Belgium reveals its 2026 stamp program

By Linn’s Staff

Bpost, Belgium’s post office, announced its 2026 stamp program in a Nov. 28 press release.

The lineup spans early photography, Belgian fashion and rail history, scientific achievements, athletics, royal milestones and seasonal themes, a blend that the postal agency describes as “small formats, big emotions.”

The program begins Jan. 26 with four sheets of five stamps each. One issue has the title of “Unseen 19th-century photography.” Another commemorates the 100th anniversary of the National Railway Company of Belgium.

A separate issue honors the 50th anniversary of the King Baudouin Foundation, highlighting its long-standing philanthropic role. The fourth January release pays tribute to Belgian milliner Elvis Pompilio and translates five of his most recognizable hat designs into stamp format.

Four more issues follow on April 13. An issue of two stamps follows the 2026 Europa theme of the 70th anniversary of the Europa stamp. A Pop Art booklet of 10 stamps will spotlight the visual vocabulary of the pop art movement that emerged in the 1950s.

Another April 13 issue depicts several species of ladybugs on a sheet of five stamps, while a final stamp, issued in a sheet of five, celebrates Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (1876-1965), commemorating both her 150th birth anniversary and 75 years since an international competition for musicians was renamed for the queen.

The 2026 program continues June 15 with another issue in the Belgium’s Inventors series, this time focusing on Paul Janssen (1926-2003), the Belgian physician and researcher behind numerous breakthroughs in medical science.

On June 15 Bpost will also release a round stamp in a sheet of five for the FIFA World Cup, beginning June 11 in Mexico, which is one of three host countries along with the United States and Canada.

Other June 15 issues include two sheets of five: one commemorating 50 years of the National Geographic Institute and one showing artwork on skateboards.

Aug. 31 brings another four issues. One depicts the city squares of La Louviere in a sheet of five stamps, while another marks the 50th edition of the Memorial Van Damme, an international athletics event held annually in Brussels.

Bpost will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Royal Observatory of Belgium with an Aug. 31 sheet of five stamps, and a fourth August issue turns to public health with a single stamp dedicated to rheumatism.

Five final issues will conclude the program Oct. 26. A stamp issue to commemorate the 25th birthday of Princess Elisabeth will be unveiled closer to the date.

Another Oct. 26 issue commemorates woodpeckers on a sheet of five stamps with QR codes integrated into the design. When scanned with a smartphone, each QR code opens an audio clip of the woodpecker’s characteristic drumming.

The remaining issues are a sheet of five stamps showing seaweeds of the North Sea, and another sheet of five devoted to the color blue. The year closes with two Christmas stamps available in a booklets of 10. One of two designs shows a fox, and the other shows a weasel.

Definitives scheduled to be issued during the year include two nondenominated King Philippe postage stamps on June 15. Each of the two stamps has a different background color.

The stamp program is tentative and subject to change. The address of Bpost’s web shop is https://eshop.bpost.be.

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