How to open a bank account in Ireland: Documents, requirements and how long does it take

Planning to move to Ireland? Change is always exciting, especially when you’re considering moving to a country known for its lively pub scene and stunning wild scenery. One thing that should be relatively straightforward when going to Ireland is opening a bank account.

We’re going to run you through the basic facts when it comes to opening a bank account in Ireland, including how to do it, whether non-residents can open an account and what to expect in terms of fees.

We’ll also let you know about the Wise Account, a great alternative for those who travel and operate in multiple currencies but also need to make transactions in Euro.

Pay and receive in Euro
with a Wise Account 💶

How to open a bank account in Ireland: Step by step

If you’re Irish or an EU or EEA passport holder then opening an Irish bank account is fairly straightforward. Here’s a basic overview of the process.

1️⃣ Choose a bank and account type that you want to open
2️⃣ Complete the application process which can usually be done online, over the phone or at a bank branch
3️⃣ Await a response from the bank
4️⃣ If required, submit any follow up information or documentation the bank asks for

🔎 If you’re a non-resident or foreigner then the process to open an Irish bank account may be slightly different. You could be required to apply over the phone or to go into a branch to complete the paperwork and document checks.

What documents do you need to open a bank account in Ireland

To open a bank account in Ireland you’ll need to provide some documentation which can vary bank to bank. In general thought, you’ll be asked to prove your identity and address.¹

The banks usually ask for:

• A photo ID: such as a passport or Irish driving licence. If you’re opening an account online they may also ask for a selfie photo.
• Proof of address: something like a recent utility bill or bank statement.

Is it possible to open a bank account in Ireland without proof of address?

Unfortunately it’s generally not possible to open a bank account in Ireland without proof of address.

That being said, depending on the bank and account type they may accept an address outside of Ireland if you’re based overseas.

Can you open a bank account online in Ireland?

It's possible. In terms of legislation there’s nothing preventing you from opening an Irish bank account online so it just comes down to the individual bank’s process and procedures.

Some banks allow people who meet certain conditions to do the entire process online, while others require an in-person visit to a branch or conversation over the phone.

Can a non-resident open a bank account in Ireland?

Some Irish banks do allow non-residents to open an account, for example the Bank of Ireland has a non-resident Account.

Just keep in mind there may be some additional steps or variation in the requirements for non-residents, such as providing additional documentation or needing to open the account over the phone.

Open a Wise Account online in Ireland and manage +40 currencies

If your primary aim is to be able to spend, hold and send euros then there are alternatives to opening an Irish bank account. Instead of going through that process, you could just get a Wise Account.

Wise is an international money transmitter specialist that’s authorised to provide financial services in Ireland.

With a Wise Account you can hold and convert money in over 40 currencies and send money to more than 160 countries. As a bonus, you can also get local account details in over 9 currencies, including EUR, GBP and USD. What this means for Ireland is you can send and receive euros, and other currencies, like a local.

When converting between currencies you don’t need to worry about hidden fees or exchange rate margins bumping up the cost. Using Wise, you'll always receive the mid-market rate (the one you normally see on Google) and can check all of the fees up front, before you commit to a transfer.

Once you have an account you can also order a Wise card, which makes daily spending in multiple currencies simple.

What are the fees for paying with the Wise card? Well, if you already have local currency in your account the card will use that first, without imposing any fees. If you don't, it will automatically convert your balance at the mid-market rate using smart technology.

You can open a Wise Account online while living in Ireland and also in many other countries. You will be able to open it for free (personal accounts) and there are no monthly costs to worry about.

Open your Wise Account today 🚀

---

Bank account options in Ireland: Fees and charges 💰

Ireland has a range of different high-street banks that offer services to personal and business customers, like Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks (AIB), Permanent TSB and Barclays Bank Ireland.

Like most places in the world, the fees and charges for Irish banks can vary between institutions and are laid out in a fee schedule.

Here’s how the fees for the daily transaction accounts of two of Ireland’s most popular banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB, stack up in comparison to each other and the Wise Account.

	Bank of Ireland Personal Current Account²	AIB Personal Current Account⁴	Wise Account (personal)
Open the account	No fee	No fee	No fee
Maintaining the account	6 EUR monthly fee	4.50 EUR fee per quarter (or part of)	Free
Account currencies	EUR	EUR	40+ currencies including EUR, GBP, AUD and USD
Debit card price	No fee	No fee	One off fee of 7 EUR
Card payments	EUR transactions: No fee Purchases in a foreign currency: 2% of the transaction value up to 11.43 EUR per transaction	0.20 EUR fee per transaction If spending abroad there’s an additional fee of 1.75% of the euro value (Minimum 0.45 EUR, Maximin 11 EUR)	No transaction fee in currencies on the account Variable fee to convert money in another currency starting from 0.39%
Withdraw money	Free to withdraw EUR Foreign currency withdrawals: 3.5% of the withdrawal value (Minimum 3.17 EUR Maximum of 11.43 EUR)	0.35 EUR fee per withdrawal For withdrawals abroad it’s 0.35 EUR fee per withdrawal + 2.5% of the euro value currency conversion fee + 1% of the euro value cash withdrawal commission (Minimum 2 EUR, Maximum 6 EUR)	Free to withdraw up 200 EUR per month in 2 or less withdraws⁶ Over the free allowance it’s a 0.50 EUR fee + 1.75% of the withdrawal value
International transfer	Free for EUR payments to EEA Member States or UK EUR payments to the rest of the world: 1% of the transfer value with a minimum of 17.75 EUR and maximum of 50 EUR Transfers in other currencies: 0.2% of the transfer value with a minimum of 12.50 EUR and maximum of 50 EUR + foreign exchange margin for³	No fee for non-urgent EUR payments to SEPA accounts 15 EUR fee for non-urgent for transfers in major currencies or EUR transfers outside of SEPA⁵	Variable fee depending on the currency starting from 0.39%

Keep in mind that for Irish providers this comparison excludes government duties.

As you can see the fee structure for Wise is generally a bit simpler, especially when it comes to international transfers and foreign currency exchange.

🔎 Read more: Using Bank of Ireland debit card abroad

FAQ: Opening a bank account in Ireland

Here’s the answers to a few questions you might still have about opening an Irish bank account.

What age can you open a bank account in Ireland?

To open a normal bank account in Ireland you usually need to be 18 years or older, as 18 is considered an adult. There are some student or children accounts that are available to minors, which often have more limited features.

Do I need a PPS number to open a bank account in Ireland?

If you haven’t heard of one before, a PPS number in Ireland is a Personal Public Service number, which is a government issued identifying number.

It’s not necessary to have a PPS to open a bank account in Ireland, but some banks may ask for it during the application process as a means of identifying the applicant.

How long does it take to open a bank account in Ireland?

The length of time it takes to open an account in Ireland depends on the bank and your circumstances.

For some banks, the process for an online application of an Irish citizen or permanent resident can be done in less than a day.

If you’re a non-resident, have more complicated circumstances or have chosen a bank without an online application process it could take a bit longer.

---

Sources:

1. Bank of Ireland - Identification documents needed to open a current account
2. Bank of Ireland - Schedule of fees and charges for personal customers
3. Bank of Ireland - Schedule of International Transaction Charges
4. AIB - A Guide to Fees and Charges for Personal Accounts
5. AIB - Schedule of International Transaction Charges
6. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Sources checked on: 16 April 2024