Austrian Post has announced plans to open 25 new self-service branches, ten large postal stations and around 3,000 parcel collection boxes this year.
The move comes as demand for automated postal services continues to rise. In 2024, nearly nine million parcels were processed through Vienna’s 24/7 self-service stations, with numbers expected to grow further.
Expanding Access to Postal Services
The latest phase of the expansion began on Tuesday with the opening of a new self-service branch in the city’s 5th district, Margareten. It spans approximately 130 square metres and includes nearly 700 collection lockers, two shipping stations and a cashpoint.
“Around 8,000 households in the immediate vicinity can now collect their parcels at any time of day or night, as well as return items,” said Austrian Post’s CEO, Walter Oblin, at the branch’s opening.
Beyond improving customer convenience, Austrian Post sees the expansion as a way to revitalise ground-floor commercial spaces. “The customer-focused expansion will not only bring the service closer to people but also revitalise ground-floor spaces and commercial properties,” Oblin said.
Vienna currently has a network of 86 post offices and 25 partner branches, alongside 24 self-service branches, nearly 460 postal stations with over 62,000 collection lockers, 210 shipping stations and more than 55,000 parcel reception boxes.
Growing Investment in IT and AI
Alongside its physical expansion, Austrian Post is strengthening its digital capabilities. However, AI adoption in Austria remains low. A company survey of 400 businesses found that 60% do not use artificial intelligence, while a third admitted they had significant ground to make up.
Data security remains the biggest concern for many firms. Austrian Post is investing millions to protect its IT systems from cyber threats. “The company is facing a barrage of criminal attacks on its IT, and we are investing heavily to counter this,” Oblin told journalists.
Despite these challenges, Austrian Post is already integrating AI into its operations. One example is damage assessment for postal delivery vehicles. “When a postwoman or postman reports an accident, they take photos of the damage, and AI then handles the detailed assessment, including cost estimates,” Oblin explained.
Austrian Post is also expanding its Business Solutions division, which provides digital services to companies. The unit currently serves around 500 clients and generates an annual turnover of €50 million.
To address Austria’s shortage of skilled IT professionals, the company has hired 1,000 IT specialists, with an additional 70 staff based in Greece. Among its major clients are insurance firms, for whom Austrian Post processes structured data following damage reports.
