Philately: What's New

Young Carers - Helping those who help others

The new series “Austria is helping!” presents aid organisations and other institutions that promote the welfare of others and provide valuable support.

Young carers is a term used to designate children and young people under the age of 18 who regularly and for long periods take care of sick family members or family members in need of support. At present there are around 43,000 young people providing this kind of care, 70 per cent of whom are female. The average age is 12.5 years old. They do more than their peers around the house, provide care and look after younger siblings, and consequently carry a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, even if they often do not realise the extent of it. This can be a heavy burden to bear: common problems among young carers include fatigue, stress at school or constantly worrying about others. Questions such as how to deal with a situation, what is to be done in the event of an emergency or where they can get help often arise. 

This is where “Young Carers Austria” comes in, an app and platform set up by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. It provides information and contact details for places that the affected children and young people can turn to for support, because young carers also need someone to care for them and to show them the appreciation that they deserve for the difficult service they are providing. The QR code on the stamp takes you to the website, where you can find more information.

Series: Austria is helping
Graphic design: Lisa Filzi
Value: 1.00 euros
Pre-issue day: 04.09.2026
First day of issue: 14.09.2026
First day: 1030 Vienna
Stamp size: 42.00 x 33.88 mm
Perforation measurement: 13¼ x 13½
Printing technique: Offset printing
Quantity: 150,000 stamps on sheets of 50
Order no: 226360

100 years of the Österreichischer Versuchssenderverband  - The fascination of amateur radio

The Österreichische Versuchssenderverband (ÖVSV), the representative body for amateur radio operators in Austria, is celebrating its centenary in 2026.

Amateur radio operators communicate with one another by means of wireless communication technologies other than mobile telephones or the Internet. Many enthusiasts dedicate their leisure time to this hobby and are part of a large international amateur radio community. The code of conduct that regulates worldwide communication within this community is known as the “Ham Spirit”.

Amateur radio is a technologically experimental radio service which includes use of terrestrial and space stations and is used for training or communication between amateur radio operators, for technical studies and to communicate in the event of an emergency. In Austria it is regulated by the Amateur Radio Act. In order to operate an amateur radio, the operator must have passed the pertinent exam, which enables them to get authorisation for setting up an amateur radio station. Amateur radio operators are allocated a globally unique call sign and are allowed to build their own equipment and put it into operation without official approval being required. A range of frequencies have been allocated to amateur radio through international agreements. Because their equipment is operated independently, amateur radio operators can provide an invaluable service in the case of emergencies and catastrophes. Founded in 1926, the ÖVSV represents the interests of its members, operates pertinent infrastructure, offers initial and continued training and supports technical developments.

Graphic design: David Gruber
Value: 3.10 euros
Pre-issue day: 04.09.2026
First day of issue: 21.09.2026
First day: 1070 Vienna
Stamp size: 40.00 x 30.00 mm
Perforation measurement: 12 x 12
Printing technique: Offset printing
Quantity: 150,000 stamps on sheets of 50
Order no: 226380

Hermann Nitsch – splatter painting, 2020 - Art for all the senses

Hermann Nitsch was one of the co-founders of Viennese Actionism and an extremely versatile artist whose works have gained acclaim worldwide.

Hermann Nitsch was born in Vienna in 1938, where he went on to work as a graphic designer at the Technical Museum after training at the Higher Graphical Federal Education and Research Institute. Already as a young man he was interested in abstract art, poetry, the theatre and classical music, and started work on his idea of “Orgies Mysteries Theatre”. In his painting actions the focus was on the sensual experience of various substances and fluids. Time and again, however, these actions triggered protests, and he was sent to prison as a result. He regarded his “Orgies Mysteries Theatre”, which combines music, theatre, painting and performances, as a complete work of art in which art transcends the borders of reality and becomes a physical experience. The plays were regularly put on in Nitsch’s castle in the Lower Austrian town of Prinzendorf. Nitsch also taught at universities of art and put on actions at locations in Austria and abroad. His paintings are exhibited in numerous museums. He passed away in 2022.

Hermann Nitsch's actionist painting also manifested in his famous splatter paintings, for which he sometimes also used actual blood. In later splatter paintings the blood red and black were replaced by lighter colours such as yellow, orange, pink or green, reflecting a zest for life. The design on the stamp shows a splatter painting from 2020. The paint was spread using his hands, creating a relief effect, while the vortical structure is reminiscent of flowers.

Series: Art from Austria
Graphic design: Regina Simon
Value: 1.55 euros
Pre-issue day: 04.09.2026
First day of issue: 14.09.2026
First day: 1030 Vienna
Stamp size: 33.88 x 42.00 mm
Perforation measurement: 13½ x 13¼
Printing technique: Offset printing
Quantity: 150,000 stamps on sheets of 50
Order no: 226370

200 years of the Vienna City Temple - Cultural heritage

The City Temple, the heart of the Jewish community in Vienna, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Austrian Post is celebrating the occasion with a commemorative stamp.
Jewish life in Vienna enjoyed a period of growth at the start of the 19th century, and it was during this time that the Vienna City Temple was built to plans by the renowned Viennese architect Joseph Kornhäusel. However, it was forbidden for non-Catholic houses of worship, so-called “tolerance houses”, to be recognisable from the outside, meaning that the city temple had to merge seamlessly with the houses that surrounded it. Consequently, the actual synagogue is located behind the building that is seen from the street. It comprises an oval prayer room topped by a dome, with the twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 

The City Temple was opened on 9th April 1826. It was laid waste to during the November pogrom in 1938, but thanks to its position in a built-up area of Vienna, it was the only synagogue that was not completely destroyed. After the end of the war, the synagogue was restored, and over the years it has been modernised and extended. Today it serves both as the great synagogue for the Jewish community and as a symbol of the continuous presence of Judaism in Vienna. As a place where people can meet up, it is regularly used for worship, concerts by cantors and other events by the Jewish community. This centenary stamp gives an insight into the interior of the synagogue, showing the twin tablets proclaiming the ten commandments above the Torah ark.

Graphic design: Melanie Mussegg
Value: 2.00 euros
Pre-issue day: 04.09.2026
First day of issue: 09.09.2026
First day: 1010 Vienna
Stamp size: 44.00 x 35.21 mm
Perforation measurement: 13½ x 13¾
Printing technique: Offset printing
Quantity: 150,000 stamps on sheets of 50
Order no: 226460