Inform yourself in three minutes: Figures, data & facts about EPF get to know EPF with the following information. If you still have any further questions after you have read the following information please contact us via email.

The European Press Federation was founded by experienced press professionals, journalists and experts in the field and has developed in a very short period of time into an association representing the interests and careers of a large number of members. The association promotes journalistic activities, cultivates international contacts within the media and press sectors and understands itself to be a non-materialistic, internationally active and neutral career association, independent of trade unions, which represents the occupational, legal and social interests of authors, people responsible for PR, press photographers, representatives of the press and journalists against third parties. This applies for both those with regular employment as well as part-time and freelance representatives of the media.

The European Press Federation e. V. has been added by the Secretariat General to the European Commission’s Register of Interest Representatives as a lobbyist representative for media professionals, and part-time journa-lists in particular. Register number is: 61351933698-09  https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/transparency/regrin

• To the top

You can complete the application in a few moments online. To do this just click on the button “register”, the rest will be explained in the online application form. Do you want to make the application by post? No problem! To do this just click on the button “register” and then on “Apply by post”. You can then print the form, fill it in and send it to EPF – that’s all, print, fill in and post. Done!


• To the top

As a service orientated career and branch representative, the European Press Federation e.V. is developing amongst other things as press portals, journalistic databases, recommendations for start-ups, career models and contract specimens. A diversity of consultation services, a PDF library, issuing of international press cards, job offers, media supply, working materials, homepages, trade literature and much more complete our considerable service offer. The  EPF is an innovator, provider of ideas and know-how pools for Journalists. A membership with EPF also means: powerful representation of your interests, strong networks, unbureaucratic, comprehensive and competent service. You will receive assistance concerning concrete work methods, for example how you can work successfully as a part-time journalist. The know-how concerning how to successfully market your journalistic activities or how to win clients will be provided by EPF.


• To the top

Of course! Part-time journalists often deliver work which is just as valuable as that of their full-time colleagues. A part-time journalistic activity is in the interest of the public because theses journalists are more interested in results than in the career environment itself. And that is what is important. Even though full-time journalists often show dislike for their part-time colleagues due to the competition that they bring: why should motivated newcomers not are allowed to earn a lucrative second income through serious editorial work?


• To the top

Unlike other associations the EPF does not require the, often seen as discriminating, provision of evidence of publication. There are many forms of journalistic activity which have nothing to do with publications. You could, for example, be doing research work and supplying another journalist with information, thereby you would still be working as a journalist but not actually publishing yourself. Only in well-founded cases of doubt may you be asked to provide such evidence. When completing the membership application you do however need to make a legally binding confirmation that you are active as a journalist. This does not however oblige you to make any publications.


• To the top

The press sign for vehicles will be provided with a new yearly sticker (prolongation) each year; the press card will be reissued every year. This service is included in the membership fee (4 Euros / month, 48 Euros / year). Depending on what time of year you apply for an EPF membership, the membership fee will only be invoiced proportionately for the current year (e.g. if you apply in April you will only be charged for the time between April and December).


• To the top

At the European Press Federation you will not only find members with comprehensive career experience but also motivated newcomers. The EPF is mainly represented by full and part time journalists, experts in the communication sector and media representatives. This includes editors, (freelance) press photographers and feature journalists, authors, publishers, directors, camera people, spokesmen, film critics and radio reporters. Furthermore, EPF is supported by members who are active as owners or managers of TV production companies, news and press agencies, radio senders as well as journalism offices dealing with type, image, sound and internet.


• To the top

If you wish to prolong your membership for another year you will be required to pay the membership fee for the following year. The new press card for the following year will then be sent to you in November or December. The press card is only valid for the current year; the press sign for vehicles is only valid with the sticker for the current year.


• To the top

In most democratic countries the press is not state controlled. Note: Press cards are therefore issued by trade associations, trade unions or press agencies - and not from government authorities. 'Government recognised' or 'official' press cards are therefore myths. Some nationally active trade associations often like to issue, misleadingly, officially recognised press cards. Experts know: as well in Germany as in other European countries there are no such things as officially or state recognised press cards. These descriptions are there simply misleading.


• To the top

Basically, the press card is a tool for your activities. This tool authorises you as a registered representative of the press and aids you, for example, with authorities to carry out your activities as a journalist or research journalist more professionally. The possession of a press card does not imply that you are a good journalist. The press card does not testify to your real qualifications. The press card only documents that the owner is officially active as a journalist in one form or another.


• To the top

The European Press Federation is authorised to issue press cards. Press cards are issued by officially registered journalistic and press associations, to which the EPF belongs. All the EPF documents have an ID number, are registered and carry an internationally recognised press seal. Hint: The official press sign for vehicles is only valid when backed up by a press card. It has spaces where the yearly sticker and the validity stamp can be affixed for the current year. The ID number of the associated press card is also shown.

• To the top

Free parking is more of a rule than an exception for journalists. In the meantime many towns and cities offer a “press bonus” to representatives of the press even when it is often not made official, a legal right to free parking does not exist. Press coverage both written and pictorial is a free promotion for the towns and cities and serve to boost tourism. Therefore exceptions are often made for members of the press as far as parking in the towns and cities is concerned. You will often not receive a parking ticket if you display your press sign. The press sign should however mainly serve to help you in your work (for example when an area is closed so that you can pass to make your report). Many (trade fair) organisers have parking places reserved for the press for which you will need to display the sign. However, even when using the press sign you must abide by the road safety regulations. The press sign may only be displayed when you are making a journey which serves to assist you in your journalistic activities.

• To the top

Who knows if a positive editorial report is the result of previously granted special conditions for the press? A quick look into the press environment is enough to make one point quite clear: It doesn’t have much to do with impartial press coverage any more. Therefore many companies offer preferential conditions to the press. However, a legal or binding obligation to offer such conditions does not exist.

• To the top

In order for us to be able to process your application with EPF you need to confirm that you are active as a journalist – no matter whether full or part-time. Therefore we need to require you to confirm that you are active as a journalist. If you visit a trade fair in order to research the newest trends, you may well do this with the intention of writing something about it. Even if nothing comes of it you were still active as a journalist. How many articles (even those from professionals) never left the drawing board and were never read of published? If you are asked what work you are doing in connection with the media, you can comfortably reply that you are, for example, working as a freelance research journalist.


• To the top

Recognised by whom? From government authorities, organisers, companies or organisations? It doesn’t matter if you work full or part-time as a journalist. The deciding factor is the quality of your work. The quality of your work will make you 'recognised'. Independent thereof, there is no obligation to produce journalistic work, but you can enjoy the benefits that fulltime members of the press are often granted. Access to publishing careers is open to all citizens (at least in democratic countries). The activities of a journalist can be performed without any special qualifications because a journalistic activity can easily be adopted autodidactically. The same applies for photo reporters or photo agents.


• To the top