PostNL Threatens Legal Action Over Lack of Mail Delivery Subsidies
PostNL wants €30 million in government support to keep delivering mail and warns it may stop daily service if help doesn’t come soon.
PostNL is warning that the future of daily mail delivery in the Netherlands is at serious risk unless the government provides urgent financial support. The postal company is seeking €30 million in 2025 and €38 million in 2026 to maintain its universal service obligation, but says that without this funding, it may be forced to scale back services—or follow Denmark’s lead in phasing out traditional mail entirely.
Mail Volumes Drop, But Legal Demands Remain
Daily mail volume has plummeted by 70% in the past two decades, from 20 million items to just 6 million. Despite this shift, PostNL remains legally required to deliver within 24 hours, unlike postal operators in countries like Belgium, Germany, Portugal, and the UK, where delivery windows of 72 hours are already permitted. “We carry out a public duty required by law that loses money,” said PostNL mail director Maurice Unck. “You can’t ask a private company to do that.”
The Dutch Cabinet recently approved moving to a 48-hour delivery standard, but that won’t take effect until July 2026—too late, according to PostNL. Business mail has already switched to this system, and for consumers, the company is preparing a new three-day-a-week delivery model. Urgent mail, such as medical or funeral-related items, will still arrive within 24 hours.
Financial Strain and Staff Shortages
PostNL’s finances are under pressure. The company’s stock is valued below €1, and its half-year results, due on August 4, are expected to show continued losses. Previous cost-saving measures—like halving the number of orange mailboxes and raising stamp prices—are no longer sufficient. “The government’s demands are too high, we don’t have enough staff, and we can’t invest,” Unck said. “We’re stuck.”
The company argues that, unlike other public services such as NS and Arriva, which receive state subsidies, PostNL is expected to fulfil its obligations independently. That, Unck says, is no longer sustainable.
Legal Action and Political Debate Ahead
After the Ministry of Economic Affairs rejected PostNL’s subsidy request in February, the company began preparing legal action and is willing to escalate the case to the Council of State. Meanwhile, a political debate in the Tweede Kamer is expected in September. Until then, PostNL continues adapting to its new delivery model while waiting to see if Parliament will intervene.
“We still want to deliver the post,” said Unck. “But not like this.”