DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

17 October 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Election 2025
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Election 2025
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

PostNL calls for end to delivery duty as court rejects cash call

September 5, 2025
Photo: Dutch News

Postal delivery company PostNL has renewed calls to scrap its legal duty to deliver letters after a Dutch court ruled the government does not have to grant the postal company a €30 million subsidy.

The company appeal court said on Friday there was no evidence that PostNL’s financial situation was so urgent that immediate government support was required. In addition, the court said, the government could also consider other measures, such as further scaling back legislation guaranteeing a universal postal service.

PostNL had asked for an advance of two payments of €15 million, covering this year and next, as part of a wider €68 million request.

The company claims it has been losing money on mail delivery as volumes have fallen by 70% since 2009, while costs continue to rise. Because postal delivery is a statutory task, PostNL cannot stop providing it.

The court ruling prompted PostNL to describe the current position as “unsustainable.” It has now asked caretaker economic affairs minister Vincent Karremans to respond within two months.

The court acknowledged PostNL’s concerns but said it is up to ministers and lawmakers to decide on structural solutions.

Karremans announced in June that delivery times would be relaxed so that ordinary post can take up to 48 hours instead of 24. PostNL said at the time that the change was not enough to solve its financial problems.

The issue remains sensitive in The Hague. A previous proposal to extend delivery times was rejected by MPs, but Karremans went ahead with the change in June.

PostNL argues that easing delivery rules is only a partial fix and that financial compensation is still needed to cover current losses.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Business Economy Post
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
US officials had warned about "problematic" Nexperia in June
Dutch political parties "far too weak" on farming and climate
The big election issues: tackling the housing crisis
How much Dutch does it take for a Dutch person to vote?
Type 2 diabetes costs Dutch economy over €1 billion a year
NewsHomeEconomyElection 2025Art and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you with up-to-date news about this month's Dutch general election.

Our thanks to everyone who donates regularly to Dutch News. It costs money to produce our daily news service, our original features and daily newsletters, and we could not do it without you.

If you have not yet made a donation, or did so a while ago, you can do so via these links

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now