Belgium — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

bpost is Belgium’s national postal operator, a public limited company majority-owned by the Belgian state. Belgium has a rich philatelic tradition dating to 1849, and is notable for producing high-quality engraved stamps and for its philatelic connections to the vast Belgian colonial empire in Central Africa (Belgian Congo, Ruanda-Urundi). Belgium also operates as a major European postal hub, with Brussels hosting several important international postal institutions.

Notable Stamp Issues

Belgium’s first stamp, issued 1 July 1849, depicted King Leopold I in an epaulette uniform — hence the collector nickname “Epaulette.” The 1865–1866 Lion issues are elegant. Belgium introduced perforation to its stamps relatively early. The 1915–1918 issues during German occupation (German-occupied Belgium stamps and King Albert I exile stamps) are historically significant. Belgian Congo stamps (1886–1960) covering the personal colony of Leopold II and then the Belgian colonial state are a major specialist area documenting a controversial period of history.

Collecting Tips

The OBP/COB (Officiële Belgische Postzegelcatalogus / Catalogue Officiel Belge) is the standard Belgian reference. Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi stamps require their own specialist catalogue volumes. Belgium has a strong tradition of charity (semi-postal) stamps — Anti-Tuberculosis and Red Cross issues are popular. Railway parcel stamps (Belgium had its own railway stamp system) are a specialist area. Modern bpost stamps include high-quality topical issues.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.