Slovak Post Proposes Closing Dozens of Branches; Regulatory Authority Confirms

Slovak Post is undergoing a significant transformation, aiming to streamline its operations and adapt to changing market dynamics. The company has submitted 75 proposals for branch closures since the beginning of the year, with the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (TUSR) having reviewed 19 of them by April 20th. These measures are a direct response to the increasing costs of doing business and a decline in revenue from certain services.

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The Authority assesses each proposal for the cancellation of a specific access or contact point of the public postal network, from the perspective of compliance with the requirements for the quality of universal service.

The rationale behind these proposed closures is multifaceted. Slovak Post cites rising input costs and a decrease in revenue from specific products as key drivers. Furthermore, the company is seeking to achieve anticipated savings in personnel and operational expenses associated with maintaining its extensive network of physical locations. The goal is to create a more sustainable and efficient postal service for the future.

While Slovak Post is pushing for these closures, the TUSR plays a crucial role in ensuring that the public's access to essential postal services is not compromised. The authority meticulously evaluates each proposal, considering its impact on users and the preservation of universal service accessibility, particularly in terms of geographical reach and the continued delivery of mail and parcels. The final decision on whether to close a branch and when rests with Slovak Post, but it must align with the quality indicators set by the TUSR.

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The requirements for the quality of universal service define the minimum requirements for the availability and density of the public postal network to ensure universal service. In the Slovak Republic, the number of branches is not precisely defined by legislation, as for example in the Czech Republic.

This strategic overhaul is not new for Slovak Post. In 2025, the company already closed 45 branches. The current optimization plan targets a reduction from the existing 1,317 branches, of which a staggering 1,067 are currently loss-making. Director-General Vladislav Kupka highlighted that based on its postal license, Slovak Post would ideally need only 852 branches to fulfill its obligations, suggesting a substantial surplus in its current network. The company is also exploring innovative solutions, such as a 'small post office' concept, which could be operated by local entities like municipalities or shops, potentially bringing postal services back to communities that might otherwise lose them.

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Slovak Post operates on the basis of a postal license, which imposes geographical rules where the post must be. According to this license, 852 post offices would currently be sufficient.