Between 2023 and 2025, the European Patent Office (EPO) saw sustained high-volume filing activity from a concentrated group of leading IP firms worldwide. This report analyses the Top 50 EP representative firms by total filings across the three-year period, highlighting key trends, notable performers, and the competitive dynamics shaping the European patent landscape.
The Top 50 EP filer firms collectively handled over 260,000 European Patent applications between 2023 and 2025 — a figure that underscores the degree of market concentration at the top of the EP prosecution ecosystem.
The data reveals a clear duopoly of jurisdiction at the top of the rankings: Germany and the United Kingdom together dominate the list, accounting for the vast majority of the top 50 firms. Germany alone contributes 22 firms, while the UK places 17, collectively reflecting the deep-rooted patent prosecution infrastructure in both countries.
France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden round out the geographic picture, each contributing firms that demonstrate strong international filing capabilities and diverse client bases — from SMEs and universities to global technology leaders.
Filing Trends 2023-2025
Total filing volumes across the top 50 firms show a market that is both resilient and in flux. Several firms recorded strong growth trajectories over the period, while others saw moderate declines — a reflection of changing client portfolios, competitive pressures, and evolving patent strategies among the world’s largest R&D spenders.
The period captures a patent market navigating post-pandemic normalisation, increased global competition for EP representation, and growing pressure from clients to demonstrate value and efficiency. Firms that adapted — whether through expanded service lines, international partnerships, or technology-driven workflows — are reflected in the data through sustained or rising filing numbers.
The Top 10 firms alone account for over 85,000 EP filings between 2023–2025 — approximately one-third of all filings among the top 50 firms.
Top 10 Firms 2023-2025
#1 — HOFFMANN EITLE (Germany) | 13,100 Filings
HOFFMANN EITLE retains the top position with a commanding 13,100 total EP filings across the three-year period. Hoffmann Eitle's volume speaks to the breadth and depth of its client portfolio, encompassing major multinational corporations across technology, pharma, and engineering sectors. The firm's sustained leadership across multiple reporting periods is a testament to its institutional scale and international reach.
#2 — VOSSIUS & PARTNER (Germany) | 9,665 Filings
VOSSIUS & PARTNER secures second place with 9,665 total filings and, crucially, demonstrates a positive growth trajectory — recording a +5.7% increase from 2023 to 2025. This upward trend distinguishes Vossius among the top German firms, suggesting active business development and client portfolio expansion. The firm's positioning in key technology sectors — including life sciences and digital technologies — continues to drive consistent filing volumes.
#3 — GRÜNECKER PARTG MBB (Germany) | 9,474 Filings
GRÜNECKER PARTG MBB rounds out the top three with 9,474 filings. As one of Germany's most established patent firms, Grünecker's third-place finish reflects continued strong demand across its core practice areas. With a broad international client base and expertise spanning mechanical engineering, chemistry, and life sciences, the firm remains a cornerstone of the European patent prosecution landscape.
#4 — MARKS & CLERK (United Kingdom) | 8,961 Filings
MARKS & CLERK is the standout performer among the top 10, recording a remarkable +30.7% increase in filings from 2023 to 2025 — the highest growth rate in the entire top 10. With 8,961 total filings, the UK-headquartered firm has made a decisive move up the rankings, positioning itself as one of the most dynamic EP filers globally. Its growth reflects both organic expansion and the strength of its international client relationships across high-innovation sectors.
#5 — DEHNS (United Kingdom) | 8,902 Filings
DEHNS achieves fifth place with 8,902 total filings. Its consistent position in the top five reflects a deeply embedded client base. Dehns is particularly noted for its expertise in electronics, computing, and life sciences, and its foreign client share of over 83% underlines the firm's appeal to international applicants seeking high-quality EP representation.
#6 — BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT (Germany) | 7,749 Filings
BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT delivers a consistant performance with 7,749 total filings — effectively holding its ground. This stability is notable in a period of market flux, suggesting the firm has maintained client relationships and workflow volumes with exceptional consistency. Its broad multi-disciplinary practice and strong German SME client base provide a resilient foundation.
#7 — MURGITROYD & COMPANY (United Kingdom) | 7,482 Filings
MURGITROYD & COMPANY holds seventh position with 7,482 filings across the period. The firm's 89.5% foreign client share is one of the highest in the top 10, highlighting its strength as a preferred EP prosecution partner for non-European applicants. Murgitroyd's continued investment in digital processes and its multi-office UK and European presence have helped it maintain a strong filing footprint.
#8 — MEWBURN ELLIS LLP (United Kingdom) | 7,300 Filings
MEWBURN ELLIS LLP records 7,300 total filings and a positive change of +3.1% from 2023 to 2025. As one of the UK's largest IP firms, Mewburn Ellis combines deep scientific expertise with broad sector coverage, from biotechnology to advanced manufacturing. Its growth trajectory in an otherwise mixed-performance top 10 is a positive signal for the firm's competitive positioning.
#9 — HGF LIMITED (United Kingdom) | 6,546 Filings
HGF LIMITED claims ninth place with 6,546 total filings and an impressively stable performance. HGF's multi-office UK presence and its focus on commercially-driven patent strategy have made it a consistent performer at the top of the EP filer rankings. Its broad industry coverage and strong relationships with technology and life sciences innovators continue to sustain high filing volumes.
#10 — GULDE & PARTNER PATENT- UND RECHTSANWALTSKANZLEI MBB (Germany) | 6,260 Filings
GULDE & PARTNER PATENT- UND RECHTSANWALTSKANZLEI MBB rounds out the top 10 with 6,260 total filings and — alongside Marks & Clerk — is one of the report's standout growth stories. The firm recorded a +35.0% increase in filings from 2023 to 2025, the joint highest growth rate across the top 50. This exceptional trajectory places Gulde & Partner as one to watch, signalling a period of rapid expansion and client acquisition that is reshaping the upper tier of the EP prosecution market.
Country Breakdown
Germany dominates the top 50 with 22 firms, collectively filing the largest share of EP applications. German firms benefit from the country's position as Europe's largest economy and most prolific innovator, with deep roots in automotive, chemical, and engineering sectors that remain among the heaviest patent filers at the EPO.
The United Kingdom contributes 17 firms, several of which are among the strongest performers by foreign client share — indicating that UK firms are disproportionately attractive to non-European applicants. MARKS & CLERK's 30.7% growth and MEWBURN ELLIS LLP's steady upward trend are emblematic of a UK IP sector that has adapted with agility.
France places three firms in the top 50, led by PLASSERAUD IP at rank 13 with 5,861 total filings and an outstanding +34.3% growth — one of the strongest performances in the entire list. CABINET BEAU DE LOMÉNIE also merits attention, recording a +24.3% increase to reach 2,841 total filings, while MERH-IP MATIAS ERNY REICHL HOFFMANN posted +20.0% growth.
Italy is represented by two firms: STUDIO TORTA at rank 33 with 3,524 filings and an impressive +16.8% growth, and BUGNION S.P.A. at rank 50 with 2,379 filings and +5.4% growth. Both firms maintain strong foreign client ratios and demonstrate the continued competitiveness of Italian IP practices in the European prosecution market.
Sweden's AWA (rank 32, 3,616 filings) and the Netherlands' NEDERLANDSCH OCTROOIBUREAU / NLO SHIELDMARK (rank 35, 3,361 filings, +4.4%) and V.O. (VEREENIGDE OCTROOIBUREAUX) (rank 44, 2,564 filings) round out the geographic picture, each maintaining consistent positions in the broader top 50.
Notable Performers and Growth Stories
EISENFÜHR SPEISER (rank 37, Germany) recorded a +24.8% increase to reach 3,223 total filings — a result that reflects the firm's growing profile among international technology clients. Similarly, TBK-PATENT (rank 39, Germany) achieved +21.5% growth, reaching 3,153 filings — a strong performance from a firm that continues to expand its presence in the EP market.
MATHYS & SQUIRE (rank 19, United Kingdom) posted +18.4% growth to 1,825 filings in 2025, achieving 4,787 total filings across the period — a result that positions the firm as one of the UK's most dynamic patent practices. MEISSNER BOLTE (rank 26, Germany) also delivered a +10.2% increase to reach 4,017 total filings, demonstrating sustained momentum in the German mid-tier.
STUDIO TORTA (rank 33, Italy) deserves special mention, recording +16.8% growth — the highest growth rate of any Italian firm in the top 50. With a foreign client share of over 53%, the firm has clearly broadened its international reach significantly over the period.
Foreign Client Share: International Demand for EP Expertise
One of the most telling metrics in the data is foreign client share — the proportion of filings originating from applicants based outside the representative firm's home country. High foreign client shares indicate that a firm has successfully positioned itself as a preferred partner for international clients seeking EP prosecution expertise.
Several top 50 firms record foreign client shares exceeding 90%, with VIERING, JENTSCHURA & PARTNER (93.4%), FORRESTERS (95.7%), and TBK-PATENT (95.7%) standing out as the most internationally-oriented firms in the ranking.
MAUCHER JENKINS (rank 28, United Kingdom) records the highest foreign client share in the top 50 at 96.5% — indicating that virtually all of the firm's EP work originates from non-UK applicants. This extraordinary international orientation speaks to the firm's specialised positioning and its ability to attract global clients seeking UK-based EP counsel.
CARPMAELS & RANSFORD (rank 20, United Kingdom) maintains a 92.4% foreign client share, while HASELTINE LAKE KEMPNER (rank 21, United Kingdom) records 90.8%. These figures reinforce the UK's reputation as a globally preferred hub for EP prosecution services, even as the broader IP landscape continues to evolve post-Brexit.
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