Apartados de Correos – PO box in Spain

An “Apartado de Correos” in Spain functions like a PO Box service in other countries.

If you can’t receive post where you live, perhaps because you live in the countryside or because your apartment block doesn’t have a separate and secure post box area, this is a good alternative.

You can get an APARTADO by contracting one at your local Spanish post office, known as Correos. Normally contracted on an annual basis, the cost is around 80 euros per year and you’ll be given a unique PO Box address. When it’s time to renew, you’ll be notified by email and sometimes they will put a note in your APARTADO as well. 

You can receive any mail to the box sent via the post office service and even some packages too. Larger items are held in a separate place, and a note is put in your PO Box to let you know there’s another item waiting for you. 

Here’s is what a typical “Apartado de Correos” address looks like. 

CHRISTOPHER GOODACRE
Apartado de Correos 1 
29130 Alhaurín de la Torre
España

Many businesses use PO Boxes to manage their mail more efficiently, especially if they receive a large volume of correspondence or need secure postage for their clients. You can access your PO Box during the post office’s operating hours, although some post offices do offer 24/7 access to PO Boxes located in secure areas.

Unfortunately, while Apartados are useful for receiving standard mail and packages, Post Office staff will not sign for a delivery, which means courier parcels aren’t accepted.  

However, many towns have independent service providers that will sign for couriers, as well as offer postal services similar to the Apartado at Correos like Todo Express in Competa and SpanBox in Coin  

Apartados contracts are only for a year, so this is also a great solution for people who may need a permanent address to send post to. Although they ask for an associated address on contracting, be assured that no mail will be sent there