The postal service enters a new era

BarcelonaTechnology, new consumption habits and changes in the ways we relate have ushered postal mail into a new era. For the first time, in 2025 in Spain, more packages than letters were sent, according to the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC). Globally, postal sector revenues are rising.

The traditional postal sector processed 1,164 million shipments, 7.7% less than in 2024, and the parcel sector processed 1,335 million, 10% more. The trends are accentuated compared to before the pandemic: in 2025, postal mail shipments fell by half compared to 2019, while 148% more packages were sent. The traditional sector earned 1,146 million euros and the parcel sector earned 7,325 million.

Traditional mail recovers revenue

Despite the decline in traditional mail, the turnover of this business segment grew during 2025, by 2.8%. Revenues also rose during 2025, after years of contraction, which placed turnover 17.1% below 2019 levels.

The sending of notifications was the only activity that increased within traditional mail: it grew both compared to the previous year and compared to before the pandemic. On the other hand, advertising is what fell the most. In 2025, about three out of every four mailings were letters or postcards (77.5%), even though they only contributed four out of every ten euros generated by the business.

According to the CNMC household panel, 13.5% of surveyed households send letters, while 43.4% receive them, and a similar proportion receives administrative notifications.

Small packages to individuals

On the other side of the scale, 61% of households received at least one package from an online purchase. The majority of shipments are packages under 2 kilos, transported within Spain and from companies to individuals.

Activity and revenue increased in the same proportion last year (10%), although, compared to 2019, revenue rose by 86% and the number of shipments by 148%. The public operator Correus holds 16% of the market share for parcel shipments, while it concentrates 80% in the traditional business. In parallel, private companies are growing in the business, which has gained strength in recent years and has been the majority since last year.