"La Poste must stop the race for profit!": the price of stamps increases (again) and is annoying

Stamp prices are set to rise again. In a press release, La Poste announced a price increase effective January 1, 2026. The cost of postage for letters and parcels will increase by an average of 7.4%, including a nearly 10% (9.35%) increase for the green stamp—used for everyday mail—which will rise from €1.39 to €1.52.

The public group explains this increase by the obligation " to ensure the sustainability of the universal postal service with high quality" . Indeed, the constant decline in the number of letters sent mechanically leads to a decrease in La Poste's revenue, year after year. In 2024, rates had already increased by an average of 6.8%.

Angélique Grosmaire, general secretary of the Sud PTT union at La Poste, expressed regret on RMC this Monday about "the price of stamps becoming a really expensive product in the midst of a social crisis."

The union learned of the price increases on Monday evening. "We are surprised by this decision, since La Poste makes 1.4 billion in profits. This decision to make users pay for this increase, with a service, in addition, that is deteriorating more and more due to the choices that La Poste has been making for several years, is highly questionable," Angélique Grosmaire explained on Apolline Matin .

"La Poste must stop its profit-driven pursuit at the expense of public service and the working conditions of postal workers," insists the union representative.

Users are starting to get fed up with these annual increases in stamp prices. While the number of letters mailed decreases each year , some are still forced to use the postal service. "Over the course of a year, I go there about ten times," Maiama told RMC . "Usually, it's for administrative matters, like taxes."

Next year, the booklet of 12 stamps will cost nearly 18 euros, and according to her, "it's totally inconsistent. I thought he should come together to make our lives easier."

This anger is explained by the fact that La Poste remains a public service, which leads to incomprehension regarding these regular increases. The 2026 increase will be the fifth in six years. "It's no longer a public service," Franck sighs. "Because I think the state isn't doing what's necessary to provide them with enough subsidies to continue. To keep their system going, they're forced to act this way. And little by little, everything increases."

Despite the costs, some still prefer mailing. This is a form of support to prevent the stamp from disappearing. "It's true that the cost is increasing a lot," admits Théna, who is passionate about writing. "But I want to continue to benefit from this service. Plus, there are some very nice collectible stamps, and it helps maintain jobs."

But then, why does the price of the stamp increase so much each year? The company justifies these increases by the need to ensure its sustainability . For François Auguste, member of the collective J'aime ma Poste , this is not quite the case: "It is a deliberate policy of the La Poste group, which consists of financializing its activities . This is a very severe attack on access to public service." Since 2020, the price of the green stamp has increased by 40%.