Miss Europe 1996 was the 51st edition of the Miss Europe pageant and the 40th edition under the Mondial Events Organization. It was held in Tirana, Albania on 28 September 1996. Marie-Claire Harrison of England, was crowned Miss Europe 1996 by outgoing titleholder Monika Žídková of the Czech Republic.
From 1951 to 2002 there was a rival Miss Europe competition organized by the "Comité Officiel et International Miss Europe". This was founded in 1950 by Jean Raibaut in Paris, the headquarters later moved to Marseille. The winners wore different titles like Miss Europe, Miss Europa or Miss Europe International.
This year's competition took place in İzmir, Turkey. There were 30 contestants from 28 countries and 2 regions. At the end, Mimmi Gunnarsson of Sweden was originally crowned as Miss Europa 1996; however she was later dethroned. The crown then went to Jenni Rautawaara of Finland. Both Gunnarsson and Rautawaara succeeded predecessor Yolanda Marcos Gonzales of Spain.
