Germany Postal Code (PLZ) Format Guide — 5-Digit System Explained
Germany uses a clean, all-numeric postal code system called the PLZ (Postleitzahl). Every German postal code is exactly five digits, such as 10115 for central Berlin. Understanding the structure makes it much easier to check whether an address is complete and correct.
The 5-Digit PLZ Format
The first digit of a German PLZ identifies one of ten broad geographic zones, running roughly from east to west and north to south:
| First Digit | Region | Example City |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Dresden / East Saxony | 01067 Dresden |
| 1 | Berlin | 10115 Berlin |
| 2 | Hamburg | 20095 Hamburg |
| 3 | Hannover | 30159 Hannover |
| 4 | Düsseldorf | 40213 Düsseldorf |
| 5 | Cologne / Bonn | 50667 Cologne |
| 6 | Frankfurt am Main | 60311 Frankfurt |
| 7 | Stuttgart | 70173 Stuttgart |
| 8 | Munich | 80331 Munich |
| 9 | Nuremberg | 90402 Nuremberg |
A Brief History
Germany introduced a 4-digit system in 1941 (and 1962 in the west). After reunification, the current 5-digit system replaced it on July 1, 1993. Today Deutsche Post maintains roughly 29,000 active postal codes.
Writing German Addresses
- Place the PLZ before the city name, on its own line.
- Example: Max Mustermann / Musterstraße 1 / 10115 Berlin.
- Do not add a country prefix or any punctuation between the digits.
🇩🇪 Need a German PLZ?
Search 23,000+ German postal codes by city or address — free and instant.
Search German PLZ →