Deutsche Post’s self-service post offices

German postal operator Deutsche Post has created a self-service postal solution called Poststation.

The Poststation integrates parcel lockers, a letter posting box, and a self-service facility for purchasing postage for letters or parcels. Poststations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are located in urban and rural areas.

Customers interact with the Poststation via a touchscreen. If customers require assistance, they can contact Deutsche Post customer service via video chat on the Poststation screen.

Postage and parcel stamps can be purchased using Visa and MasterCard as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay.

The first Poststations were installed in 2021 and have been gradually rolled out across Germany.

New postal legislation comes into effect in Germany from 1 January 2025. Under the new postal law, there must continue to be 12,000 post offices throughout Germany.

It is becoming increasingly difficult, especially in rural areas, for Deutsche Post to find partners to operate post offices. Under the postal law changes, Deutsche Post's self-service kiosks (Poststations) will count together with its post offices towards meeting the company's nationwide service obligations, provided that the kiosks have been approved by the Bundesnetzagentur (the national postal regulator) in consultation with the municipalities concerned.

The postal regulator points out that as the self-service kiosks can be used around the clock, this is likely to mean a considerable improvement in quality for consumers, as long as the kiosks are accessible for people with disabilities and easy to use.