The Åland Islands are an autonomous and demilitarized region of Finland, located in the northern part of the Baltic Sea. This archipelago, consisting of more than 6,700 islands, is situated between Finland and Sweden, making it a culturally and geographically significant area. Åland is known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and distinct culture.

Although geographically closer to Sweden, Åland is politically part of Finland. The region enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the Åland Islands Act, which was signed in 1920. This law grants the islands self-governance in most matters, while Finland retains control over areas such as defense and foreign policy. Åland’s status as a demilitarized zone means that no military forces are allowed to be stationed there.

People within the country write address formats differently. It comes down to a few key reasons rooted in language, administrative structures, and local practices. It uses Swedish, even though it’s part of bilingual Finland. Address formats used in Åland may reflect Swedish conventions, while some people might use Finnish address formats.

Åland has a strong sense of regional identity and autonomy. Some residents prefer using “Åland” instead of “Finland” in addresses to emphasize their distinct status. This can cause variation, especially in the last line of the address.

Moreover, there are different types of addresses, each with its specific element requirements. If you need to mail a client or customer in the Åland Islands but are unsure of the correct address format, we can assist you. We have listed all the different types of addresses, along with their formats and examples.

Recipient Name

In the first line, write the recipient’s full name. If you are sending the mail to a business, the company name will appear in the first line. Write the person’s name and department in the second and third lines. Add ATTN. in front of the person’s name to ensure the internal mail distribution system sends the mail to the correct office and desk.

Street Address

In the second line, write the street name of the residential or business address. If the recipient uses a P.O. box, write “P.O. BOX” followed by the box number.

Postal Code and Town

Write the alphanumeric postal code and the name of the city where the person lives. The only official city in the Åland Islands is Mariehamn. The rest are all villages and municipalities.

Island Name

Write the name of the island in the second-to-last line.

Country Name

Write the name of the country in the last line. When sending international mail to the Åland Islands, write the country’s name in capital letters.

Residential Address Format

Write the recipient’s name, street address, P.O. box number, postal code, town, island, and country name. Except for the postal code and the town name, every address element will come on separate lines.

Rural Address Format

Typically, the streets in rural areas of the Åland Islands do not have a formal name. In this case, write the name of the village or the settlement, followed by the nearest larger town or city. Add the rest of the address elements in the same way as the residential address.

Business Address Format

Instead of the recipient’s name in the residential address, write the company’s name in the first line. Write the person’s name in the second line, and add their department in the third line.

International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations

Write the organization’s name in the first line and the specific department in the second line. Place all the other address components, except the recipient’s name, in the same way as the residential address.

P.O. Box Address Format

Instead of the street address, write the term “P.O. box” and then the box number in the residential address.

Government Office Address Format

Instead of the recipient’s name, write the office and department names in the residential address on the first and second lines.

Address Format for Multiple Recipients

If you want to mail multiple people in the same household or business, you should write each name on separate lines of the residential and business addresses.

Address Format for Courier Services

If you send mail using courier services like DHL or FedEx, add the recipient’s contact details to the end of the residential address. Delivery agents can call them if they cannot find the address.

Åland Post is the official national postal service provider of the Åland Islands. While the nation is politically part of Finland, it manages its postal affairs separately from Finland’s national provider, Posti Group. However, the two collaborate for international and domestic routing.

The postal service provider plays a vital role in the day-to-day functioning of the region by managing all mail and parcel deliveries within Åland, as well as handling incoming and outgoing international post. It is primarily well known globally for its stamp production. Åland began issuing its stamps in 1984, and today, Åland Post is internationally recognized in the philatelic world for the quality and beauty of its regionally themed stamp designs.

In addition to mail services, it has diversified into logistics and e-commerce. It provides freight forwarding, warehousing, and customized fulfillment solutions for online retailers. It includes tools for tracking, address validation, and efficient packaging, helping local and international businesses operate smoothly in the Nordic market.

You have learned how to structure the address format for a recipient in the Åland Islands. However, you need a verified address to ensure your address reaches the intended recipient. The PostGrid Address Verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers real-time address autocomplete suggestions. Whether you want to verify a single 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 global address format page and learn the format followed in countries across the world.