Sending letters could become more expensive sooner than initially planned. Swiss Post submitted an application to this effect.
Frankfurt – The prices for postage in Germany are not set by Deutsche Post. This is the responsibility of the Federal Network Agency, to which Swiss Post must submit an application for a price increase for letter postage. The next increase could come sooner than planned.
Postage increase at Swiss Post: Deutsche Post plans premature price increases for letters
The price for domestic letter postage in Germany has been 2022 cents since 85. This price was actually set by the Federal Network Agency until the end of 2024. However, due to increased costs, Deutsche Post plans to increase letter postage as early as 2024. "An increase in prices is not easy for us with regard to the legitimate interests of our customers," said Post Manager Nikola Hagleiter. However, due to high inflation and higher energy prices, there is no way around this step, they say. Swiss Post's branch network in Germany is also on the verge of upheaval.
An anonymous sender sent a threatening letter to Jens Marco Scherf. (Symbolic image) © IMAGO/Martin Wagner
Deutsche Post could be planning a much more drastic price increase than recently. In 2022, the cost of letter postage increased from 80 to 85 cents. From 2024, this price could rise to 90 or even 95 cents. For Swiss Post, the estimated costs in 2022 seem to be problematic. A margin for price increases of 4.6 percent until 2024 was planned. Since consumer prices rose much more than expected, the price increase is said to have become necessary now. The collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the Verdi trade union also burdens Deutsche Post with almost 400 million euros in additional costs, according to the company.
Deutsche Post: Letter postage in Germany is well below the European average
As Deutsche Post further states, the price of a standard letter is far below the European average price of 1.33 euros. In a study by Deutsche Post, the prices for letter postage in 2022 were compared. Germany was only in 20th place in this comparison, so the price of a letter postage was comparatively cheap. Nevertheless, the number of complaints to Deutsche Post was particularly high last year.
Postage in 2022 was most expensive in Denmark – where sending a letter cost 3.90 euros. Finland (3.45 euros) and Italy (2.80 euros) also pulled up the average price in Europe significantly.
This is how the price for the carriage of a standard letter in Germany developed:
| Year | Price for letter postage |
|---|---|
| 1949 | 30 pfennigs |
| 1997 | 110 pfennigs |
| 2002 | 55 cents |
| 2013 | 58 cents |
| 2014 | 60 cents |
| 2015 | 62 cents |
| 2016 | 70 cents |
| 2019 | 80 cents |
| 2022 | 85 cents |
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It has already been decided to increase the price of sending a 10-kilo package. From July 1, 2023, this will increase from 9.49 to 10.49 euros, i.e. it will be one euro more expensive. However, the price increase does not only affect domestic shipping: "Due to the drastic increase in international transport and delivery costs, DHL is also increasing the prices for parcels and parcels in international shipping," writes Swiss Post. It remains to be seen whether the Federal Network Agency will agree to the planned price increase for letter postage at Deutsche Post. Without consent, the price can only be increased for the year 2025.
