Banking in Ireland

Opening a bank account in Ireland is generally straightforward for both residents and non-residents. Ireland has both traditional banks and digital alternatives.

Opening a Bank Account

Requirements for residents:

Valid passport or national ID
Proof of Irish address (utility bill, lease agreement)
PPS Number helpful but not always required
Some banks accept employment letter as address proof initially

For non-residents/before arrival:

Bank of Ireland offers "Coming to Ireland" service - open account 45 days before arrival
Can use overseas address, must update within 60 days
May need certified copies of documents

You do NOT need:

To be an Irish citizen
PPS Number to open (but helpful)
Existing Irish credit history

Major Banks

Bank	Pros	Cons
AIB	Large network, good app	Monthly fees
Bank of Ireland	Pre-arrival service, extensive branches	Fees after first year
Permanent TSB	Competitive rates	Smaller network
An Post Money	Post office accessibility	Limited services

Digital Banks

Increasingly popular in Ireland:

Revolut: Multi-currency, fee-free transfers, widely accepted
N26: German digital bank, EUR focused
Bunq: Good for expats, multiple IBANs

Digital banks typically have no maintenance fees and better exchange rates.

Bank Fees

Traditional Irish banks charge more than European counterparts:

Monthly maintenance: €5-7
ATM withdrawals (other banks): €0.35-0.50
Card payment: €0.20
Government stamp duty: €2.50/year on debit cards

First year often fee-free for basic accounts.

EU/SEPA Advantage

If you have an account in another EU country:

Use it directly in Ireland
Irish employers can pay wages to EU IBAN
Set up direct debits with Irish utility companies
No need to open Irish account immediately

PPS Number

Personal Public Service Number - Irish equivalent of social security number.

Needed for employment, tax, social welfare
Apply at local Intreo centre with appointment
Required documents: passport, proof of address, proof of reason to be in Ireland
Processing: 1-2 weeks

Building Credit

Ireland doesn't have a US-style credit score system, but:

Irish Credit Bureau records loan/credit history
On-time bill payments build positive history
Banks check ICB when assessing applications
Start with current account, then consider credit card after establishing history

Useful Apps and Services

Revolut: Best for multi-currency and international transfers
Wise: International transfers at real exchange rate
AIB/BOI apps: Traditional banking with mobile features
Google Pay/Apple Pay: Widely accepted

Pro Tips

•Consider Bank of Ireland's pre-arrival service if coming from abroad
•Revolut is extremely popular in Ireland - acceptable almost everywhere
•Apply for PPS Number immediately - needed for employment and tax
•Keep your existing EU bank account active - SEPA means it works in Ireland
•First year is usually fee-free at traditional banks - review before renewal

Banking