Malta's Commerce Department has announced that the island nation has retained its top spot in the EU for trademark applications for the second consecutive year. According to the 2026 European Innovation Scoreboard, Malta outperformed the bloc's average by 127%, solidifying its position as the EU's leading hub for trademark registration.

Malta's achievement is particularly noteworthy given its small size, with a population of just 0.6 million – less than a tenth of the EU average member state. Despite being dwarfed in terms of population by other EU countries, Malta has punched well above its weight, reflecting the active role played by Maltese businesses and entrepreneurs in registering and protecting their ideas.

Matthew Pisani, Director of Industrial Property Registration at Malta's Commerce Department, attributed the achievement to the country's sustained focus on IP protection. "Retaining Malta's position as the leading EU Member State for Trademark applications is a significant achievement that reflects our country's continued commitment to innovation and the protection of Intellectual Property," Pisani said.

Malta's success in trademark applications is not an isolated incident – the island nation also ranked first in the EU for non-R&D innovation expenditure and innovation expenditure per person employed. This points to a business landscape that is investing heavily in branding, design, and process innovation. For small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to protect their ideas, Malta's Commerce Department has highlighted its role as a key resource.

Malta's reputation as an EU leader in IP protection remains strong, with this achievement serving as a testament to the country's commitment to innovation and intellectual property. As the island nation continues to excel in trademark applications, it will be interesting to see how Malta's business landscape evolves and whether other EU countries can match its level of success in this area.

The Commerce Department has made information available on registering trademarks at commerce.gov.mt/en/industrial-property-registrations-directorate for those looking to protect their ideas. With this achievement, Malta reinforces its position as a hub for innovation and intellectual property protection in the EU.