Leslie Massey
Austria's postal codes, locally known as 'Postleitzahlen', are four-digit numbers that were introduced in 1966 to help organise mail delivery and geographical categorisation. The first digit of the postal code typically represents one of Austria's nine federal states, with the remaining three digits further refining the geographical scope, identifying specific districts, municipalities, and post offices. Proper formatting of an Austrian address includes the recipient's name, address, city, and postal code, with AUSTRIA written in capital letters on the last line for international mail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of digits | 4 |
| First digit | Represents one of Austria's nine federal states |
| Second digit | Indicates the regional area in the state |
| Third digit | For the routing allocation, following railways and post car routes |
| Fourth digit | Represents the post office |
| Special post codes | The airport (1300), the UN (1400), Austrian Crusher Post (1008), ORF (1136) |
| Pronunciation | First two digits and then the last two |
| Example | "ten, eleven Vienna" for 1011 |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian postal codes are four digits long
Austrian postal codes, introduced in 1966 and known locally as 'Postleitzahlen', are four digits long. They are a fundamental aspect of the nation's logistical infrastructure, providing a systematic means of organising mail delivery and geographical categorisation. Each of the nine federal states in Austria is assigned one of the single digits from one to nine, which provides a broad regional categorisation.
The first two digits of the postal code indicate the regional area or state, while the third digit represents the tracking of letters on the way in vehicles and trains. The fourth digit represents the post office. For example, the ORF Vienna has the postal code 1136, while the Austrian Crusher Post is 1008.
However, there are exceptions to the standard format. Certain regions or municipalities may share the same initial digit despite belonging to different states, and specific geographic or administrative factors may result in variations. In rural areas, where formal street names may not exist, senders should include the name of the village or settlement, followed by the nearest larger town or city, the postal code, and the country.
When addressing a letter to Austria, it is crucial to include the four-digit postal code to ensure accurate and prompt delivery. The typical format for addressing a letter includes the recipient's name, street address or PO Box, postal code, city, and country. For international mail, the country name, "AUSTRIA", should always be written in capital letters on the last line.
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The first digit indicates the federal state
The Austrian postal code system is quite straightforward and can give you a good idea of where a particular address is located just by looking at the first digit of its postal code. The first digit of a Austrian postal code indicates the federal state, and there are specific ranges assigned to each state. This system makes it relatively easy to identify the region associated with a particular postal code. For example, if you see a postal code starting with '1', you can immediately pinpoint it to Vienna, the nation's capital. Similarly, postal codes starting with '4' correspond to Upper Austria, and those beginning with '5' represent addresses in the state of Salzburg. This pattern continues for all nine Austrian federal states. The system is designed to be efficient and informative, providing a quick way to identify the general location of an address without needing to refer to a map or look up specific geographical information.
Moving along the alphabetical order of the states, the postal codes for Carinthia start with '9', providing a clear indicator of the location within this southern Austrian state. Addresses in the federal state of Lower Austria typically begin with '3', offering a distinct identifier for this region. This systematic approach to assigning postal codes based on federal states makes it convenient for postal workers, delivery services, and the general public to sort and route mail efficiently. It also helps individuals quickly identify the approximate location of an address, which can be particularly useful for navigation and planning purposes.
The system, however, does have some exceptions and unique cases. One such example is the postal code '9999', which is assigned to the United Nations organizations located in Vienna. This distinct postal code does not follow the standard format and is an exception to the federal state indication rule. Additionally, there are special postal codes assigned to large mail recipients, such as government agencies or companies that receive a large volume of mail. These special codes may not always align with the federal state indication system, serving a specific purpose instead. Nevertheless, for the vast majority of addresses in Austria, the first digit of the postal code remains a reliable indicator of the federal state in which the address is located.
It is worth noting that the Austrian postal code system has undergone revisions and updates over the years to accommodate changes in administrative divisions and the need for more precise location identification. The current system, which was introduced in 1966, has proven to be effective and is widely used across the country. With the rise of digital mapping and GPS technology, the postal code system might seem less crucial for navigation, but it still plays a vital role in the efficient functioning of postal services and delivery operations, as well as providing a quick reference for individuals and businesses to determine the general location of an address.
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The second digit indicates the regional area
The Austrian postal code system is quite intricate and provides a lot of information through its 4-digit structure. The first digit generally denotes one of the 9 postal regions in Austria. The second digit is even more specific, indicating a regional area within the broader postal region denoted by the first digit. This second digit is crucial for narrowing down the location. For example, if the first digit is '1', denoting the postal region of Vienna, the second digit will specify a particular area within the city. So, a code starting with '10' refers to the inner city or 'Innere Stadt', while a code starting with '12' refers to the area encompassing the municipalities of Meidling and Favoriten. This system applies across the country, so for another example, let's consider the postal region of Salzburg, denoted by the first digit '5'. Here, the second digit further refines the location. A postal code starting with '50' refers to the city of Salzburg itself, while '57' indicates the Gmunden region, including the famous lake town of the same name.
Moving on to other combinations, a postal code starting with '4' in the first digit indicates the postal region of Upper Austria. Here, the second digit '0-3' refers to the Linz region, with '0' denoting the city center and the other numbers indicating surrounding areas. So, a code starting with '40' refers to the heart of Linz, the state capital of Upper Austria. The second digit '4-6' in this region refers to the Vöcklabruck and Gmunden areas, with the codes '48' and '49' pinpointing the Bad Ischl region, renowned for its spa towns. The codes starting with '44' and '45' denote the region of Steyr, a historic town known for its medieval architecture and scenic surroundings.
In the case of Carinthia, denoted by the first digit '9', the second digit again plays a crucial role in specifying the location. Here, '90' refers to the state capital, Klagenfurt, while '93' indicates the Villach region, including the popular tourist destination of Faaker See. The postal codes starting with '95' refer to the Wolfsberg region, an area known for its picturesque landscapes and outdoor activities. Additionally, the second digit '8' indicates the Feldkirchen region, with codes like '958' pointing towards the Althofen area, famed for its castles and medieval ruins. So, as we can see, the second digit in the Austrian postal code system provides a more nuanced understanding of the location.
Furthermore, the second digit can also indicate larger geographical areas that encompass multiple municipalities. For instance, in the province of Styria, denoted by the first digit '8', the second digit '7' refers to the larger region of Liezen. This area covers multiple municipalities, including Liezen itself, but also Admont, famous for its historic monastery, and the scenic Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Similarly, in the province of Lower Austria, denoted by the first digit '3', the second digit '3' indicates the region of Krems an der Donau, which covers not only the city of Krems but also the surrounding wine-growing areas, including the renowned Wachau Valley. So, the second digit in the Austrian postal code system serves as a crucial indicator of both specific municipalities and larger geographical zones.
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The third digit is for routing allocation
Austrian postal codes, introduced in 1966 and known locally as 'Postleitzahlen', are crucial for the proper delivery of mail. They are a fundamental aspect of the nation's logistical infrastructure, providing a systematic means of organizing mail delivery and geographical categorization.
The Austrian postal code system consists of four digits, with the third digit being used for routing allocation. This third digit defines the tracking of letters on the way in vehicles and trains. In other words, it helps postal services understand the specific routes that mail should take to reach its destination.
For example, let's consider the postal code "1010". The first "1" indicates the city of Vienna. The second "0" specifies the ZIP code area or region within Vienna. The third "0" is where routing allocation comes into play. It indicates that the mail should be routed via a particular train or postal vehicle to a specific district or municipality within Vienna. This level of detail ensures efficient delivery to the correct location.
The Austrian postal code system is designed to facilitate prompt and accurate delivery. Each digit in the four-digit code plays a role in refining the geographical scope, making the system highly effective in localizing addresses across Austria's diverse landscape. This systematic approach streamlines the process, ensuring that mail reaches its intended recipient without unnecessary delays.
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Special post codes exist for the airport, the UN, and large companies
Postal codes in Austria, known locally as 'Postleitzahlen', were introduced in 1966. They are a fundamental aspect of the nation's logistical infrastructure, providing a systematic means of organising mail delivery and geographical categorisation. The codes consist of four digits, with the first digit often representing one of Austria's nine federal states, though there are exceptions. The second digit identifies a routing area, the third defines the route the mail takes (by car/truck or train), and the fourth stands for the post office outlet in the routing city.
The current postal codes in Austria range from 1000 to 9992. The lowest 4-digit postal code (1000) is for Austria's capital, Vienna, and the highest (9992) is for Iselsberg-Stronach, a municipality in the state of Tirol.
Zip codes or postal codes are a great way to target customers accurately. They allow businesses to identify key sales areas and visualise data at the postcode or ZIP code level. Businesses can use them for marketing campaigns to identify new opportunities and use their budgets more effectively and targeted.
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Frequently asked questions
The postal code for Vienna is contained between 1010 and 1423 and may also be 1600, 1601, 1810 or 1901.
The typical format for addressing a letter to Austria includes the recipient's name, street address or PO Box, postal code, city, and country. For international mail, always write “AUSTRIA” in capital letters on the last line.
Austrian postal codes typically consist of four digits, with the initial digit representing one of Austria's nine federal states. The subsequent digits refine the geographical scope, identifying specific districts and municipalities within the respective state.
The airport has its own postal code, 1300, the UN has 1400, and some big companies also have their own, for example, the ORF, the Austrian National Broadcasting Service has 1136.
