German postage prices set for record 20% increase in 2027

The cost of sending letters in Germany is set to rise by more than 20% next year, the largest increase on record, under plans unveiled by the country's postal regulator on Monday.

The Federal Network Agency proposed allowing Deutsche Post to raise letter and postcard prices by an average of 20.35% from January 2027, nearly double the previous record increase of 10.48% in 2025.

The price of sending a standard domestic letter weighing up to 20 grams could rise from the current 95 cents to €1.14 ($1.28). However, the exact price will depend on how Deutsche Post distributes the increases across different types of mail.

The proposed increase would mean standard postage prices have roughly doubled since 2012, when sending a letter cost 55 cents.

Parcel prices could also rise by 10.72%, while business mail would face the same 20.35% increase proposed for private customers.

The regulator attributed the sharp increases to declining mail volumes as consumers, businesses and government agencies increasingly switch to digital communications.

Germany's annual letter volume fell from 16.9 billion in 2005 to just under 9.4 billion in 2025, while the costs of maintaining postal infrastructure continue to rise.

"When costs have to be spread over fewer letters, partly due to increasing digitalization, prices rise," regulator president Klaus Müller said.

He added that Deutsche Post had sought even larger increases, but the regulator had rejected some of its demands.

The proposals are still subject to consultations before final approval. Deutsche Post has historically made full use of permitted price increases.