Looking to open a bank account in Ireland? Navigating the banking landscape to find the best bank for you can be a challenge, particularly if you are new to the country. Banking in Ireland is changing, and digital-only banks are becoming more widely used along with traditional high street banks. So whether you're looking for personal banking services, a savings account, or a digital-only bank, Ireland has a variety of banks to choose from. And with the right documents and some preparation, the process of opening a bank account in Ireland can be a quick and hassle-free one.
The different banks in Ireland
Ireland聽has several major banks to choose from, including , , , and (PTSB). The leaders in terms of market share are Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and Bank of Ireland (BOI).
AIB is one of Ireland's largest banks, with local branches across the country. It is known for its extensive range of services, including personal banking, mortgages, and business financing.
聽is one of the oldest and most trusted banks with local branches across Ireland.聽Known for its innovative digital banking features, BOI is a great choice if you prefer a mix of traditional and online banking.聽The bank is allowing people to open accounts in Ireland up to 45 days before they arrive in the State. Their 鈥淐oming to Ireland鈥� service will allocate you a personal case manager who will get in touch within 48 hours of your application being submitted to guide you through the process.
is the Irish postal service, and it has more than 900 post offices across the country, providing a range of banking services for AIB and Bank of Ireland customers. It is gaining popularity for its no-frills banking services. offers current accounts with budgeting tools, digital banking features, and easy access via post offices throughout Ireland. It's a great option if you are looking for a straightforward alternative to traditional banks.
is a leading provider of personal banking services in the Irish market. It is best known for its current accounts, mortgages, home and life insurance, and low interest loans for various needs including cars and home improvements. PTSB is a popular choice among first-time homebuyers. It also offers competitive current accounts, such as the Explore Account, which provides cashback rewards.
Online banks
You can also consider digital-only banks like , , , and . Digital-only banks have no high-street presence and operate entirely online, and you access your account via an app on your phone.
has gained significant traction in Ireland as a digital-only bank, especially among tech-savvy users and digital nomads. Offering low fees, competitive exchange rates, and a feature-rich mobile app, Revolut provides services such as cryptocurrency trading, stock investments, and savings vaults.
is a Dutch online bank that launched in Ireland in 2019. There are four different account options with Bunq, including Free, Core, Pro, and Elite. A Bunq account can be opened in minutes on your smartphone (verification of ID required), and there is no minimum amount required.
is an instant sign-up, pay-as-you-go, digital current account for day-to-day banking requirements. It is a 100% Irish-owned FinTech company that offers a simple alternative to traditional bank accounts, providing an Irish IBAN. With an Irish IBAN, you can apply for jobs, make bank transfers, set up direct debits, and more.
is Europe's first 100% mobile bank, headquartered in Berlin. Anyone can open an N26 Bank account, as long as they are resident in the EU and EEA.聽To open an account, you need a mailing address in one of the countries where N26 operates, so they can send you your Mastercard. It is an excellent choice for an affordable and convenient digital banking experience.
Selecting the right bank for you will depend on your financial goals, preferences for digital versus in-person services, and specific product offerings.
Different types of bank accounts in Ireland
The two main types of bank accounts you can open in Ireland are current accounts and deposit accounts. The differences between the two include the services available, the amount of interest paid, and the access you have to the account.
Current account
The most common option in Ireland is a聽. Current accounts are offered by banks, credit unions, and An Post. You can use a current account to manage your money day-to-day.
A current account allows you to:
- Pay your bills by Direct Debit or standing order.
- Receive automated payments such as your salary, wages, or benefits.
- Transfer money in a branch, by telephone or through a mobile or online banking service.
- Pay for things with a debit card or a digital wallet.
- Withdraw money from ATM machines.
- Keep track of your spending.
- Access an聽聽(short-term borrowing through your current account).
Deposit account
A deposit account, also known as a savings account, allows you to build up savings and earn interest on this money. Deposit accounts are offered by both banks and credit unions.
Before you open a deposit account, you should find out what rate of interest you can earn on your savings. You should also find out how you can access your money if you need it, as some deposit accounts have restrictions on how soon or how often you can withdraw money.
What documents do you need to open a bank account in Ireland?
Opening a personal bank account in Ireland does not take more than a few days, depending on the bank. To open a bank account, you usually apply in a branch or online. While some banks allow you to open an account online, particularly digital banks like Revolut or N26, traditional banks often require you to visit a branch in person.
If you want to open an account in a branch, it is a good idea to contact them directly and in advance to see if you need to make an appointment. Also, ask them for a full list of the proof of ID and address documents that they accept so you can have these ready.
The two main pieces of documentation you will need when聽opening up a bank account in Ireland聽are proof of identity and proof of address. 聽If you are opening a joint account, you both need to fill in the application and show two sets of documents for proof of identity and proof of address.
You can use a passport, driving license, or an EU national identity card to prove your identity. If you're opening an account online, you may be asked for a selfie photo. The proof of address needs to be a recent utility bill (gas, electricity, telephone & internet) or bank statement dated within the last six months. Other alternative documents your bank will accept as proof of address include a document issued by a government department that shows your address, a tenancy agreement, or a current car or home insurance policy.
You can open an account as a non-resident if you do not currently have an address in Ireland. There may be a few extra steps involved if this is the case. Each bank has specific requirements and policies regarding non-residents. Generally, every non-resident has to provide the same documentation when applying to open a bank account in Ireland. Other than that, you might need to聽present some additional information,聽such as a reason for opening the account, proof of employment, or a visa.
If you apply to open a bank account in Ireland as a non-resident, your address outside of Ireland may be accepted, depending on the bank and the type of account. If you are planning to move to Ireland, note that you need a bank account to rent an apartment. Therefore, it's advised to look for a bank that allows you to open a bank account with an address outside of Ireland.
If you've just arrived in Ireland and don't have a document to prove your address, most banks will accept a utility bill, bank statement, or government correspondence with your previous address in another country. However, some banks may ask you to provide two of these documents as extra proof.
Bank fees and charges in Ireland
Opening a bank account in Ireland is usually free of charge. However, most banks will charge fees for certain transactions, services, or maintenance of the account, among other things, so it is well worth shopping around before opening an account.
Generally, banking fees and charges include:
- Account maintenance fees: Most banks charge you a monthly maintenance fee, which ranges from 鈧�4 to 鈧�6 for a current account.
- ATM withdrawal fees: Sometimes you can be charged for ATM withdrawals, especially if you use non-partner ATMs or withdraw outside the Eurozone.
- Foreign transaction fees: If you want to use your card abroad or make any international transfers, you will usually be charged a small fee of 2-3%.
It is important to remember that you pay off your credit card bills at the end of each month. Your credit will be vital going forward, so you will want to have a strong record. In the beginning, you may only have small credit limits, but these will rise over time as you consistently showcase your ability to repay the money.
Basic bank accounts (EU residents only) in Ireland
All EU residents have the right to a 鈥�basic bank account', no matter their financial situation or where they live in the EU. A 鈥榖asic bank account' is a current account that allows you to have access to essential daily banking services if you do not currently have a bank account in Ireland.
If you are a resident of any EU country and you do not already have a bank account in Ireland, you can open a basic bank account. A basic bank account is like a current account, but there are no charges for everyday banking for at least the first year. This means you can withdraw cash from an ATM and use a debit card for payments without any extra cost. However, your debit card may not come with the contactless payment feature.
Opening a credit union account in Ireland
A credit union is a non-profit financial institution that is owned by its members. A credit union can perform many of the same services as a bank, offering current accounts, savings accounts, loans, and insurance. They also offer their members special accounts to help them keep to a budget.
As with opening a bank account, you'll need photo ID and proof of address to join your local credit union. Sometimes, you might be asked for evidence of your PPS number too. A PPS number stands for聽Personal Public Service number.聽It is a unique reference number used in聽Ireland聽to access public services, social welfare benefits, and information, and is also sometimes called a聽聽(Personal Public Service Number).
Because credit unions are local, community-based organisations, you can't just join whatever one you want. You'll need to join one associated with your local area or your workplace. You can find your聽.
Bank opening hours in Ireland
Banks in Ireland generally open around 10.00 am and close about 4.00 pm Monday through Friday and 5 pm on Thursday. Selected banks may open on Saturday mornings.
Useful resources
You can use the following resources for further information on banking in Ireland:
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