The cost of sending a letter in Ireland is set to rise again, as An Post has confirmed that it is increasing the price of a stamp.
The State-owned company said that the price of a domestic stamp will increase by 25 cent to €1.65.
In a statement, An Post explained that the latest price increase is necessary to cover wage increases for postal staff, higher operating costs, and a drop in the volume of letters being posted.
Over the year the volume of letters has dipped by 8%, while it is down by half in the past decade, An Post said.
An Post
Today’s announcement marks the latest annual price hike for a national stamp, which cost €1 back in 2020.
The price increase will come into effect for personal customers on February 27 and for business customers on March 1.
According to An Post, the price increase is in line with global trends and is lower than many other countries in the European Union and the UK benchmark price of €1.88 for next-day letter service.
It added that in Denmark, where the volume of letters has declined by 85% since 2008, the cost of a stamp is €5.23.
An Post has confirmed that the cost of stamps for international letters is also increasing – from €2.20 to €2.65.
The rates for large envelopes, packets and parcels to international destinations will also rise, while the national digital stamp will increase by 22 cent from €2 to €2.22.
An Post said that it is “conscious of the impact on older customers” and its staff will continue to check in on elderly customers, particularly those living alone in isolated rural areas.
It also confirmed that the free delivery service for all letter and parcels up to 1kg posted to residents of nursing and care homes in the State will extend to the end of 2025.
Commenting on the price increases, David McRedmond, An Post chief executive, said:
“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.”