the invention must be novel, contain an inventive step and be industrially applicable. This is assessed by a patent office like the EPO or OCNL. The patent office will grant or reject the application.

The data are broken down by economic activity of the enterprise applying for a patent. For the classification by economic activity the Dutch Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2008) is used. The data give an indication which branches are (most) innovative. Additionally, a breakdown by enterprise size class is available.

Data available from: 2011

Status of the figures:
The figures from 2011 to 2021 are final. The figures for 2022 are revised provisional. The figures for 2023 are provisional.

Changes as of August 3, 2026:
The figures for 2021 and 2022 have been adjusted and the provisional figures for 2023 have been added.

Changes as of February 27, 2026:
Provisional figures for 2021 and 2022 have been updated.

When will new figures be published?
Beginning of 2027 the figures for 2022 and 2023 will be updated. Mid 2027 the figures for 2022 and 2023 will be updated and new figures for 2024 will be added.

Description topics

EPO-Patent

A patent that is granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) is valid in all member countries of the EPO. However, the EPO patent must be validated at the national patent office in order to be effective in member countries.

applicants: Enterprises who applied for a patent at the European Patent Office (EPO)in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) is valid in all member countries of the EPO. However the EPO patent must be validated at the national patent office in order to be effective in member countries.

applications: Patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) is valid in all member countries of the EPO. However the EPO patent must be validated at the national patent office in order to be effective in member countries.

Applicants with foreign cooperation: Enterprises who applied for a patent at the European Patent Office (EPO) in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for any of its applications.

Applications with foreign cooperation: Patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for this specific application.

OCNL-Patent

A patent that is granted by NL Patent Office (OCNL), a division of Agency NL, is only valid in the Netherlands.

Patent applicants: Enterprises who applied for a patent at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by NL Patent Office (OCNL), a division of Agency NL, is only valid in the Netherlands.

Patent applications: Patent applications at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by NL Patent Office (OCNL), a division of Agency NL, is only valid in the Netherlands.

Applicants with foreign cooperation: Enterprises who applied for a patent at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for any of its applications.

Applications with foreign cooperation: Patent applications at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for this specific application.