Quietly closing: Dozens of Hungarian post offices shut down across the country

A wave of post office closures is quietly sweeping across Hungary, as the state postal service retreats from numerous small towns and villages. This shift, largely unnoticed, will see many post offices close their doors by mid-September. In their place, alternative operators—such as local businesses and cooperatives—are stepping in to manage postal services. However, this transition leaves many communities grappling with limited services or relying on mobile post offices. With contracts expiring and uncertainty about future agreements, the fate of these post offices remains precarious.

Numerous post offices shutting down across Hungary

In late August, the state postal service updated its website with a list of post offices that will either close or continue operating under postal partnerships from mid-September, Economx reports. Among the affected towns are Pusztakovácsi, Szalonna, Nagypeterd, Somogyfajsz, Szelevény, and Tiszasas, where post offices will shut down or be integrated into local businesses.

In many rural areas, where local governments were unable to provide space or funds to sustain post offices, Coop stores have stepped in. These stores offered postal services in exchange for energy-efficient renovations through a state modernisation grant. However, with the postal service contracts nearing their end, it remains uncertain how many Coop stores will continue their involvement.

Devastating impact on smaller settlements

The impact on small communities is evident. For instance, residents of Homokszentgyörgy now rely on a mobile post office that visits for just half an hour each day.

“It’s frustrating for many, as they were used to having the post office open every morning during the week,”

village mayor János Czinke told Népszava. Prior to August, the village provided a space for the post office in the municipal building, even only asking for a symbolic amount of rent to keep the branch open. However, with no funds to cover the postal employee’s salary, the post office could not remain operational.

Despite attempts, the village has been unable to find a business willing to take over postal operations. Now, residents must travel to Szulok for postal services, after the post office in the neighbouring town of Lad was also closed by the state.

Post offices, a state service, “offered” to municipalities

This scenario is mirrored in other parts of the country. In Borsodbóta, a village in the Ózd district, Mayor János Gulyás revealed that the Hungarian Post (Magyar Posta) had offered the municipality the option of managing the local post office earlier this year.

“We’re not going to shoulder this responsibility,” said Gulyás, pointing out that post offices are a state service.

With two nearby offices already closed, Borsodbóta could be next, but the village will not take over operations as they are already stretched financially.

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