Hellenic Post

The Hellenic Post S.A. (Greek: Ελληνικά Ταχυδρομεία, abbreviated EΛTA, ELTA) is the state-owned provider of postal services in Greece. It succeeded the former government Postal Service, founded in 1828. ELTA provides a universal postal service to all parts of Greece and is a member of the Universal Postal Union. Services provided include, letter post; parcel service; deposit accounts; Swiftpost, a nationwide next-day delivery service; and the EMS international express mail service.

History

Hellenic Post was founded in 1828 along with the modern Greek state. Since 1996 it has been operating as a public limited company owned by the state.

In 1834 an agreement with French banker Feraldi ensure mail service to and from the islands, and in 1836 placed the first wagons for transporting mail between Athens and Piraeus. In 1860 the Law on stamps came into force and the first stamp was printed in Paris Mint first Greek, symbolically the head of Hermes.

In 1869 the Greek postal board the train while in 1874 was member in the postal administrations who established the Universal Postal Union in Berne. The 1892 telephony services were added to the responsibilities of the post.