According to the National Institute of Industrial Property, 1,093 applications were submitted between January and September, compared with 799 during the same period last year.

The figures were released as the INPI celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of protecting inventions, brands and industrial designs in Portugal.

The increase follows an already strong year in 2025, when Portugal recorded 1,170 national invention applications, the highest annual figure in a decade.

But while more people and businesses are seeking protection for their ideas, the number of inventions granted protection has actually fallen.

Between January and September, 117 were granted, compared with 187 during the same period in 2025, a decrease of 37.4%.

Intellectual property

Trademark applications are also growing. Nearly 19,000 applications were submitted during the first nine months of the year, an increase of 9.3%.

However, the picture isn’t entirely positive across all areas of intellectual property. Applications for national industrial designs fell by 37.1%.

Speaking at the anniversary celebrations, Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice highlighted the economic importance of protecting ideas and innovation.

Industries that make intensive use of intellectual property rights account for approximately 1.5 million jobs in Portugal and contribute almost 43% of the country’s GDP.

Digital patent

The INPI is also introducing a new digital patent management system, funded through Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, to simplify procedures and reduce administrative work.

The latest figures suggest that interest in protecting inventions and commercial ideas continues to grow, even as some categories experience a slowdown.

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