SWIFT/BIC codes in Austria

Bank SWIFT codes for Austria

For Austria we have 1191 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 822 banks. You need a SWIFT/BIC code mainly for payments across borders, and especially for payments in foreign currencies.

Select the bank from the list to see its head office code and its other codes, plus practical notes for sending and receiving money. Below the list we explain how a code from Austria is put together, how to send money to Austria without overpaying and how to check a code before you pay.

Which bank in Austria has the most codes?

In our directory, Unicredit Bank Austria AG has the most SWIFT/BIC codes in Austria. Its head office code is BKAUATWWXXX, which is the code to use when no branch is specified.

Many codes usually reflects separate codes for branches, departments or services. Unless a branch code is given, the head office code BKAUATWWXXX works for transfers to this bank.

Paying in euros to Austria

Since Austria is part of the SEPA zone, a euro transfer to a bank in Austria normally only needs the IBAN. Most banking apps do not require the BIC for these payments.

You will still need the BIC for non-euro payments or transfers from countries outside SEPA. Instant payments in euros are widely supported within SEPA. As long as no conversion is involved, the transfer tends to be inexpensive.

About our data and how to check a code

Ask the recipient to send you the account details directly from a recent statement. If the code you have does not match our list, do not guess.

We collect SWIFT/BIC codes from publicly available data and check our list from time to time. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or retire codes. For any payment of any size, check the code with the recipient’s bank. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site.

Watch out for invoices with a new account, especially when they come by email. Before paying, confirm a change of bank details by phone on a number you know.

Banks in Austria starting with :letter

Here you see a filtered list: just banks in Austria whose name begins with :letter. The totals mentioned above always refer to all banks in Austria.

Bank not listed? Its official name may start with a different letter, for example the full legal name rather than a brand name. The full overview for Austria remains available when the letter filter does not help.

Sending EUR to Austria

Austria pays in the Euro, with the currency code EUR. If you send another currency, the amount gets converted somewhere along the way – by your bank, a bank in between or the recipient’s bank.

Who does the conversion affects the final amount, since every bank sets its own rate. Compare how much EUR arrives via different providers. On larger amounts, a seemingly small gap in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

The cheapest way to send money to Austria

A bank transfer to Austria often costs more than you think. You pay a transfer fee, possibly fees from correspondent banks along the way and, most importantly, the margin on the exchange rate.

The real cost is often in the rate, not in the fee. A simple test: set the offered rate next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

Money transfer services frequently use a rate near the mid-market rate. GoldexPay lists these providers next to each other so you can see what actually arrives in Austria for the same amount sent.

Recognising a SWIFT code from Austria

Bank identifier codes use the same format worldwide: 8 characters plus an optional three-character extension. Characters one to four identify the bank, the fifth and sixth characters form the country code and characters seven and eight give the location.

No matter which bank, every code from Austria share the same fifth and sixth letters: the ISO code of the country. If those two letters do not match Austria, you are looking at a bank somewhere else – worth double-checking.

An 11-character code ends in three characters for a branch, where XXX means the head office. Use a branch code just when the recipient’s bank asks for it – otherwise stick with the head office.

Receiving money in Austria from abroad

If you are waiting for money from abroad on an account in Austria, send the payer everything they need in one go. Share your name as registered with the bank, your account number or IBAN, your bank’s SWIFT code and your address.

Find your bank in the list above to check its code. It helps to include your bank’s name and city.

Do not be surprised if the incoming amount is smaller than the amount on the sender’s receipt. Charges on incoming payments vary from bank to bank; check the price list of your bank. Make clear with the sender who covers the fees before the money is sent.

Transfer times to Austria

A SWIFT payment to Austria usually needs one to a few business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Public holidays in Austria or in the sending country can add extra days.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi, which lets them follow a payment from bank to bank. Each payment gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Keep the payment confirmation – you will need it if something goes wrong.