Several European countries have defined obligations on the accessibility to postal establishments and letterboxes, that is, to points of access to the network of the universal service provider1.
Postal establishments2:
Country |
Criterion |
Austria |
The minimum number of postal establishments is 1650. In locations with more than 10 000 inhabitants, and in all district capitals, postal establishment must be 2000 meters away at the most. In all other areas, postal establishments must be 10 000 meters away at the most. |
Belgium |
The minimum number of postal establishments is 1300, 650 of which must be post stations. There must be at least one post station in each municipality. At least 95% of the population must be 5000 meters away (by road) at the most from a postal establishment providing basic services and 98% of population must be 10 000 meters away (by road) of a postal establishment providing the basic services. |
Bulgaria |
One postal establishment in each locality with more than 800 inhabitants. In localities with less than 800 inhabitants, postal establishments may close or relocate, the National Regulatory Authority being notified thereof, as well as of means to ensure the provision of the universal postal service. |
Cyprus |
The Regulatory Authority guarantees that the density of postal establishments meets user needs. |
Czech Rep. |
Minimum of 3200 postal establishments. Establishments must be located: (i) in every municipality with more than 2500 inhabitants; (ii) in every municipality with less 2500 inhabitants, where there are schools with at least nine years of schooling, or municipal buildings with administrative authority or which are register-related (births, deaths); (iii) 10 000 meters away at the most by road of any point in the territory; (iv) 2000 meters away at the most in a straight line from each residential point in municipalities with more than 2500 inhabitants. |
Estonia |
One postal establishment per city and per parish. In cities with more than 20 000 inhabitants, an additional postal establishment is required for every 20 000 inhabitants. In every parish with more than 2500 inhabitants, an additional postal establishment is required. In rural areas, where the user is more than 5000 meters away from the nearest postal establishment, the USP is required to provide home services at no additional charge. |
Finland |
One postal establishment per municipality. 82% of the population must be 3 km at the most from the nearest postal establishment. The maximum distance to a postal establishment may only exceed 10 km for 3% of the population. Points of access must be located so that they are at reasonable distance from users. |
Germany |
There must be at least 12 000 fixed postal establishments. In each municipality with more than 2000 inhabitants one postal establishment is required and in each “administrative district” there must be at least one postal establishment per 80 Km2. In urban areas with more than 4000 inhabitants, a postal establishment must be 2000 meters away at the most in a straight line. |
Croatia |
One postal establishment per 80 Km2 or 6000 inhabitants. The network of postal establishments must include at least 700 post stations. In residential areas, the maximum distance between points of access (including postal establishment, letterboxes, sorting offices, etc.) is 5000 meters. |
Latvia |
In cities - one postal establishment per every 20 000 inhabitants. In rural areas - 1 postal establishment per parish. |
Lithuania |
In rural residential areas, there must be at least one fixed postal establishment in localities with greater degree of ageing. In urban areas, there must be at least one postal establishment 3 km away at the most from users. |
Malta |
The USP must guarantee at least 59 postal establishments providing basic services. The USP must provide basic services in each locality of Malta and Gozo and as close as possible of locality centres. |
The Netherlands |
The distribution of postal establishments must result in a point of access: (i) providing a full range of services, at 5000 meters away at the most for 95% of the population; (ii) providing a full range of services outside residential areas with more than 5000 inhabitants, for at least 85% of residents. |
Poland |
A permanent point of access: (i) for every 6000 inhabitants in urban and urban-rural areas; (ii) per 85 km2 in rural areas; (iii) for every “community”; (iv) the location of points of access must take demand into account in a given area. |
Romania |
At least one postal establishment is required per locality. |
Serbia |
1400 postal establishments. In localities between 3000 and 12 000 families, the USP must establish one postal establishment per every 3000 families, where the distance to another postal establishment exceeds 2 km. In localities between 12 000 and 36 000 families, one postal establishment per every 4000 families is required, where the distance exceeds 1.5 km. In localities between 36 000 and 100 000 families, one postal establishment is required per every 6000 families, where the distance exceeds 1.25 km. In localities with more than 100 000 families, one postal establishment per every 7500 is required, where the distance exceeds 1 km. |
Slovenia |
The universal postal service provider must guarantee one postal establishment per municipality. 95% of the population must be 4.5 km away from the nearest post station, in a straight line. |
Slovakia |
One postal establishment in every residential area with: (i) more than 2500 inhabitants, (ii) less than 2500 inhabitants where the sub-region has more than 3500 inhabitants. In areas with more than 20 000 inhabitants, one postal establishment is guaranteed for each 20 000 inhabitants. Each locality with less than 25 inhabitants must not be more than 10 km away from the nearest postal establishment. |
United Kingdom |
The distribution of postal establishments must be such that: (i) 95% of the population is, at the most, 5 km away from the nearest postal establishment; (ii) in all post code areas, 95% of the population is 10 km away at the most from the nearest postal establishment. |
Source: Questionnaire submitted by ANACOM to ERGP.
Opening hours and services provided:
Country |
Criterion |
Austria |
Postal establishments operate on a daily basis at least 5 working days a week and do not operate less than 20 hours a week, except for postal establishments managed by municipalities, which are required to operate at least 15 hours a week and three working days a week. Post offices are allowed, and may operate for shorter hours and not provide all relevant services. The maximum number of post offices may not exceed 165. |
Belgium |
The USP is required to provide basic services in all post offices, and the full range of services in post stations. Post stations must operate some hours a week beyond regular opening hours (at the end of the day or on weekends). There are also some obligations regarding users with some type of physical handicap and obligations on waiting times and interaction with customers. |
Croatia |
The USP must ensure: (i) extended opening hours (7 am - 12 am) all week days, at one of the postal establishments of the Croatian capital; (ii) as a rule, opening hours between 8 am - 8 pm in the cities; (iii) in other postal establishments, postal establishments may operate continuously (ex. 8 am - 3 pm or 10 am - 5 pm); with several operating periods throughout the day (ex: 8 am - 12 pm or 4 pm-7 pm); or with shorter hours (ex. 8 am - 12 pm). |
Chyprus |
Uninterrupted and continuous provision of services for at least 5 days a week. |
Estonia |
Postal establishments must operate 5 days a week, for at least 2 hours a day between 8 am and 6 pm. |
Latvia |
Postal establishments must operate at least 5 days a week. |
Lithuania |
Postal establishments must operate all working days and not less than 5 days a week. |
Malta |
The basic services provided at postal establishments include: (i) sale of stamps, (ii) acceptance and collection of bulk mail, (iii) mail sending including packages, (iv) services for registered items and insured items, and (v) any other services the provision of which is considered by the Regulatory Authority to be appropriate, insofar as the USP is consulted. Postal establishments are required to operate between 7:30 am and 1 pm from Monday to Saturday, “main” postal establishments being required to operate between 8 am and 8 pm. “Postal sub-establishments” are required to operate between 7 am and 12 pm and from 4 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and from 7 am and 12 pm on Saturdays. Where the USP intends to change opening hours or days of operation, it is required to submit a request to the Regulatory Authority 20 days in advance of the date when the implementation is proposed to take effect. The communication must be duly justified. After reception of this request, the Regulatory Authority must issue a decision within 5 working days, informing the USP thereof and publishing its decision at its website. |
Serbia |
The universal service provider is required to ensure the collection of postal items at post stations during the day, every working day, not less than five days a week, save in case of national and religious holidays, force majeure and for reasons such as an illness and safety of staff. The universal postal service provider is entitled also to designate which postal stations open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Permanent post stations must operate at least 2 (two) hours a day. |
Slovakia |
The following requirements have been defined for post stations operating in residential units:
|
Slovenia |
Five working days, for at least two consecutive hours. |
Source: Questionnaire submitted by ANACOM to ERGP.
Letterboxes:
Country |
Criterion |
Austria |
In populated residential areas, letterboxes must be 1km away at the most. |
Belgium |
There must be at least one letterbox per municipality. The last collection must take place before 5 pm, or before 7 pm, in municipalities where this is justified. |
Bulgaria |
In localities: (i) up to 2000 inhabitants, at least one letterbox is required, (ii) between 2000 and 10 000 one letterbox for every 2000 inhabitants is required; (iii) between 10 000 and 50 000 inhabitants, one letterbox for every 3000 inhabitants; (iv) where more than 50 000 inhabitants exist, one letterbox for every 5000 inhabitants is required. |
Cyprus |
The universal postal service provider must ensure the sitting of at least one letterbox per 1000 inhabitants for the collection of items of correspondence, and at least one letterbox in localities with less than 1000 inhabitants. |
Czech Rep. |
In municipalities with less than 10 000 inhabitants, one letterbox is required for every 1000 inhabitants. In municipalities with more than 10 000 inhabitants, one letterbox is required 1 km away at the most. Letterboxes must be placed at locations attended by inhabitants (shopping centres, public transport stops, etc.). |
Estonia |
All cities or parishes must be provided with at least two letterboxes. The minimum distance is 0.5 km in cities, and 2 km in smaller towns. |
Germany |
As a rule, users in urban areas must not be more than 1 km away from a letterbox, in a straight line. |
Croatia |
The USP must ensure the number and distribution of letterboxes so as to guarantee accessibility in terms of time and location, in places where no other network point is available. |
Ireland |
The sitting of letterboxes at 1 km away at the most in cities and 3 km away at the most in rural areas is required. |
Latvia |
One letterbox per 3000 inhabitants, in cities, and one letterbox per 2000 inhabitants in rural areas. |
Lithuania |
In urban areas, letterboxes must be 2 km away at the most in a straight line. In rural areas with more than 200 addresses, at least one letterbox is required. |
Malta |
There must be one letterbox as close as possible to every locality centre, where postal items are collected 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday, except on holidays). In localities with population density exceeding the national average, 98% of users must be 400 meters away at the most from a letterbox. In localities with population density below the national average, 98% of users must be 800 meters away at the most from a letterbox. |
The Netherlands |
In residential centres with more than 5000 inhabitants, the universal postal service provider must make a letterbox available within a radius of 1 km for the deposit of items of correspondence. In other areas, the universal postal service provider must make a letterbox available within a radius of 2.5 km. |
Poland |
The number of letterboxes sat by the postal operator in a specific postal area must be adjusted to the needs of the local community. The rate of letterboxes sat (namely at postal establishments) to ensure accessibility of wheelchair users may not be lower than 95% in every postal area. |
Romania |
At least one point of access per locality. In addition, one letterbox is required for every 3000 inhabitants in urban areas, and one letterbox per 20 000 inhabitants in Bucharest. |
Serbia |
At least one letterbox in rural areas with more than 1000 inhabitants. In rural areas with less than 1000 inhabitants, letterboxes may be sat where at least five postal items are deposited in average a day. In areas with up to 200 000 inhabitants, one letterbox is required per every 5000 inhabitants. In areas with more than 200 000, one letterbox is required per every 10 000 inhabitants. |
Slovenia |
One letterbox: for every 400 inhabitants in cities with less than 5000 inhabitants; for every 700 inhabitants in cities between 5001 and 25 000 inhabitants; for every 1000 inhabitants in cities between 25 001 and 80 000 inhabitants; for every 1300 inhabitants in cities between 80 001 and 250 000 inhabitants, and for every 1500 inhabitants in cities with more than 250 000 inhabitants. |
Slovakia |
In residential areas with 500 to 1000 inhabitants, one letterbox is required where the nearest letterbox is more than 5000 meters away. In areas with 1001 to 3000 inhabitants, one letterbox is required. In localities with 3001 to 30 000 inhabitants, one letterbox must be sat for every 3000 inhabitants. In localities with more than 30 000 inhabitants, one letterbox is required for every additional 5000 inhabitants. |
United Kingdom |
Minimum of 11 500 (those located at postal establishments). One letterbox is required 0.5 miles away at the most for 98% of the population. Where users have no point of access in a radius of 0.5 miles, the USP must ensure access to the universal service so as to meet the needs of these users. At national level, points of access for larger items and registered items must be 5 km away at the most for 95% of the population. In every post code area, at least 95% of the population must be 10 km away from letterboxes and all points of access must be available according to duly published opening hours. USP must ensure that people with special needs are able to deposit postal items with the postal network at no “additional cost”. |
Source: Questionnaire submitted by ANACOM to ERGP.