PostNL to raise stamp price to 1.40 euros amid rising costs

PostNL is raising the price of a postage stamp to 1.40 euros next year, up from 1.31 euros. This comes after the price had also been raised by 10 percent in July of this year.

The new price is unavoidable due to the decline in the number of posts and the rising costs, PostNL stated. According to the postal company, the new price falls within the limits that PostNL receives from the government each year to adjust its rates.

“We are spending more on letter delivery than it generates in revenue,” says Maurice Unck, director of PostNL’s mail division. “Our postal workers continue their rounds with the same commitment, but there is far less mail to deliver. Two decades ago, each address received about three letters per day; today, that number has dropped to three per week on average.”

Unck acknowledges that the price hike is “unwelcome,” but emphasizes that it is “unfortunately necessary.” PostNL explains that delivering mail involves sorters, postal workers, truck drivers, equipment, and infrastructure. These costs increase annually but are now spread over fewer letters, driving up the cost per item. Back in 2012, a stamp cost just 50 cents.

With letter volumes steadily declining, PostNL’s mail service has become unprofitable. The company is seeking to be released from the legal obligations of the Universal Postal Service (UPS), which currently requires it to collect, sort, and deliver mail five days a week, ensuring that at least 95 percent is delivered the following day.

At the start of this month, the government granted PostNL a faster extension for private mail delivery. Starting in 2027, letters and cards will be allowed up to three days to reach recipients. PostNL had also sought government funding to maintain its loss-making mail service, but the Netherlands Enterprise Court of Appeal (CBb) blocked that request.