Stamp prices 2026: how much a first and second class stamp costs

A first class stamp has cost £1.80 and a second class stamp 91p since 7 April 2026, according to Royal Mail.

First class went up by 10p and second class by 4p. Royal Mail announced the rises on 6 March, saying they reflect the continued rise in the cost of delivering every letter as letter volumes decline and the number of addresses increases.

Why did stamp prices rise?

When it announced the rises, Royal Mail said the average household received only four letters a week, down from 14 at the peak more than 20 years ago, while the number of addresses had risen by four million.

“We always consider price changes very carefully, balancing affordability with the rising cost of delivering mail,” said Richard Travers, Managing Director of Letters at Royal Mail. He added: “On average, UK adults now spend just £6.50 each year on stamps and there are 70% fewer letters sent than 20 years ago.”

How do UK stamp prices compare with Europe?

Royal Mail says the second class price is 65p below the European average of £1.56. It puts the first class price 13p below the average of £1.93. The company calculated the averages across 29 countries in November 2025.

Under the universal service in France, Germany and Spain, Royal Mail says, customers can only pay for a three-day service. France charges £1.92 for a second class stamp, which Royal Mail points out is 12p more than a first class, next day, service in the UK.

What is changing next?

On 16 October Royal Mail said it is developing a targeted stamp discount scheme to support 10 million low-income customers. It intends the scheme to go live from April 2027, subject to Ofcom’s decision on the Second Class safeguard cap, and did not say how large the discount would be.

Royal Mail added that Ofcom had announced the same day that it is proposing to extend the Second Class safeguard cap until March 2028.

Where are other Royal Mail prices?

The March release gives only the first and second class stamp prices. Royal Mail says all of its prices are listed on its website under Our Prices, at royalmail.com/prices2026.

When are Royal Mail’s Christmas posting dates?

Royal Mail announced last year’s Christmas posting dates on 24 November 2025: the last recommended posting dates for Christmas cards were 17 December for Second Class mail and 20 December for First Class. No 2026 dates had appeared in its press releases by 26 October.