Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
PostNL seeks €80 million from government to keep delivering mail
PostNL wants €80 million from the government next year to keep delivering mail.
The request concerns mail delivery in the Netherlands.
Fewer letters are being sent, reducing the amount of mail the company handles.
At the same time, the cost of delivering mail is rising.
PostNL says it needs the money to continue the service.
It is seeking government funding for next year, but no decision on the request is stated.
PostNL is asking the Dutch government for €80 million next year to help cover the cost of delivering mail.
The company says mail volumes are falling while its costs rise and it remains legally required to deliver mail.
PostNL says mail volumes have fallen by 70% over the past 20 years.
The company is also urging the government to introduce a new Postal Act that has been before the House of Representatives since 2020.
PostNL says outdated rules will cost it €148 million in total from 2025 to 2027.
- Who
- PostNL is asking the Dutch government for funding.
- What
- It wants an extra €80 million next year for mail delivery.
- When
- The request was reported on October 20, 2026, and concerns next year.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- PostNL says falling mail volumes and rising costs make it difficult to meet its legal delivery obligation.
PostNL
Previous cabinet
Funding
PostNL
PostNL says costs arising from a legal obligation should not be borne by the company.
Previous cabinet
The previous cabinet rejected PostNL's subsidy requests for this year and last year.
The proposed new Postal Act has been before the House of Representatives.
PostNL says the volume of mail has fallen by 70%.
PostNL changed letter delivery so that letters are delivered within two days rather than one.
PostNL sought €80 million from the government for next year's mail delivery.
- Requested funding
- €80 million
- Mail volume decline
- 70% over 20 years
- Delivery time since last July
- Two days for letters, rather than one
- Proposed Postal Act
- Before the House of Representatives since 2020
- Estimated cost of outdated rules
- €148 million in total from 2025 to 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
The costs arising from a legal obligation cannot be placed on the company.