Confirming Austrian Mailing Addresses: The Ultimate Guide

Sending mail to Austria requires you to follow the country's specific postal guidelines. The correct address format should include the recipient's name, street address or PO Box, postal code, city, and country. Austrian postal codes are four or five digits long and must be included in the address. The city or town name follows the postal code, and the country name, AUSTRIA, should be written in capital letters on the last line for international mail. Addresses should be written in German, although international mail may include English translations for key terms.

Write the recipient's name and address

When writing the recipient's name and address for a letter to Austria, it's important to follow the correct format to ensure your letter reaches its destination promptly. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

Start with the recipient's full name, including any appropriate titles. This should be written on the first line of the address. For business addresses, begin with the company name, followed by the recipient's name or department. You can use the German "Attn:" before the recipient's name if you wish, but it's not necessary.

Next, write the street address. The street name should be written first, followed by the house or building number without any punctuation. If the address includes sub-building information, such as an apartment or floor number, you can use a forward slash "/" to separate these elements. For example, "Wiener Brauhausstraße 6/6/2" indicates that "Wiener Brauhausstraße" is the street name, "6" is the building number, and "6/2" are the sub-building details.

If the recipient uses a PO Box, replace the street address with "Postfach" (the German word for PO Box), followed by the appropriate box number. For example, "Franz Müller, Postfach 789, 5020 Salzburg, AUSTRIA".

In rural areas, where formal street names may not exist, include the name of the village or settlement, followed by the nearest larger town or city, the postal code, and the country. For example, "Hannah Gruber, Dorfstraße 15, 3150 Wilhelmsburg, AUSTRIA".

It's important to note that German is the official language in Austria, so addresses are typically written in German. However, for international mail, you can include English translations for key terms, such as "Postfach" for PO Box.

Format the street address and number

When formatting the street address and number for a mailing address in Austria, it is important to follow the country's specific conventions to ensure your mail reaches its destination efficiently. Here are the key points to keep in mind:

Language: German is the official language in Austria, so addresses should be written in German. However, for international mail, you can include English translations for key terms, such as "Postfach" for PO Box.

Street Name and Number: Write the street name in German, typically using \"Strasse\" or "Straße" for Street, followed by the house or building number without any punctuation. For example, "123 Hauptstraße" or "456 Bergstraße."

Sub-building Elements: In Austria, addresses may include sub-building elements such as entrance, floor, or apartment. You can use a forward slash "/" to separate these elements from the main building number. For example, "Wiener Brauhausstraße 6/6/2" where "6" is the building number, and "6/2" are the sub-building details.

Placement in the Address: The street address and number are typically placed at the top of the envelope in Austria, followed by the recipient's name and additional address details. This format aids in efficient delivery and helps avoid issues with mail sorting.

Capitalization and Alignment: Write the address in capital letters for clarity and legibility. Ensure that all lines of the address are left-aligned to make it easy to read and process for the postal service.

Include the postal code

When addressing mail to Austria, it is essential to include the correct postal code to ensure your mail reaches its destination promptly. Austrian postal codes are structured as four- or five-digit numbers, which can be different from other countries' systems. For example, the postal code for Vienna is 1010, making it a straightforward and concise format. The first digit of the four-digit postal code represents the state or province, and the last three digits represent the specific locality. In a five-digit postal code, the first two digits represent the district or larger area, and the last three digits pinpoint the specific location or street within that district. This system provides a precise way to identify different regions and neighbourhoods across Austria.

The Austrian postal service is known for its speed and reliability, with domestic mail usually delivered within one to two business days. Delays may occur during peak periods, such as holidays or pandemics. To ensure timely and accurate delivery, always include the correct postal code. Additionally, when writing an Austrian address, use the forward slash mark to separate sub-building elements or include the sub-building descriptors. For instance, in the address 'Wiener Brauhausstraße 6/6/2', 'Wiener Brauhausstraße' is the street name, '6' is the building number, and '6' and '2' are the sub-building details such as the block and house number, respectively.

When addressing an envelope to an Austrian recipient, it is essential to follow the country's specific postal guidelines. The address should include the recipient's name, street address, city, and postal code. The city name should be written in full, and the postal code should be in the format of a four- or five-digit number. Austria uses a unique system where the street name and house number are placed at the top of the envelope, followed by the recipient's name and address details. This format ensures efficient delivery and helps avoid any potential issues with mail sorting.

It is worth noting that Austria uses a similar postal code system to Germany and Switzerland, which can be advantageous for international senders. However, always double-check the specific postal code for the recipient's exact location to ensure accuracy. Remember, including the correct postal code is crucial for efficient mail delivery in Austria. It helps the postal service quickly route mail to the intended recipient, providing a timely and reliable service.

Write the city name in German

When addressing mail to Austria, it is important to write the address in German, the official language of Austria. This is true even for international mail, though you may include English translations for key terms. For example, "Postfach" is used for PO Box.

[Recipient's name]

[Street name and house/building number]

[Postal code and city]

AUSTRIA

Note that Austrian addresses do not always contain sub-building information, such as an apartment or floor number. However, if the address does include sub-building information, you can use a forward slash to separate the building and sub-building elements. For example, "Wiener Brauhausstraße 6/6/2", where "Wiener Brauhausstraße" is the street name, "6" is the building number, and "6" and "2" are the sub-building details, such as the block and house number, respectively.

• Wien (Vienna)
• Salzburg
• Krems
• Graz
• Innsbruck
• Linz
• Klagenfurt
• Villach
• Wels
• Sankt Pölten

Write AUSTRIA in capital letters

When sending mail to Austria, it is important to use the correct address format and include the postal code to ensure timely and accurate delivery. Austrian postal codes are structured as four or five digits, which can be different from other countries' systems. For example, the postal code for Vienna is 1010, and the first two digits of the code represent the district or larger area, while the last three digits pinpoint the specific location or street within that district.

The address should include the recipient's name, street address, city, and postal code. The street name and house number are placed at the top of the envelope, followed by the recipient's name and address details. This format is:

[Recipient's full name]/[Street name and house or building number]/[Place of residence]/[Postal code]

For example:

Franz Müller/Schillerstraße 10/1010/Wien

For business addresses, the format is:

[Company name]/[Recipient's name or department]/[Street address or PO Box]/[Postal code and city]/[Country]

For instance:

XYZ GmbH/Attn: Franz Müller/Schillerstraße 10/1010/Wien/AUSTRIA

For mail sent to a PO Box, replace the street address with "Postfach", followed by the box number. An example of this format is:

Franz Müller/Postfach 789/5020/Salzburg/AUSTRIA

In rural areas without formal street names, include the name of the village or settlement, followed by the nearest larger town or city, the postal code, and the country. It is recommended to include a phone number for courier services, especially for rural or hard-to-reach locations.

When addressing an envelope to an Austrian recipient, it is essential to use the German language for the address, as English is not widely used for postal addresses in Austria.

Frequently asked questions