Guide · PstlAdr

PstlAdr ISO 20022 example: spotting an address that is ready

What does an acceptable address look like in a payment file? Before you clean up your files, learn to tell apart three forms of PstlAdr.

Written by Struct20022 · updated September 23, 2026

What PstlAdr does

PstlAdr is the postal address block attached to a party in a payment file. It can contain free address lines, structured fields, or a hybrid combination depending on the applicable rules.

To prepare a file, check that town and country sit in the right fields and find the rows that remain risky. Valid XML alone does not tell you that.

The three cases to recognize

An address made only of AdrLine values is the weakest pattern when flows require at least town and country to be structured.

A hybrid address keeps some detail in a free line, but places critical elements in dedicated fields.

A structured address separates street, number, postal code, town and country code into the expected fields.

Short examples

Risky: town and country buried in AdrLine

<PstlAdr>
  <AdrLine>8 bis boulevard Voltaire</AdrLine>
  <AdrLine>75011 Paris, France</AdrLine>
</PstlAdr>

Hybrid: town and country in dedicated fields

<PstlAdr>
  <AdrLine>8 bis Boulevard Voltaire</AdrLine>
  <PstCd>75011</PstCd>
  <TwnNm>Paris</TwnNm>
  <Ctry>FR</Ctry>
</PstlAdr>

Structured: each element in its field

<PstlAdr>
  <StrtNm>Boulevard Voltaire</StrtNm>
  <BldgNb>8 bis</BldgNb>
  <PstCd>75011</PstCd>
  <TwnNm>Paris</TwnNm>
  <Ctry>FR</Ctry>
</PstlAdr>

Checks to run

1TwnNm contains the town only, not postal code and town combined.
2Ctry contains an ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code, for example FR or DE.
3AdrLine does not contradict or duplicate structured fields.
4Risky rows are prioritized before bank submission.
5The file is tested with the relevant bank or payment channel.

FAQ

Is AdrLine always forbidden?

No. The hybrid format may remain acceptable depending on the flow, as long as critical fields such as town and country are provided separately.

Why is Ctry FR and not France?

Ctry expects an ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code. France, FRA or French are not the right format for that field.

Official sources

Review your PstlAdr blocks during the transition

Struct20022 helps finance teams spot risky rows and prioritize cleanup before payment submission.

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