AN Post have announced major price changes for Irish punters with the cost of stamps increasing in just weeks.
On February 27, the price of a national stamp will rise from €1.40 to €1.65 for personal customers, and on March 1 for business users.
An Post have announced a price hike on stamps[/caption]
In a statement, An Post said this price increase is in line with global trends and still below the EU14 + UK benchmark of €1.88 for a next-day letter service.
The hike aims to cover rising costs, including wage increases for postal staff and the impact of declining letter volumes, which have dropped by 50 per cent over the past decade.
As fewer letters are sent, the cost of maintaining this network increases, and An Post said the price of stamps has to rise to balance the financial equation.
For instance, Denmark has seen an 85 per cent drop in letter volumes since 2008, and the price of a stamp there now stands at €5.23.
However, small businesses can save with the An Post Advantage Card, getting a discounted rate of €1.55 for the national stamp, a 6 per cent reduction.
The international letter stamp price will also go up, from €2.20 to €2.65.
And larger envelopes, packets and parcels sent internationally will see price hikes, while the national Digital stamp will rise from €2 to €2.22.
Independent assessments by PWC confirm that the new pricing meets regulatory obligations and aligns with cost-orientation, affordability, and non-discrimination principles.
An Post also revealed plans to ensure that half of all letters will be delivered by electric vehicles or alternative fuel sources by the end of 2025.
To support older customers, An Post said it would continue its outreach programmes, particularly for those in isolated rural areas, working with Irish charity Alone to ensure communication services are accessible.
An Post will also extend free delivery services for letters and parcels up to 1kg to residents of Nursing and Care homes until the end of 2025.
CEO of An Post David McRedmond emphasised that aligning with global postal trends is necessary to maintain the service in the face of declining customers.
He said: “An Post’s priority is to provide a world-class service for the people and businesses of Ireland.
“To do this, we need to be aligned with global postal trends that see large price increases to compensate for falling volumes due to e-substitution.
“We’ve worked hard to get the economics right on price for postage by introducing smarter work practices and reducing costs to keep our prices below the European benchmark average, and below the UK. An Post remains entirely self-financed (having repaid a Government loan in full in 2024).
“While we manage the decline in postal, An Post is also investing heavily in the parcel and eCommerce business which is growing rapidly.”
Managing Director of An Post Letters and Parcels, Garrett Bridgeman, added that they are pleased to retain the current pricing for our Registered Mail Service.
He said: “I’m also pleased to confirm that An Post’s Community Focus supports including free postage up to 1kg to all nursing and care homes will continue throughout 2025.
“An Post’s quality of service is amongst the highest in Europe.
“We’re pleased to retain the current pricing for our Registered Mail Service.
“With the continued expansion of our electric delivery fleet, we will protect our customers and support Irish businesses, bringing air pollution levels down, helping Ireland to reach its emission goals while ensuring safe, decent work and working conditions for all our people.”
