1,14 Euro pro Brief möglich: Plus 20 Prozent: Porto kann so stark steigen wie noch nie

Germany's postal system is set to experience its steepest price increase ever, with the cost of sending a standard letter potentially rising by 20.35 percent from January 2027. The Federal Network Agency announced this plan in Bonn, outlining the "price-increase room" that Deutsche Post can apply to the total volume of letters and postcards projected for 2027 and 2028.

The average price increase in 2022 was 4.6 percent, with 10.48 percent being the previous peak in 2025, nearly doubling the new proposal. While the specific surcharge for each type of mail remains undetermined, the post may apply the increase uniformly across all mail types, leading to a January 2027 cost of 1.14 Euro for standard letters.

Alternatively, the post might increase prices in 5-cent increments, resulting in prices of 1.10 or 1.15 Euros. Currently, a standard letter weighing up to 20 grams costs 0.95 Euro. Compared to European neighbors, Germany's postal service remains relatively affordable, with Austria charging 1 Euro for a standard letter and the Netherlands 1.40 Euros.

France has a higher rate of 1.52 Euros, where a January 2027 increase to 1.67 Euros is already set. With the increasing shift towards digital communication, the volume of letters sent in Germany has been declining since the 2005 figure of 16.9 billion, reaching just over 9.4 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, postal costs continue to rise as the post must manage numerous post offices, branches, and mailmen.

While other EU countries have witnessed more dramatic transformations, the Dutch Post reports a 70 percent drop in letter volume over 20 years. In Germany, the postal industry's structural change was initially moderate but is now gradually accelerating, with more government and corporate mail moving to digital channels. Bundesnetzagentur President Klaus Müller stated that the post received approval for a more substantial price hike and did not consider certain positions put forward by the Bonn postal giant.

The two-year validity of the new postage rate has been approved by the Federal Network Agency, which will consult the industry, finalize the decision, and then set the 2027 postal rate. The postal rate increase applies to letters, packages, and business-to-business mail, with all types expected to rise. The new rates will take effect in 2027 and 2028, with Deutsche Post and DHL leading the market, while smaller competitors like Citipost, Pin Mail, and BWPost depend on Deutsche Post for nationwide delivery and pay fees accordingly.

Competitors Hermes, DPD, GLS, and UPS, as non-universal service providers, are not bound by postal rate decisions and do not maintain an extensive infrastructure in Germany.