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The cost of sending letters in Ireland is due to increase from early February, with An Post confirming higher prices for both domestic and international mail.

From Tuesday 3 February, the price of a national stamp will rise by 20 cent, increasing from €1.65 to €1.85. This follows a previous increase of 25 cent introduced last February. International postage costs will also climb, with a new €3.50 rate applying to letters sent anywhere in Europe, including Britain. This represents an increase of 85 cent.

An Post said the revised pricing reflects global trends and remains below the European Union and UK benchmark for domestic next-day letter delivery, which stands at €2.04. A new “Rest of World” stamp priced at €3.95 will also be introduced. The company said this change is aimed at addressing sustained losses in international mail, with outgoing overseas letter volumes down by 38 percent over the past three years.

More than half of Ireland’s international post is sent to Britain, Germany and France. An Post stated that this was the reason for introducing a specific Europe and Britain rate, rather than applying the higher worldwide price. By comparison, the equivalent European stamp in the UK costs €3.90.

Further increases will apply to large envelopes, packets, over-the-counter parcels, Registered Post and digital stamp products. According to An Post, the revised charges are designed to support the continued delivery of a nationwide letter service, despite declining volumes and rising operational costs. Letter volumes have fallen by 7 percent in the past year and by more than half since 2016, with a similar decline expected in 2026.

Speaking about the increase, Micheál Martin described the higher cost of stamps as very challenging for consumers, while acknowledging that reduced usage has contributed to higher unit costs across the network.

An Post has emphasised its commitment to maintaining a next-day national delivery service to every address, supported by trained staff and a growing fleet of emission-free vehicles. The company also confirmed that existing stamps marked with ‘N’, ‘W’ or euro denominations will remain valid after the price change. Free delivery for letters and parcels up to 1kg sent to residents of nursing and care homes will continue.

For households and businesses, the increases highlight the changing economics of postal services and the growing impact of declining mail volumes on traditional delivery models.

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