The new postal law in Germany: far-reaching changes from 2025

The new Postal Law Modernization Act (PostModG) will come into force on January 1, 2025. It will make letter mail more expensive and take longer to deliver. But this has dire consequences for dealing with authorities.

Frankfurt am Main

March 11, 2024

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The Postal Law Modernization Act will come into force in Germany on January 1, 2025, and will have far-reaching effects on letter delivery. This law not only signals an increase in mail delivery costs but also an extension of delivery times, representing a significant adjustment for consumers and authorities.

Why is the postal system changing?

The driving forces behind these changes are complex. A key factor is the significant decline in letter volume from 80 million daily in 2000 to 46 million today. This development reflects a changing communications landscape and poses financial challenges for Deutsche Post. The law thus responds to the need to adapt the letter business to today's realities.

The fiction of delivery and its consequences

The presumption of service plays a crucial role in official communication. Currently, it states that a letter placed in the mail is considered delivered after a specified period of time—typically the third day after posting. This presumption is crucial for calculating deadlines for objections or appeals. The new regulation in the Postal Act is problematic with regard to the current definition of the presumption of service, as the delivery of a letter can now take longer. This could significantly shorten the effective time for citizens to initiate legal action.

Impact on citizens and authorities

The changes mean higher costs and longer waiting times for citizens. The Easter holidays are a particular example: Under the old rules, a tax assessment notice sent by the tax office on Maundy Thursday would arrive no later than the Tuesday after Easter. Under the new rules, however, delivery could be delayed until the Wednesday or even Thursday after Easter. In this scenario, one week of the objection or appeal period would already be lost. If the recipient has also gone on Easter vacation for two weeks, up to three of the four available weeks could be lost. For many citizens, this significantly increases the pressure to respond and makes the search for a lawyer or law firm significantly more difficult if one needs to file a lawsuit.

A look ahead

The introduction of the Postal Law Modernization Act reflects the need to adapt to digital transformation and climate protection. The reduction in nighttime air transport for letter delivery is one example of the effort to establish more environmentally friendly practices. Nevertheless, the impacts of these changes must be carefully considered to ensure accessibility and fairness in the handling of government mail.

These profound changes in the postal system mark a turning point that requires adaptation by consumers and authorities. It remains to be seen how these innovations will be implemented in practice and what further adjustments will be necessary to ensure efficient and fair communication.