Key takeaways
- Royal Mail’s redirection service starts from £45 for the shortest option, based on the price stated on their own website at the time of writing.
- Setting it up takes a couple of minutes, but allow 2 to 3 working days after your start date for it to actually begin working.
- Redirected mail is processed as second class, so it can arrive a little slower than it did to your old address.
- Large parcels above Royal Mail’s size threshold generally aren’t covered, so you’ll still need to update delivery addresses with retailers directly.
- Prices and terms change, so it’s worth checking Royal Mail’s own page for the exact current figure before you commit.
Nobody sets up mail redirection for fun, but it’s one of the few moving jobs where a small amount of money buys real peace of mind. You’re not left wondering whether your new bank card or a hospital letter is sitting in a stranger’s hallway.
What it actually costs
For a single adult household:
| Duration
|
Starting price
|
Concessionary price
| | — | — | — | |
3 months
|
£45.00
|
£24.50
| |
6 months
|
£66.50
|
£32.00
| |
12 months
|
£95.00
|
£64.00
|
The concessionary offering is for customers who are in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
How long it takes to start working
Applying only takes a few minutes online. Once it’s set up, Royal Mail advises allowing 2 to 3 working days after your chosen start date before redirection is actually active, so it’s worth applying at least a week before you move rather than the night before.
What it doesn’t cover
Redirection covers letters and standard-sized mail, processed as second class. Larger parcels above Royal Mail’s size threshold generally fall outside the service, and anything addressed to “The Occupier” rather than you by name won’t be picked up either. That means redirection is a safety net for the post you’ve forgotten about, not a substitute for actually updating your address with banks, subscriptions and online retailers.
Once you’ve got redirection sorted, it’s worth working through the rest of who actually needs your new address. Our moving house checklist covers the wider list, and if you haven’t sorted a removal company yet, it’s worth comparing quotes before moving day gets closer.
In summary
Mail redirection is a small cost against real peace of mind, but the exact price depends on the duration you choose, and Royal Mail’s own site is the only place to confirm it accurately. Apply with enough lead time for the 2 to 3 day activation window, and treat it as a backup rather than your only plan for updating your address.
If you’re still working out who’s handling the move itself, Moving Compared lets you compare quotes from trusted conveyancers, surveyors and removal companies in one place, so the big decisions and the small admin like this can get sorted together.
FAQs
Are parcels redirected as well as letters?
Standard letters and smaller items are covered, but larger parcels above Royal Mail's size threshold generally aren't. It's worth updating your address directly with any retailer or service you order parcels from regularly.
Can I redirect mail for free?
No, Royal Mail's redirection service is a paid one starting from £45 based on the price on their site at the time of writing. There isn't a free version of the official service, though some people rely on simply asking the new occupant to forward anything that arrives, which isn't reliable.
What happens if I move again before the redirection period ends?
You can usually set up a new redirection for the fresh address, though you'd be paying for a new service period rather than adjusting the existing one. Check directly with Royal Mail on how they handle a second move within an active redirection.
Does redirection work for overseas addresses?
Royal Mail states you can redirect mail to an overseas address as well as a UK one, though pricing and delivery times are likely to differ from a UK to UK redirection. Confirm the specifics for your destination country when you set it up.
