OREANDA-NEWS. April 24, 2014. Even though the German postal rate for a standard letter rose by 2 cents to EUR 0.60 in January, the price of a stamp continues to rank in the mid-range among European prices and below the European average, according to the latest European postal-rate comparison.

The 13th version of the annual European postal-rate study analyzes the rates for standard letters in all 28 EU member countries as well as those in Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. Since the 2013 study was conducted, postal rates have been raised in 14 European countries. The rate for a standard letter in Norway is currently EUR 1.28. By contrast, it is only EUR 0.26 in Malta.

When such fundamental factors as dissimilar purchasing power and labor costs found in individual countries are taken into consideration, Germany's postal rates rank among the most favorable in Europe.

Over the past 10 years, postal rates have risen by nearly 20 percent on an inflation-adjusted basis. By contrast, the German rate for a standard letter has fallen since 2004 by nearly 8 percent on an inflation-adjusted basis. A sharper decline was seen only in Portugal, Cyprus and Croatia.

Deutsche Post also charges favorable rates for a letter sent from Germany to other European countries (the Europabrief): While Europeans pay an average of EUR 1.03 for an international letter, the cost of the German Europabrief remains EUR 0.75.