After more than 400 years of mail delivery, PostNord will deliver its final letter on December 30, 2025. Starting in 2026, Danish company Dao will take over all letter services across Denmark.
A Historic Shift in Danish Mail
From January 1, 2026, Denmark will close a chapter that began in the 1600s. The state-run PostNord will officially stop distributing physical letters, ending over four centuries of mail history. In its place, Dao will take full responsibility for mail delivery nationwide.
The change marks a major moment for the country’s postal system. The familiar red PostNord mailboxes that once lined Danish streets will be removed, and letter prices, delivery methods, and postage rules will all be updated under the new operator.
When Will PostNord Stop Operating?
The final day to mail a regular letter using PostNord will be December 18, 2025. Quick letters can still be submitted until December 29 and will be delivered the following day. After that, PostNord’s 400-year era in letter distribution officially ends.
What Happens to Stamps?
Traditional PostNord stamps will become invalid in 2026. They will be replaced by new “letter marks,” available digitally through Dao’s website and app. Prices will depend on the letter’s weight and destination.
Those with unused stamps from 2024 and 2025 can request refunds by sending them as parcels to PostNord for verification. Refunds are expected to be processed within about three weeks.
The Fate of the Red Mailboxes
The iconic red postboxes will disappear from Danish streets. Instead, Dao mailboxes will be placed at Dao parcel shops—typically located in convenience stores or kiosks where people already pick up packages.
In mid-December, PostNord offered the old mailboxes for sale at 1,500 to 2,000 kroner each. Demand was so high that retail partner Føtex temporarily faced technical issues on its website. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Danmarks Indsamling charitable fundraiser on January 31, 2026. These red boxes, first introduced in 1851 alongside Denmark’s postage stamps, are deeply rooted in national identity.
Mailboxes at Home Still Required
Every Danish household must continue to have a private mailbox, as required by law. Dao will deliver letters directly to those boxes, just as PostNord has done.
Will It Be Cheaper?
Surprisingly, sending letters will become slightly cheaper. Dao’s rates are currently lower than PostNord’s, though they still vary by weight and delivery speed. For instance, a regular 100-gram letter within Denmark will cost 23 kroner with Dao compared to 29 kroner under PostNord. For a heavier 250-gram letter, Dao will charge 46 kroner rather than 58 kroner.
International letters will also see small reductions. A 100-gram international letter will cost 46 kroner under Dao compared to 50 kroner with PostNord.
How to Send and Receive Letters
Beginning January 1, 2026, Danes must send letters through Dao instead of PostNord. The new Dao mailboxes will be installed in parcel locations nationwide. Customers can drop off letters, or for an added 10 kroner fee, Dao will pick them up from home.
Before mailing, senders must purchase a digital letter mark or a numeric code via Dao’s app or website. This replaces traditional stamps and is a more flexible way to handle postage.
As for recipients, deliveries will work almost the same as before. Letters will still arrive in home mailboxes, but Dao will now manage access and delivery routes across the country.
Handling of Official and Critical Mail
Dao will also take over responsibility for all critical post, including official election materials such as voter cards. The company has already formed a special taskforce to ensure the secure and timely delivery of such mail for the next national election expected in 2026.
Sending Mail Abroad
Sending letters internationally will still be possible. People simply need to buy a Dao international letter mark instead of one for domestic use. Otherwise, the process remains unchanged.
In the end, this transition marks not just a change in postal operators but a transformation in how everyday communication happens in Denmark. With Denmark’s growing focus on digital solutions and sustainability, Dao’s approach may set a new standard for how modern mail delivery operates in the years ahead.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Dao Leads Denmark in Reliable Mail Delivery
The Danish Dream: Best Mail and Delivery Services in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Efter 400 år er det slut – snart overtager Dao for Postnord
