Malta has once again been ranked the European Union’s top country for trademark applications, holding onto the number one spot for the second consecutive year.According to the 2026 European Innovation Scoreboard, Malta outperformed the EU average by 127%, cementing its position as the bloc’s leading hub for trademark registration.The achievement is particularly notable given Malta’s size. With a population of around 600,000, the country ranked ahead of much larger EU member states, reflecting strong activity among local businesses and entrepreneurs in protecting their brands and ideas.The report also placed Malta first in the EU for non-R&D innovation expenditure and innovation expenditure per person employed, highlighting continued investment in innovation across the business sector.Commenting on the achievement, Director of Industrial Property Registration Matthew Pisani said retaining the top ranking reflects Malta’s ongoing commitment to innovation and intellectual property protection, while praising the work of the Maltese IP Office team.What do you think is driving Malta’s success in innovation?•