Dispute over costs passed to customers
Commission Chairman Tomaso Duso said the Federal Network Agency's treatment of Deutsche Post's costs would produce excessively high postage, dpa reported Tuesday. The commission advises the German federal government.
Duso, an economics professor, warned that the proposed allowances could let Deutsche Post use postage revenue to subsidize other business areas, harming competition. He urged the agency to scrutinize the costs more closely so customers pay only for necessary burdens, saying this would not jeopardize rural postal service.
The commission's November 3, 2026, statement singles out branch-network costs. It recommends rejecting allowances for those burdens altogether. If the agency does not do so, the commission says it should establish its own assessment standard or appoint a neutral third party rather than use Deutsche Post's standard.
The statement responds to the agency's October 12 draft decision in the performance indicators procedure, known as the Maßgrößenverfahren, which determines Deutsche Post's room to adjust tariffs. The commission says the agency examined its recommendations from the 2025 Postal Sector Report in detail but adopted none of them. It continues to stand by those recommendations.
The Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD) also urged the federal government to take the criticism seriously. Association Chair Michaela Engelmeier said consumers should not have to pay for questionable cost items.
Proposed rates for 2027 and 2028
The Federal Network Agency has proposed allowing a 20.35% increase in letter-mail revenue for 2027 and 2028, based on its forecast of total letter volumes over that period. The roughly one-fifth increase would be the largest yet. Deutsche Post would decide how to distribute increases among individual products within that framework; the planned domestic Standardbrief increase is 21.05%. Final approval of the rates remains outstanding.
Under the January 1 proposal, a domestic Standardbrief would cost 1.15 euros instead of 0.95 euros. The Kompaktbrief would rise from 1.10 to 1.25 euros, the Großbrief from 1.80 to 2.35 euros, and the Maxibrief from 2.90 to 5.00 euros. Postcard postage would increase from 0.95 to 1.15 euros.
The international Standardbrief would rise from 1.25 to 1.45 euros. Charges for Einschreiben registered-mail services would remain unchanged.
Deutsche Post cites falling volumes and rising costs
Deutsche Post attributes the proposed increases to sharply declining letter volumes and higher personnel, energy and material costs. The company says it invests about one billion euros annually in Germany's post and parcel network.
Citing the Federal Statistical Office, Deutsche Post says private households spend an average of slightly more than four euros a month on letter and parcel services. It estimates that the planned adjustments would add about 75 cents to that monthly expense.
The company also says its proposed 1.15-euro Standardbrief rate would remain well below the European average of 1.52 euros. According to t-online, the comparable rate is 1.40 euros in the Netherlands, at least 1.58 euros in Belgium and 1.52 euros in France. France's rate is already set to reach 1.67 euros at the turn of the year.
SPD Bundestag member Sebastian Roloff expressed understanding for the increase, pointing to the sharp decline in letter volumes. He said maintaining high-quality nationwide service at moderate prices was important and that Germany still compared favorably with neighboring countries on both price and quality.
Product changes planned for January
Alongside the new prices, Deutsche Post plans to simplify its product range on January 1, 2027. Letters will be allowed to measure up to three centimeters in height. The Großbrief limit will expand to three centimeters and one kilogram, while the Maxibrief weight limit will rise to two kilograms.
The Päckchen small-parcel service will have a maximum weight of one kilogram and automatically include tracking and liability coverage of up to 20 euros. Deutsche Post will also introduce a new, cheaper Midibrief International service for documents weighing up to 500 grams.
