Details about the market entry procedure (provider register)
The German Bundesrat gave its consent to the Postal Legislation Modernisation Act (PostModG) on 5 July 2024. The Act entered into force on 19 July 2024. The key changes to the market entry procedure under the revised German Postal Act (PostG) are explained below.
The new Postal Act does away with the distinction between a licence requirement and a notification requirement. Providers of postal services now have to apply to be entered in a provider register kept by the Bundesnetzagentur before they start operations. The registering process involves the Bundesnetzagentur checking that each provider has the necessary reliability, resources and expertise. The Bundesnetzagentur has to do this within four weeks of receiving a provider's application with all the necessary supporting documents.
The Bundesnetzagentur will enter an applicant in the provider register by the end of these four weeks unless it discovers anything to indicate that the applicant does not meet the requirements of the Postal Act. If the Bundesnetzagentur decides not to enter an applicant in the register, it will inform the applicant and explain why. The application form for entry in the provider register and further information are available online here.
Providers only operating post offices or self-service kiosks do not have to apply for entry in the register but have to send the Bundesnetzagentur information (current as at 1 January and 1 July) twice a year about their facilities. If post offices or self-service kiosks are operated under contract for another provider, that provider is responsible for sending the information. The Bundesnetzagentur will publish further information about the notification procedure in the second half of 2024.
Transitional arrangements are in place to ensure that all current providers can continue operations. The Bundesnetzagentur will automatically enter all holders of a valid postal licence in the provider register, so these holders do not have to apply. Providers notified to the Bundesnetzagentur can also continue to provide their postal services but have to have been entered in the provider register by 18 August 2026.
FAQ about market access for postal service providers
I only operate a post office/post offices offering postal services for customers (for instance a parcel shop). Do I have to do anything to be able to continue offering my services now the new Postal Act has come into force?
No. You just have to send the Bundesnetzagentur information (current as at 1 January and 1 July) twice a year about the facilities you operate. If you operate a post office under contract for another provider, that provider is responsible for sending the information to the Bundesnetzagentur.
I have a valid postal licence. Do I still have to apply to the Bundesnetzagentur for entry in the provider register?
No. You do not have to do anything to be able to continue operating. The Bundesnetzagentur will automatically enter you in the register.
I have notified the Bundesnetzagentur of my activities as a provider of postal services in accordance with the provisions of the old Postal Act. Do I have to do anything to be able to continue providing my services?
You can continue providing your services for the time being, but under the new Act you have to have been entered in the Bundesnetzagentur's provider register by 18 August 2026.
I notified the Bundesnetzagentur of my activities before 19 July 2024 but have not received any confirmation yet. What should I do?
If the Bundesnetzagentur received your notification on or before 18 July 2024, you can provide the postal services that you notified. You will receive confirmation of your notification soon. In this case, you have two years until you have to be entered in the provider register.
I sent in my notification under section 36 of the old Postal Act after 18 July 2024. What consequences does this have for my postal services?
If the Bundesnetzagentur received your notification under the old Postal Act on or after 19 July 2024, it is not valid. You will have to apply to the Bundesnetzagentur to be entered in the provider register before you can provide your postal services.
What do I have to do if my contact details, company details or postal services have changed or if I am stopping providing postal services?
Please inform the Bundesnetzagentur of any changes without delay. The Bundesnetzagentur will make the necessary changes in the provider register. If you have been entered in the provider register and inform the Bundesnetzagentur that you have stopped providing postal services, the Bundesnetzagentur will delete your entry from the register.
My entry with the postal services that I provided has been deleted from the provider register but I would like to start offering postal services again. What do I have to do?
If you have stopped providing postal services but decide to start offering services again, you have to send a new application for entry in the Bundesnetzagentur's provider register.
I have a different question. Who can I contact?
We are here to help if you have any other questions. Call us on +49 941 4626-333 or send an email to 314.Postfach@bnetza.de
