Prices for letters and postcards delivered within Germany will remain the same in 2010, Deutsche Post DHL and the Federal Network Agency, which regulates letter prices, have agreed.

Postage for a standard letter in the country will stay at just over half a euro (55 cents) for the eighth year since a price reduction in 2003 while the quality of service stays as high as today, reports Hellmail.co.uk

Prices for postcards, compact letter, large and over-sized letters and special mail services are also pegged.

However, the cost of sending international large letters – Großbrief (Europe), weighing up to 500 grams – will rise from €3 to €3.40 and there will be price increases for the International Cash On Delivery service and for international letters charged at kilogram rates.