A European patent is a patent granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) that provides protection for an invention in up to 44 European countries. The process of obtaining a European patent involves a centralized examination procedure, in which a single application can be filed and a single examination carried out, resulting in a single patent that can then be validated in multiple countries. The number of European patent applications has been steadily increasing in recent years. In 2020, the EPO received more than 180,000 applications, a record high. The top three countries of origin for these applications were Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The United States, Japan, and China were also among the top ten countries of origin. In terms of technological fields, the majority of European patent applications were in the fields of digital communication, computer technology, and medical technology. The EPO also granted a record number of patents in these fields in 2020. The EPO also grants supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) for certain pharmaceutical and plant protection products that have been authorized for sale in the European Union. In 2020, the EPO granted a record number of SPCs, with the majority being for pharmaceutical products. In terms of the companies and organizations that applied for European patents, the top ten applicants in 2020 were Huawei, Samsung, LG, Siemens, Qualcomm, Ericsson, Bosch, ZTE, Nokia, and Merck. Obtaining a European patent can be a valuable tool for businesses and organizations looking to protect their inventions and innovations in the European market. The centralized examination procedure and ability to validate the patent in multiple countries can also save time and resources compared to obtaining separate patents in each country. Overall, the European patent system is a dynamic and active with a high number of applications, grants and in different technological fields, and a clear indication of the companies and organizations that are leading the way in innovation and research in Europe.