Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
German regulator proposes room for a 20.35% rise in letter prices by 2027
Germany’s Federal Network Agency has proposed allowing Deutsche Post to raise postage prices by 20.35% for 2027 and 2028.
If the increase were applied evenly, sending a standard letter within Germany could cost €1.14 from January 2027, up from 95 cents.
The final prices are not set, and Deutsche Post may choose different increases for different types of mail.
The regulator will consult the postal sector before setting the permitted price limit, and Deutsche Post will then submit its proposed prices for approval.
Parcel and business-mail prices are also expected to rise, although details are not yet given.
Letter volumes in Germany have fallen as people and organisations increasingly use digital messages, while the postal service still has to maintain delivery staff, post offices and mailboxes.
The regulator says it allowed less than the increase Deutsche Post had sought.
Germany’s Federal Network Agency has proposed allowing letter prices to rise by 20.35% from January 2027.
The proposal covers the Deutsche Post’s forecast total volume of letters and postcards for 2027 and 2028.
A standard domestic letter could cost €1.14 if the increase is applied evenly, but the company has not yet set prices by letter type.
The agency says it allowed a smaller increase than Deutsche Post had sought.
The proposal is subject to consultation and has not been finally approved.
- Who
- Germany’s Federal Network Agency proposed the increase; Deutsche Post will decide prices for individual letter types.
- What
- The proposal would allow letter prices to rise by 20.35%.
- When
- From January 2027, covering forecast volumes for 2027 and 2028.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- The agency cited rising costs being spread across fewer letters as digital communication reduces mail volumes.
Federal Network Agency
Deutsche Post
Proposed increase
Federal Network Agency
The agency proposed a 20.35% price-increase allowance.
Deutsche Post
Deutsche Post sought a larger adjustment, according to the agency’s president.
Price-setting
Federal Network Agency
The agency sets the permitted scope and must approve the resulting prices.
Deutsche Post
Deutsche Post will choose prices for individual letter types within the approved scope.
If costs, among other things due to increasing digitalisation, have to be spread across fewer letters, prices rise.
The Federal Network Agency published its proposed 20.35% price-increase allowance.
The proposal will be open to consultation with the logistics industry.
The agency will set the allowance, Deutsche Post will choose prices by letter type, and the agency will review and approve them.
- Proposed increase
- 20.35%
- Proposed start
- January 2027
- Period covered
- Forecast letter and postcard volumes for 2027 and 2028
- Current standard-letter price
- €0.95 for a letter weighing up to 20 grams
- Possible standard-letter price
- €1.14 if the increase is applied evenly
Sources
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