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Blog > EUROPA Stamps 70th Anniversary — postcard design competition

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Do you know a young artist who loves postcards or maybe you are one yourself…?

PostEurop (the association of European postal services) is celebrating 70 years of EUROPA stamps in 2026, and to mark the occasion they’re organizing a postcard design competition for young creatives — with winning designs printed by postal services and a cash prize for the artists! 🥳

Dark blue square graphic with a white perforated stamp border and text reading Celebrating EUROPA Stamps 70th Anniversary – Young European Artists Postcard Design Competition 2026, with the hashtag EUROPAstamps and the logos of PostEurop and EUROPA.

EUROPA stamps have been around since 1956, when six countries started issuing them to highlight peace, unity and cooperation in Europe. Today there are over 50 postal organizations involved, and for this special anniversary PostEurop is inviting the next generation to show what “Unity in Europe” looks like to them, in the form of a postcard illustration or design.

The competition is open to young people and design students aged 18–25 who live in countries or territories that issue EUROPA stamps. Participants are asked to create a postcard-sized design (148×105 mm) on the theme of “Unity in Europe” and submit it according to the technical specs.

During the summer, a jury of international designers will select three to five winners. Each winning design will receive a €500 prize, be professionally printed as postcard sets on premium paper, and be showcased on the EUROPA stamps website. Winners will also receive copies of their cards, and PostEurop members will be able to use the winning designs on postcards during 2026–2027.

Colorful abstract 2026 EUROPA stamp design with a halftone dot pattern in bright reds, blues and yellows, a diagonal row of circular cut-outs, the value 1, year 2026 and the placeholder country name LANDNAME on a perforated stamp shape.

The call for entries is already open, and the deadline for submissions is 14 April 2026. You can find all the details, technical requirements and submission form on PostEurop’s website.

We thought some creative postcrossers might enjoy taking part in something that combines art, postcards and the union spirit, all in one go. Wouldn’t it be awesome if your design matches the design of 2026's Europa stamps, which will be a common one in all countries? Then we could make some super cool maxicards! 😍

19 comments so far

paradonym, Germany

I think we need a really colourful stamp with things very unusual to be on a stamp...

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beesknees, United States of America

Oh if only i were young, or an artist, or lived in europe.....

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Lilly-is-living, Germany

I am an artist and live in Europe but I'm too young...

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Moonraker, United States of America

Exciting news! I love the fresh youth-driven designs! Can’t wait to see the results next year.

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Willi, Germany

OMG! I am too old for stamps... 😀

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Galyagalina, Russia

Oh, I'm sure that young and creative artists wll be glad to take part in such a landmark competition. It sounds more like a festival!

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durtlskdi, United States of America

I wish we had something similar in the Americas for regional cooperation and peace...

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jjmedusa, United States of America

How amazing! I can't wait to see the winning designs! :)

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Rajath, India

Is there a link or site where we can see all the Europa sites? can some one help share it

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manfromearth, Argentina

Can't wait to see the designs!
And hope to see the same initiative for other parts of the world :)

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Anto61, Italy

I would like to see the projects and I hope the "Mise" finally consideres priting an interesting UE/EU stamps .

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Anto61, Italy

I would like to seee the projects and I hope the "Mise" issuses interesting EU/UE stamps.

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Hartmanncult, Belarus

Belarus still have old europa stamps..so sad to see that it's not for us now.

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emoffdayz, United States of America

Wow!!! Very cool 😎 i ope they come up with more designs in other places in the world anyways good luck with the designers of it

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Flippie, Canada

Go for it! I like colours. Success.

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Y0893, China

Let’s go! My favorite color!

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SilviaHarms, Netherlands

What a creative and inspiring subject! Unfortunately I ' m to old...

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chronicallyclown, Finland

I hope they have have rules against the usage of generative AI..

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Robin67, Austria

Again just one design!? How disappointing! If one doesn't like it, it's the same stamp from all (participating) countries...

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