To ensure the provision of all types of postal services, a universal postal service (UPS) provider is found through a public competition. Currently, this is the state-owned company Eesti Post (Omniva).
The public competition is organised by the Estonian Competition Authority every five years. The next competition will be in 2029.
The volume of universal postal services has been steadily declining in recent years. The market for express mail services is growing, with a volume growth of approximately 10% per year. Nearly 30 companies provide services in this field.
AS Eesti Post (Omniva)Universal postal service
NOVA POST Estonia OÜPostal service
Postal services
Postal services are considered to be the delivery of a postal item addressed for economic purposes.
A postal item is a letter (up to 2 kg), a postal parcel (up to 20 kg) and periodicals.
The delivery of written notices and other items in one's own name and for the purpose of one's own economic activities is not classified as a postal item.
Entering the postal services market
The postal service license is issued by the Estonian Competition Authority.
To guarantee the high quality and affordability of the postal services throughout Estonia, the Competition Authority also supervises the postal market by monitoring compliance with the requirements set out in the Postal Act and the legislation established on its basis.
When is a service license required?
Service license is required for
- the provision of a universal postal service,
- the delivery of letters,
- the delivery of parcels.
The universal postal service provider is determined through a public competition organized by the Estonian Competition Authority.
When is a service license not required?
Service license is not required for the delivery of
- periodicals,
- direct mail,
- courier mail.
A legal entity wishing to commence the provision of postal services for which an activity licence is not required must notify the Estonian Competition Authority in writing no later than ten days before commencing the activity. The information contained in the notification shall be published in the register.
Current market situation
The postal services market has changed rapidly in recent years: traditional letter mail is declining, while the share of parcel deliveries is increasing and customer expectations are evolving — they seek faster, more flexible, and more digital solutions.
The volume of traditional postal services, i.e. the universal postal service (UPS), which includes the delivery of letters and postal parcels, has decreased in Estonia by approximately 75% over the past five years.
To adapt to the rapid changes in the market, the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture has initiated amendments to the Postal Act, which were submitted to Parliament at the end of 2025. Greater emphasis is placed on postal service providers, including updating and easing the requirements applicable to them to better reflect actual needs. However, several significant changes in the planned amendments, which will shape the nature of the universal postal service, are also important from the perspective of service users and public.
Privatisation of Aktsiaselts Eesti Post (Omniva)
As part of the adaptation to the rapidly changing market, the Government of the Republic of Estonia has decided to proceed with the privatisation of Omniva, which is currently 100% owned by the Estonian state, by divesting its shares in the company through a public auction.
Omniva provides a nationwide postal network development and management service and must ensure the provision of both domestic and international postal services. The company's main strategic objective is to ensure a sustainable and high-quality UPS for people in Estonia. It is obligated to provide UPS in Estonia until 2029.
In recent years, the company's focus has clearly shifted toward commerce and logistics services. Omniva serves customers in all three Baltic states and operates as an international logistics network in more than ten countries. Meanwhile, as of 2025, UPS accounts for 5% of Omniva's €155 million net revenue, with the majority of profits earned abroad.
The privatisation does not change the principles of UPS provision. The obligation to provide the service arises from regulation and the state will continue to have the means to ensure the continuity of the service. Omniva's obligation to provide and develop the universal postal service will remain in force even after privatisation, at least until 2029, when a new public competition to find UPS provider is organised.
Last updated: 09.04.2026
