Copenhagen, Denmark – On December 30, 2025, Denmark's state-owned postal operator PostNord delivered its final letter, concluding a 401-year tradition of public mail distribution that dates back to 1624 under King Christian IV. The move, announced earlier in the year, shifts PostNord's focus entirely to parcel delivery amid a dramatic decline in letter volumes driven by widespread digitization.
PostNord, formed in 2009 through a merger of the Danish and Swedish postal services, cited a more than 90% drop in letter volumes since 2000—from over 1.4 billion annually to around 110-122 million in recent years—as the primary reason for ending the service in Denmark. In 2024 alone, volumes fell by over 30% compared to the previous year, rendering the letter business financially unsustainable with reported deficits of approximately €57 million.
"Today marks a historic turning point in PostNord’s history," said Kim Pedersen, CEO of PostNord Denmark. "We are ending letter distribution after centuries, but we are opening a new chapter where Danes need us most: in e-commerce, where parcels now outnumber letters." Pedersen emphasized the societal shift toward digital communication, noting that Denmark's advanced digital infrastructure— including the mandatory MitID digital ID system and Digital Post for official correspondence—has rendered physical letters largely obsolete for most citizens.
The decision has led to significant operational changes, including the layoffs of around 1,500 employees and the removal of 1,500 iconic red postboxes across the country since June 2025. Many of these postboxes, symbols of Danish postal heritage, were sold at auction for charity, with 1,000 units snapped up within hours at prices ranging from €236 to €315 each. Unused Danish stamps from 2024 and 2025 are eligible for refunds during a limited period in 2026.
While PostNord ceases letter operations in Denmark, the service will continue in Sweden, where demand remains higher. The company plans to pivot fully to parcels, capitalizing on the booming e-commerce sector, where eight out of ten Danes regularly shop online.
Letter delivery will not vanish entirely. Private distributor DAO (Dansk Avis Omdeling), already handling newspapers, magazines, and some mail, will take over the majority of domestic and international letter services starting January 1, 2026. DAO CEO Hans Peter Nissen projected an increase in total delivered items—from around 150 million in 2025 to 205-210 million in 2026—with approximately 70-80 million being letters. Customers will need to drop off letters at DAO-affiliated shops or pay extra for home collection, with postage handled online or via apps.
Denmark's transition marks it as the first European country to end state-run nationwide letter delivery, a milestone watched closely by postal services across the continent facing similar declines. Experts note that while physical mail persists for certain groups—such as the elderly or those exempt from digital post—the overall trend reflects Denmark's status as one of the world's most digitized nations.
The end of this era has evoked nostalgia among Danes. Postal workers like long-time deliverers have shared stories of personal connections forged through daily routes, while museums preserve artifacts like historic postboxes. Historians highlight the postal service's role since 1624 in connecting a scattered kingdom, evolving from horse-drawn riders to modern networks.
Broader implications include potential challenges for remote areas and the visually impaired, though the government ensures continued access under liberalized market rules. As PostNord adapts, the shift underscores a global postal evolution: from letters as primary communication to parcels dominating amid online shopping growth.
This development, widely covered internationally, symbolizes the profound impact of digital transformation on everyday institutions. As 2025 closes, Denmark bids farewell to a centuries-old tradition, embracing a future where physical mail plays a diminished but enduring role.
