PostNL wants laxer rules for statutory postal delivery task

PostNL is calling for changes to Dutch postal regulations, saying legal obligations for the country’s Universal Postal Service (UPD) no longer match the reality of a shrinking postal market. The company said it lost €35 million on carrying out the required service last year, creating an “unfairly large” financial burden while it remains legally required to perform the tasks.

The postal delivery company said the amount of mail sent in the Netherlands has fallen by 70% over the past 20 years and continues to decline each year. “Where Dutch people used to receive about three pieces of mail a day, they now receive only three a week,” PostNL said.

PostNL is asking policymakers to introduce several measures, including allowing standard delivery within two delivery days with a minimum quality rate of 90%, followed later by delivery within three days. “Delivery within two delivery days with a quality percentage of at least 90% and later within three days is a necessary first step,” the company said.

However, PostNL said that change alone would not solve the financial problems. “Even then, the UPD will remain loss-making,” the company said. It also said reducing the number of PostNL mailboxes could help lower costs.

PostNL previously announced that starting July 12, standard mailbox mail would be delivered within two days instead of the next day. The company said the change is necessary to keep postal deliveries reliable.

Alongside the new delivery rules, postal workers will receive a total wage increase of 7%. Members of labor organizations BVPP, CNV and FNV approved the new collective labor agreement for 14,000 postal workers. The agreement runs from Jan. 1, 2026, through 2027.