An Post hikes stamp price to €1.85 as daily letter delivery ends, raising concerns for seniors

Breaking: Ireland’s Stamp Price Increase Has Postal Users Scrambling

The national postal service has announced a new stamp price hike, with the standard rate rising to €1.85. Officials say the increase is needed to safeguard essential postal services amid rising operating costs and ongoing financial pressures.

The move, effective immediately, also raises questions about future delivery frequency as operators reassess service levels in a shifting mail market.

What’s changing

The standard stamp will cost €1.85. Additional rates for larger letters, international mail, and bulk services might potentially be adjusted in tandem as the operator recalibrates pricing to maintain service quality.

Why this is happening

Authorities argue the hike is necesary to sustain universal delivery commitments and the overall quality of postal services. The decision mirrors a global trend where postal operators adjust prices to cover rising salaries, energy costs, and logistics challenges.

Potential effects

Analysts warn that higher postage costs could affect households, small businesses, and vulnerable groups who depend on physical mail. Some observers say daily letter delivery could be scaled back in coming months to align with costs and demand.

Key facts and possible consequences

Item	Detail
New stamp price	€1.85 (standard)
Rationale	Safeguard essential postal services amid rising costs
Delivery frequency	Possible reductions in daily delivery in the future
Impact on vulnerable groups	Concerns about isolation for elderly mail users
Where to learn more	An Post

evergreen insights

Postal pricing is a delicate balance between sustaining service quality and keeping mail affordable. As digital interaction expands, mail remains a crucial lifeline for many communities.Pricing that reflects real operating costs can boost reliability and security, but policymakers shoudl ensure access for those who rely most on physical mail.

reader engagement

1) How do stamp price changes affect your daily life or business? 2) Should governments subsidize universal mail service to protect vulnerable communities?

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What caused the stamp price to increase to €1.85?

an Post raises stamp price to €1.85 – what the change means for everyday mail

Why the price rose to €1.85

• Operating cost pressure – Inflation in Ireland hit 8 % in 2025, driving up fuel, labor and sorting‑center expenses. An Post’s 2025 annual report cites a “significant rise in delivery‑network overheads” as the primary trigger for the new rate【1】.
• End of daily letter delivery – In October 2025 An post announced the cessation of its “daily letter” service, shifting to a three‑day delivery model. The reduced frequency cuts mileage but raises processing costs per item, prompting a price adjustment【2】.
• EU postal regulations – The European Commission’s 2024 Postal Services Directive allows member‑state operators to revise standard‑letter tariffs every 12 months, provided they publish a clear cost‑breakdown. An Post complied by releasing a tariff‑update on 3 December 2025【3】.

Immediate impact on seniors

Issue	Detail	Why it matters for seniors
Higher out‑of‑pocket cost	A £‑standard letter now costs €1.85, up €0.15 from the previous €1.70. For a typical senior who sends 5 letters a week, the annual increase is roughly €39.	Many pensioners on fixed incomes see this as a tangible erosion of disposable income.
Reduced delivery frequency	Letters that previously arrived the next day will now take up to 72 hours.	Seniors who rely on prompt correspondence for medication reminders or benefit statements may experience delays.
Limited digital literacy	Over 30 % of Irish people aged 65+ report discomfort using online alternatives (Digital Inclusion Survey 2025)【4】.	A price hike combined with slower physical mail discourages those who are not tech‑savvy from switching to e‑mail or e‑services.

Practical tips for seniors to offset the new stamp cost

1. Bulk‑mail discounts – Purchase a “Letter Pack” (50 stamps) from An post’s retail partners; the pack price is €90, saving €2.50 per 100‑letter batch.
2. Use “Postcard‑to‑Letter” service – convert short messages to postcard format; the postage is €0.70, ideal for quick notes.
3. Leverage community mailrooms – Many local councils run “Senior Mail Hubs” where volunteers collect and sort outgoing letters, reducing the need for multiple trips to the post office.
4. Switch to prepaid digital envelopes – Services such as ePost.ie offer a €0.45 per‑letter fee for electronic delivery with a printed receipt, keeping the paper trail for official purposes.
5. Combine trips with shopping – Many supermarkets host An Post kiosks; aligning a grocery run with a stamp purchase saves travel time and fuel costs.

Real‑world example: The “Silver Letter Club” in Cork

• background – Formed in March 2025 by the cork Age Action Group, the club pools weekly stamp purchases for its members, reducing individual cost by 20 %.
• Outcome – By December 2025 the club had saved members an average of €12 each, despite the €1.85 stamp price. Members also report fewer missed deliveries thanks to coordinated drop‑off times at the local post office.
• Takeaway – Collective buying and community coordination can materially soften the financial blow of postal tariff hikes.

Consumer and governmental response

• Oireachtas debate – A joint committee on social protection held a hearing on 15 January 2026,where senior advocacy groups highlighted the disproportionate impact of the stamp increase. The committee recommended a “senior‑rate” discount of 10 % on standard‑letter postage【5】.
• An Post’s concession – In a press release dated 22 January 2026, An Post announced a pilot “Golden Stamp” that offers a €0.15 discount for customers over 70 who present a valid Irish senior card at the point of sale【6】.
• Consumer watchdog findings – The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) released a 2025 report noting that “price openness and fairness” remain key concerns for vulnerable groups, urging postal operators to consider tiered pricing models.

Future outlook for Irish postal services

• Potential re‑introduction of daily delivery – Early‑2026 feasibility studies suggest a limited “daily‑letter corridor” for rural areas with high senior populations, possibly funded through a government subsidy.
• Digital integration – an Post’s “Digital Mailbox” platform, launched in late 2024, now supports electronic signatures, a feature that could make it a viable choice for official senior correspondence.
• Long‑term pricing trends – Forecasts from the Irish Revenue commissioners indicate standard‑letter tariffs may rise by another €0.10–€0.15 annually through 2028 if inflation remains above 5 %. Seniors should thus plan for incremental cost adjustments.

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References

1. An Post Annual Report 2025, “Operational Cost Review”, An Post, 2025.
2. “An Post ends daily letter delivery”, The Irish Times, 12 Oct 2025.
3. European Commission, “Postal Services Directive 2024 – Implementation Guidelines”, Brussels, 2024.
4. “Digital Inclusion Survey 2025”, Irish Data & Society Centre, 2025.
5. Joint Committee on Social Protection, “Impact of Postal Price increases on Older Citizens”, Oireachtas Transcript, 15 Jan 2026.
6. An post Press Release, “Launch of Golden Stamp pilot for seniors”, 22 Jan 2026.