Greece has shifted course on its Post Office (ELTA) restructuring plan following strong public and political reactions.
The government is recalibrating the previously announced closure of 204 Greek Post Office branches, acknowledging that access to postal services remains essential for local communities and regional cohesion.
Parliamentary briefing signals strategy adjustment
During a parliamentary hearing of the Committee on Institutions and Transparency, the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, and the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, together with representatives of the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP) and ELTA leadership, briefed lawmakers on the shutdown announcement.
The updated strategy now emphasizes selective transformation rather than blanket closures.
Flexible regional model introduced as part of Greece’s post office restructuring plan
According to the Greek Minister of Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the revised framework envisions transformation rather than elimination of most affected branches as part of Post Office (ELTA) restructuring plan. A total of 158 branches will undergo restructuring based on a flexible model tailored to the needs of each region.
In 28 cases, nearby ELTA Courier branches located within 100–200 meters may assume postal operations, allowing uninterrupted service for citizens. For 113 branches, restructuring will advance only after an ELTA agent is appointed and citizens receive clear and timely notification. Officials report strong interest from local stakeholders in taking on agency roles, indicating community-level support.
Branches retained for critical financial transactions
Seventeen branches will remain unchanged due to their essential role in supporting banking and financial services.
Officials emphasized that these decisions demonstrate consideration for local specificities, community needs, and reliance on postal banking services, rather than an inflexible cost-cutting approach.
Shop-in-Shop expansion under Greece’s post office restructuring plan
The restructuring plan, overseen by Greece’s HCAP, also prioritizes expansion of the shop-in-shop model. Post office service counters will be placed inside supermarkets, bookstores, press kiosks, and other retail locations. This model is currently in operation at approximately 500 points nationwide and has delivered positive outcomes in accessibility and efficiency.
The approach is intended to preserve broad geographical coverage while optimizing operational costs and modernizing ELTA’s logistics system.
Ensuring Long-Term viability and public service commitment
Government representatives stressed that the revised measures align with a broader modernization strategy for ELTA. The objective is to establish a sustainable, reliable, and digitally enhanced postal network serving citizens and businesses across Greece on equal terms. Officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining ELTA’s national and regional character.
Greek Minister of Economy noted that structural adjustments have historically been necessary to ensure ELTA’s viability, citing inherited monthly deficits of €7.5 million ($8,7 million) and the earlier closure of 77 branches.
Transformation initiatives, he argued, must continue to secure the organization’s long-term stability. The parliamentary discussion also underscored policy continuity across administrations following ELTA’s transfer under the HCAP supervisory framework.