Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, it is sparsely populated, with most of its 376,000 residents living in the capital, Reykjavík, and nearby areas. Iceland is celebrated for its stunning natural phenomena, including geysers, waterfalls like Gullfoss, the Blue Lagoon, and the mesmerizing Northern Lights. 

The country boasts one of the most efficient postal systems in the world. Whether you’re mailing to the vibrant streets of Reykjavík or the serene remote villages, understanding the Icelandic address format ensures your mail reaches its destination without delay. So, learn about structuring addresses in Iceland, complete with examples and useful tips for success.

Recipient Name

Write the recipient’s full name on the first line. If you addressing a business address, then mention the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.

Street Address or PO Box (P.H.) 

Write down the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. If your recipient uses a Post Office Box, write “P.H.” (Pósthólf) and then mention the box number. Icelandic addresses also frequently incorporate unique characters and accents, like Á, Ð, and Ö, which are essential for accurate representation.

Postal Code and Town/City 

Iceland relies on a three-digit postal code system, assigned to specific regions and towns. Write the appropriate postal code and include the corresponding name of the town or city. Reykjavík (the capital), Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, and Akureyri are some major cities of Iceland.

Country Name

Write the country name in the last line. If you are sending international mail, always write the country name in uppercase letters.

Residential Address Format

Each address begins with the recipient’s name, ensuring clarity and personalization. The street address or Post Office Box (referred to as “Pósthólf”) comes next, indicating the specific delivery point. Iceland’s postal codes are three digits, unique to towns or districts, and are essential for routing mail accurately.

Rural Address Format

In rural areas without formal street names, include the name of the farm or settlement, along with the nearest major town, postal code, and country. Approximately 10% of Iceland’s population resides in rural regions, where landmarks, farm names, and local references play a crucial role in identifying locations.

Business Address Format

The address begins with the company name, followed by the recipient’s name and, if applicable, their department. This is particularly important for large organizations with multiple divisions, ensuring the mail reaches the intended individual or team. The rest will be according to the standard Icelandic address format. write ATTN in front of the name to ensure successful delivery to the intended recipient.

International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations

For international organizations or NGOs operating in Iceland, start with the organization’s full name prominently on the first line, followed by the specific department, program, or team handling the correspondence.

PO Box Address Format

For letters addressed to a Post Office Box, substitute the street address with “P.H.” and the corresponding box number. This designation ensures that the mail is routed directly to the recipient’s specific box at the local post office.

Military Address Format

For military personnel stationed in Iceland, mail delivery operates primarily through the civilian postal system, ensuring reliable and efficient handling of correspondence. When addressing mail, it is essential to include precise unit or base details, as these are critical for accurate routing within the military infrastructure.

Government Office Address Format

When sending mail to government offices in Iceland, it’s essential to include the specific name of the office or department at the top of the address to ensure accurate routing within the organization. Following the office name, provide the complete street address or P.O. Box, along with the appropriate postal code and locality.

Address for Multiple Recipients Format

In Iceland, when sending a letter to multiple recipients at the same address, it is important to list each recipient’s name on its own line to ensure clarity and proper delivery. This is particularly useful for shared households, families, or workplaces where the mail may need to be sorted internally.

Address Format for Courier Services

When relying on courier services for deliveries in Iceland, providing additional contact details, particularly a phone number, is crucial for smooth and timely service. Iceland’s unique geography, with its vast rural landscapes and remote settlements, can pose challenges to standard delivery procedures.

The Icelandic postal system, managed by Íslandspóstur, has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century. Formal postal services began in 1776, when Denmark established a postal route connecting Iceland to the mainland, ensuring communication between the island and Europe. 

Over the years, Íslandspóstur has evolved into a modern organization, handling domestic and international mail with efficiency. Its extensive network and use of advanced technologies ensure reliable delivery, even to Iceland’s most isolated locations.

So you have learned how to structure the address format to a recipient in Iceland. But to ensure your address is reaching the intended recipient, you need a verified address. PostGrid address verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers address autocomplete suggestions in real-time. Whether you want to verify a single address or bulk address, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories. 

If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our international address format page and learn the address format followed in countries around the world.