Postal codes in Austria, known locally as 'Postleitzahlen', were introduced in 1966 and consist of four digits. The first digit identifies a geographic delivery area, the second a routing area, the third the route the mail takes, and the fourth the post office outlet in the routing city. Each post office has its own number. The system is fundamental to the nation's logistical infrastructure, providing a systematic means of organising mail delivery and geographical categorisation.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of introduction | 1 January 1966 |
Number of digits | 4 |
First digit | Identifies a geographic delivery area in Austria, often one of the nine federal states |
Second digit | Identifies a routing area or a regional area in the state |
Third digit | Defines the route the mail takes (e.g. by car, truck, or train) |
Fourth digit | Stands for the post office outlet in the routing city |
Pronunciation | First two digits, then last two |
Example | 1011 for the city of Vienna is pronounced "ten, eleven Vienna" |
What You'll Learn
Austrian postal codes are four digits long
Austrian postal codes, introduced in 1966, are four digits long. The first of these four digits represents the geographic delivery area, with each of the nine Austrian states assigned a number. For example, the code 1xxx denotes Vienna. The second digit identifies a regional area or district within the state. The third digit defines the route the mail will take, whether that be by car, truck, or train. Finally, the fourth digit stands for the post office outlet in the routing city.
For example, the code 1010 denotes the city centre of Vienna. The first digit, 1, indicates the state, which in this case is Vienna. The second digit, 0, indicates the district within the city. The third, also 0, indicates the route that the mail will take. The final digit, another 0, indicates the post office.
There are some exceptions to this rule. In Vienna, the second and third numbers indicate the district, so 1120 would be the twelfth district. Additionally, some cities close to the German border in Vorarlberg have both Austrian and German postcodes.
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The first digit represents a broad region
Austria's postal codes, known locally as 'Postleitzahlen', were introduced in 1966 and consist of four digits. The first digit of these postal codes represents a broad region or one of Austria's nine federal states.
The number "one" is Vienna, number "two" is specific to the east and south of Lower Austria and northern Burgenland, number "three" to the west of Lower Austria and southeastern Upper Austrian, number "four" is attributed to Upper Austria and the western area of Lower Austria, number "five" represents Salzburg, and number "six" represents a part of Western Upper Austria, including a part of Tyrol and Vorarlberg North. Number "seven" represents Burgenland and Styria, number "eight" defines southern Burgenland, and number "nine" defines Carinthia and East Tyrol.
However, there are exceptions, especially at the borders of the federal states. For example, some cities close to the German border in Vorarlberg have Austrian and German postcodes. Additionally, in Vienna, the second and third numbers indicate the district, so 1120 would be the twelfth district.
The first digit is crucial for efficient mail delivery and geographical categorization, providing a broad regional categorization that helps localize addresses across Austria's diverse landscape.
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The second digit identifies a more specific area
Austria's postal codes were introduced in 1966 and consist of four digits. The first digit identifies a geographic delivery area in Austria, with each number representing one of the nine Austrian states (also known as Bundesland). For example, the number "one" is Vienna, "two" is specific to the east and south of Lower Austria, and "three" is the west of Lower Austria.
The third digit defines the route that the mail takes, whether by car, truck, or train. Finally, the fourth digit stands for the post office outlet in the routing city. Each post office has its own unique number.
There are some exceptions to this rule, such as in Vienna, where the second and third numbers indicate the district. Additionally, some cities close to the German border in Vorarlberg have both Austrian and German postcodes.
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The third digit defines the route the mail takes
Austria's postal codes were introduced in 1966 and are known locally as 'Postleitzahlen', which translates to 'postal codes' in English. The country's system consists of four digits, with each digit serving a specific purpose. The first digit often represents one of Austria's nine federal states, while the second digit indicates a regional area or district within that state.
The third digit is where the route of mail delivery comes into play. This digit defines the specific path the mail will take, whether it be by railway or post car routes. This level of detail ensures that mail can be efficiently routed across the country. It is important to note that while the third digit generally follows this pattern, there are exceptions, particularly in areas close to the German border in Vorarlberg, where some cities have both Austrian and German postcodes.
The fourth and final digit indicates the specific post office within the routing city. This means that every post office in Austria has its own unique number within the postal code system. This systematic approach to postal codes is instrumental in facilitating the precise localization of addresses and efficient mail delivery across Austria's diverse landscape.
In summary, the third digit of Austria's postal codes plays a crucial role in defining the route that mail takes during delivery. By taking into account the mode of transportation, such as railways or post cars, this digit ensures that mail can be efficiently directed to its destination, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the country's logistical infrastructure.
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The fourth digit indicates the post office
Austria's postal codes were introduced in 1966 and are known locally as 'Postleitzahlen'. They are a fundamental aspect of the nation's logistical infrastructure, providing a systematic means of organising mail delivery and geographical categorisation. The four-digit system is as follows: the first digit identifies a geographic delivery area, the second a routing area, the third defines the route the mail takes (by car, truck or train), and the fourth digit indicates the post office outlet in the routing city. Each post office has its own number.
The fourth digit is important as it ensures that each post office has its own unique identifier. This is essential for efficient mail delivery and localisation of addresses. For example, the postal code 1000 represents Vienna's distribution centre, while 4005 is the ZIP code for the overseas Linz centre.
In addition to the standard four-digit system, there are also some special postcodes. For example, the airport has its own postcode (1300), the UN has 1400, and some large companies also have unique postcodes. These special postcodes are not listed in the public phone book but can be found in a book that can be purchased at an Austrian post office.
The Austrian postal code system is designed to facilitate efficient mail delivery and localisation of addresses across the country's diverse landscape. The fourth digit, indicating the post office, plays a crucial role in this system by providing a precise location for mail delivery.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Austria has had a four-digit postal code system since 1966.
The first digit identifies a geographic delivery area, the second a routing area, the third defines the route the mail takes (e.g. by car, truck or train) and the fourth stands for the post office outlet in the routing city.
Austrian postal codes range from 1000 to 9992. The lowest, 1000, is for Vienna, and the highest, 9992, is for Iselsberg-Stronach in the state of Tirol.