Which post offices are closing today, the reasons why, and reactions in the affected communities.

From 3 November, the Greek Post Office (ELTA) is getting serious: over 200 branches across the country are closing, and this also affects Crete. On the island, 18 locations in various regions will be shut down.

These branches were real points of contact for many people. Now their doors will soon be closed.

The closures will bring about quite significant changes to the services offered. Many are wondering what will happen to accessibility and supply.

The decision is already causing quite a stir. The branches affected have so far handled a large part of the daily administration and communication on site.

These are the 18 ELTA branches in Crete that are closing!

Here are the 18 ELTA post offices in Crete that will soon be history:

The closures have sparked major protests in many places. Citizens, local groups, trade unions and associations are venting their anger.

Politicians are also getting involved, and the issue has even reached parliament. The rejection is quite clear.

ELTA wants to restructure its entire network with the closures. The postal service will remain active nationwide, but uncertainty is growing, especially in the affected regions.

Rural and less populated areas of Crete are particularly feeling the changes. People there now have to travel longer distances when they need postal services.

Many fear that the quality of service will suffer as a result. So it remains to be seen how things will develop.

The authorities and ELTA are looking for solutions, but nothing is really clear yet. Local people want reliable postal services, but whether there will be new concepts is anyone’s guess.

To recap, these 18 branches are affected:

• Agias Barbaras
• Alikianou
• Amari
• Arkalohori
• Archanon
• Vryson Apokorono
• Gazi
• Elounda
• Ierapetra
• Kolymbari
• Chersonissos
• Makry Gialos
• Malia
• Neapoli
• Alikarnassou
• Perama
• Souda
• Chania (K.D.)

In total, ELTA is closing 204 branches throughout Greece. There are 19 in Crete, but there are 18 names on this list.

Due to protests, it was decided at short notice to extend the implementation of the changes by three months for the branches in the region in order to conduct further consultations and explain the necessity of the interventions!

ELTA has problems, but it must survive

Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has made it quite clear: ELTA is in real trouble. Nevertheless, preserving the organisation is now the most important thing, even if it hurts.

What matters most for ELTA right now:

• Letter mail has fallen to only 10% of its former volume.
• The government has already injected capital.
• Voluntary redundancy programmes are underway to reduce costs.
• Around 200 branches are being closed to streamline the structure.

Pierrakakis says the money is only being used to secure ELTA. It is not about quick profits, but about long-term stability.

He emphasises that, despite all the problems, ELTA should remain an important part of the infrastructure. The company must modernise and adapt, there is no question about that.

Pierrakakis also considers the following to be important:

• No decision is made without thorough consideration.
• Services for citizens and businesses should be maintained.
• The focus is on long-term planning, not quick fixes.

The measures are aimed at sustainability. The savings are intended to secure the postal service, especially in rural areas—and that is quite crucial for many regions.

ELTA stands for change in the postal industry. Letters are becoming less common, while digital services and logistics are becoming more important.

This requires adjustments and investments, of course. But what is the alternative?

Overview of challenges and solutions

The government is backing ELTA, but is pushing for clear and decisive steps. The postal service should remain a reliable provider, even as times change.

ELTA is not simply being abandoned. Instead, the aim is to make it fit for the future and keep it economically stable.

The change is profound and affects employees and customers alike. Nevertheless, the goal remains the same: postal services should be maintained, and any interventions must be carefully considered.

10 questions and answers about ELTA

1) Why did ELTA decide to close 204 branches?
Some branches generated very little revenue, while their costs were quite high.
Many of these locations lost over £150,000 every year.

With these closures, ELTA wants to streamline its network and secure the future of the company.
Less than 10% of revenue comes from the branches, but they account for almost half of all costs.

2) Does the closure mean that ELTA will no longer offer postal services in these regions?
No, postal services will continue to operate everywhere.
ELTA relies on 1,400 postmen, 500 partners, 400 courier agents and numerous partner offices to provide its services.

3) How will older people and residents of remote areas continue to be served?
Postmen and partners take care of all communities.
For older or less mobile people, there are home visits, with staff using modern equipment such as mobile card readers (POS) and PDAs.

4) How will the closure affect employees?
ELTA wants to place the people affected in other jobs within the company or help them find new jobs.
The aim is to minimise the social impact on employees.

5) What role does digitalisation play at ELTA?
ELTA is investing in new technology and services to become faster and more customer-friendly.
Digitalisation is, so to speak, at the heart of the entire restructuring process.

6) How does ELTA guarantee the quality of postal services despite the branch closures?
With well-trained postmen, digital tools and partnerships, the service remains stable.
Service in the regions remains fully covered – at least according to ELTA.

7) What are the financial goals of the restructuring?
ELTA wants to reduce losses, save costs and prepare for the future.
This also includes reducing branch costs.

8) Have local authorities or associations reacted to the closures?
Many are criticising the closures and demanding that they be stopped or at least reconsidered.
There is also pressure on the Ministry of Finance and the company’s management to review the matter.

9) What new services is ELTA planning for the future?
In addition to traditional postal services, ELTA wants to deliver more parcels, expand courier services and create digital offerings.
Special services for businesses and private customers are also on the agenda.

10) What does the future hold for ELTA?
ELTA wants to position itself as a modern company and fulfil its mission with new ideas.
The restructuring is intended to lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

Important facts at a glance:

Further information and updates can be found on the official ELTA website:
Elta Portal

ELTA at Home – The postman of the new era at the citizen’s doorstep

With ‘ELTA at Home’, the Greek postal service brings its services right to your doorstep.
The system is based on a network of around 1,400 postmen, 500 ELTA partners and 400 courier delivery staff who are on the road every day throughout the country.

The delivery staff carry modern devices such as PDAs or mobile card terminals.
This enables them to process payments, collections, shipments and deliveries directly on site – practical and somehow contemporary.

Pensioners and people in remote areas in particular will not lose personal service as a result of the changeover.
When a post office closes, the responsible rural postman informs the residents and is available to arrange appointments.

Anyone who needs information or wants to make an appointment with the postman can call the call centre on 212 0000 700.
This makes contact fairly straightforward.

Important points about the ‘ELTA at home’ service:

The managing director of ELTA says: The post office is no longer just the branch around the corner.
With flexible technology and new structures, ELTA wants to reach people everywhere – quickly, digitally and easily.

Despite all the difficulties and competition, the service will remain available to everyone.
No island will be left without post, no citizen without contact – at least that is the plan.

Important: The switch to ‘ELTA at home’ is part of a larger network adjustment.
There will be fewer traditional branches, but customer care and service will become more personal and digital.

The programme focuses on greater efficiency and better service quality.
ELTA wants to maintain its connection to people, especially in remote regions, without leaving older or vulnerable groups behind.

CretaLive

Strong reactions in Crete too due to the closure of ELTA branches

The announcement to close so many branches has met with considerable resistance in Crete.
Local institutions, associations and many citizens are speaking out, expressing concern that important services will be lost and the social fabric will suffer.

Some mayors call the measures ‘dangerous’ and ‘insensitive’.
They are demanding that the plans be stopped immediately and reconsidered.

Major problems are anticipated, particularly for rural, mountainous or island regions.

Key points of criticism are:

• Loss of basic services such as payment processing and parcel delivery.
• No real alternatives such as mobile units or local agents.
• Negative consequences for everyday life and the economy in the region.

Political intervention at national level

The parliamentary group of PASOK-Kίνημα Αλλαγής has submitted a written question to the Minister for Digital Administration, Dimitrios Papastergiou.
MP Fragkiskos Parasyris has also signed the question.

The question states that, according to its contract, ELTA must offer affordable postal services everywhere.
Closures and mergers are seen as seriously jeopardising this obligation.

Quote from the question:
‘The systematic reduction of the ELTA network calls into question the universality and social mission of public postal services.’

Affected areas and reactions from the population

Remote areas of Crete are particularly hard hit. There, post offices are more than just financial service providers – they are meeting places, small social hubs.

The residents are not taking this lying down. They are organising meetings, holding protest rallies and loudly demanding that their post offices remain open.

Statements from organisations and trade unions

The national trade union for postal workers (P.O.S.T.) is clearly opposed to the closures. It warns of the loss of important services and is preparing protest actions.

Local representatives are also speaking out. They criticise the poor communication from above and demand more transparency and genuine participation for the communities affected.

Creta Live

The 46 ELTA branches that are closing as of today

From Monday, 3 November, the Greek postal service (ELTA) is getting serious: 46 branches are closing. This is part of a restructuring plan aimed at streamlining the network and making it more efficient.

The branches affected are located in various regions. A particularly large number are in the major cities.

List of branches affected in the Attica region:

• Agios Ierotheos
• Agios Ioannis Rentis
• Athens Airport
• Acropolis (ATH 171)
• Alimos
• Maroussi (2 branches, including Carrefour)
• Ano Liosia
• Aspropyrgos
• Voula
• Vrilissia
• Galatsi
• Gerakas
• Dafni
• Drapetsona
• Thiseio (ATH 18)
• Thrakomakedones
• K.E.M.P. Paradisou Maroussi
• Kalamaki
• Kallipoli
• Kamatero
• Koumoundourou (ATH 49)
• Kypseli (ATH 13)
• Lenorman
• Metamorfosi
• Mitropoleos (ATH 54)
• Neapoli Athens (ATH 1)
• Nea Erythraia
• Nea Filadelfeia
• Nikaia
• Perama
• Piraeus
• Kaisariani Square
• Chaidari
• Cholargos

Affected branches in other regions:

The Athens Trade Association is calling for the plan to be reviewed, particularly with regard to the branch on Mitropoleos Street. In its view, a local, objective assessment is needed to ensure that the economy and services do not fall by the wayside.

Background to the decision

ELTA is closing these branches because they are not very busy. The management wants to modernise services and make them more sustainable.

Impact

• People living in the affected areas will have to travel further to the nearest post office in future.
• There is discontent in some municipalities, and protests are taking place.
• The Trade Association hopes that those responsible will reconsider so as not to harm local businesses and services.

Overview of the most important facts

The Greek postal services are currently undergoing some major changes. They want to finally use their resources more efficiently.

Creta Live

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