Opening an Irish Bank Account
Opening a bank account in Ireland is a chicken-and-egg problem for newcomers.
The three traditional pillar banks — AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB — require photo ID plus proof of an Irish address before opening a current account. The common workaround is to open an e-money account (N26 or Revolut) first using only a passport and a video selfie, then open a pillar-bank account once you have an Irish address.
Estimated time
Minutes for an e-money account; longer for a pillar-bank account once you have an Irish address
Cost
Free to open (no government fee); ongoing account fees set by each bank
Before you start
What You Need
Tap to check off items as you gather them
Additional Items
- AIB charges a quarterly account-maintenance fee of €4.50 per fee quarter (March, June, September and December) on its standard personal current account, plus per-transaction fees such as 20c per automated transaction. AIB is moving these charges to a flat monthly fee for personal customers; certain account types (over-66 Advantage, Student, Student Plus, Graduate, Standard Care, Basic Bank Account) and qualifying mortgage customers remain fee-free.
- PTSB's standard Explore current account carries a flat €8 monthly account-maintenance fee, with no day-to-day transaction, withdrawal or contactless fees on the Visa Debit card, and pays 5c cashback per card payment (up to €5 per month).
- Revolut customers who joined the service more recently receive a euro account with an Irish IBAN; N26 customers receive a German IBAN, which is still a valid SEPA euro account usable in Ireland.
- A basic bank account for EU residents has no charges for everyday banking for at least the first year; it converts to a normal current account once total lodgements exceed the national minimum wage limit or after a total of 5 years.
Step-by-Step
- 1
Open an e-money account immediately on arrival
Expat New Arrival- Download the N26 or Revolut app and complete identity verification with a passport and a video selfie
- No Irish proof of address is needed; you may use a temporary Irish address with a valid Eircode
- The euro account and IBAN are usable within minutes; the physical debit card arrives by post in about 5-10 days
💡 Tip: This e-money account is the bridge that lets you receive money, pay rent and shop while you build the Irish address history a pillar bank will later require.
- 2
Gather the documents for a pillar-bank account
- Secure one photo ID — a passport, EU national identity card, or EU/EEA driving licence
- Secure at least one proof of address issued to your Irish home address within the bank's recency window
- Newcomers usually wait until they have an Irish utility bill, financial-institution statement, or government-body letter
⚠️ Watch out: Names must match exactly. AIB states: "The name on your photographic identification (e.g. name on your passport) must exactly match the name on your proof of address." A mismatch is a common rejection cause, so correct any difference before you apply.
- 3
Confirm any additional requirements for your status
- If you are not currently resident in Ireland, AIB requires two proof-of-address documents
- If you are a non-EU citizen opening a PTSB account, prepare immigration-status evidence (a Stamp 4, 5 or 6)
- Where requested by PTSB, prepare proof of income such as recent statements or payslips
💡 Tip: EU/EEA residents who do not already hold an Irish account can ask for a basic bank account, which is fee-free for everyday banking for at least the first year.
- 4
Apply to a pillar bank online or in branch
- Bank of Ireland and AIB both support online account opening — upload your photo ID, a selfie, and your proof of address
- All three pillar banks open accounts in branch
- Ensure the name on your photo ID matches the name on your proof of address exactly
⚠️ Watch out: If the application is rejected, the most common reasons are a name mismatch between documents or a proof-of-address document outside the bank's recency window (5-6 months for utility bills). Obtain a fresh document and reapply.
- 5
Provide your PPS number when you have one
- A PPS number is not mandatory at opening, but banks are required to collect a Tax Reference Number
- You can leave the number blank initially and supply it to your branch later
- Registering it with Revenue lets your employer pull your tax details so payroll runs smoothly
💡 Tip: If you do not yet hold a PPS number, apply for one separately — it underpins tax, payroll and several other services beyond banking.
Costs
| Item | Amount | Payment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account opening (government fee) | €0 | N/A | There is no standard government fee to open a bank account in Ireland; opening a current account is usually free of charge. |
| Basic bank account everyday banking (EU residents) | €0 | N/A | No charges for everyday banking for at least the first year, including ATM withdrawals and debit-card payments. |
| E-money account (N26 / Revolut, standard plan) (Optional) | €0 | N/A | Free to open and hold on standard plans; both providers offer paid premium tiers. |
- Payment:
- N/A
- Notes:
- There is no standard government fee to open a bank account in Ireland; opening a current account is usually free of charge.
- Payment:
- N/A
- Notes:
- No charges for everyday banking for at least the first year, including ATM withdrawals and debit-card payments.
- Payment:
- N/A
- Notes:
- Free to open and hold on standard plans; both providers offer paid premium tiers.
FAQ
General
Why are there only three banks to choose from?
Only three pillar banks now open personal current accounts in Ireland: AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB. Ulster Bank and KBC Bank Ireland both wound down their Irish retail operations and exited the market, which is why the choice of traditional banks is now limited to these three. Neither is an option for opening a new account today.
Do I need a PPS number to open an account?
No — a PPSN (PPS number) is not required to open a basic bank account, though banks are obliged to collect a Tax Reference Number and may ask for the number in specific situations, such as claiming tax relief on mortgage interest. AIB confirms you can proceed with account opening by leaving the number field and the self-certify box empty, then forward the number to your branch at any stage. Having a PPS number also smooths payroll, because your employer pulls your tax details once it is registered with Revenue.
Can I open a traditional account before I have an Irish address?
It is difficult. AIB requires two proof-of-address documents from people not currently resident in Ireland, and all three pillar banks need at least one. The common path is to open an N26 or Revolut account first — these onboard with a passport and video selfie and need no Irish proof of address — then open a pillar-bank account once you have an Irish utility bill, financial-institution statement or government-body letter dated within the bank's recency window.
Which IBAN do I get?
Pillar banks issue Irish IBANs. Revolut customers who joined more recently are given a euro account with an Irish IBAN; N26 customers receive a German IBAN, which is still a valid SEPA euro account usable in Ireland.
What if I am a returning resident with no current Irish address?
Bank of Ireland lets a returning resident use a current non-Irish address to set up an Irish account if returning within 45 days, after which the address must be updated to an Irish one within 60 days of opening. Identity and address must still be proven, and a foreign utility bill may be accepted if certified by a solicitor or police officer. Proof of address must generally be less than 6 months old, or up to 12 months old for an insurance policy.
Will PTSB still be PTSB?
Permanent TSB currently operates as PTSB, and its accounts, branding and processes are unchanged. The bank confirmed on its own notice page that BAWAG Group of Austria agreed an all-cash offer for PTSB; the sale is subject to regulatory approvals (the European Central Bank and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Ireland), Irish High Court sanction and a shareholder meeting. Until completion, nothing changes for existing customers.
My application was rejected over my name — why?
All three pillar banks require the name on your photo ID to match the name on your proof of address exactly. A mismatch — for example an abbreviated first name or a missing middle name — is a common cause of rejection. Check both documents carefully before applying.
After This Process
- → Give your IBAN to your employer's payroll or HR department for salary deposits
- → Set up a standing order for monthly rent payments
- → Apply for your PPS number if you do not already hold one
- → Update your e-money account address from the temporary one to your permanent Irish address
Sources
- Citizens Information — Opening a bank account (citizensinformation.ie ↗)
- Citizens Information — Standard (basic) bank account (citizensinformation.ie ↗)
- AIB — Personal current account identity requirements (aib.ie ↗)
- Bank of Ireland — Identification documents to open a current account (bankofireland.com ↗)
Was this helpful?
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7 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-27
T1 official portal · T2 embassy/consulate · T3 news · T4 community — higher tier wins on conflict. methodology →
- T1Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board) — State public-information service 2026-05-27
When opening an account you need at least one form of photographic identification to prove your identity and at least one document to prove your address; the same document cannot serve as proof of both. A PPS number is not required to open a basic bank account, but a bank may ask for it in specific circumstances such as claiming tax relief on mortgage interest.
citizensinformation.ie - T1Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board) — State public-information service 2026-05-27
Anyone resident in any EU country who does not already hold an Irish bank account can open a basic bank account. A basic bank account is like a current account but carries no charges for everyday banking for at least the first year, allowing ATM withdrawals and debit-card payments at no extra cost. The fee-free status continues if total lodgements stay below the national minimum wage, and converts to a normal current account once that limit is exceeded or after a total of 5 years.
citizensinformation.ie - T1Allied Irish Banks (AIB) — pillar bank 2026-05-27
AIB accepts a current valid passport, passport card, travel document, EU/EEA driving licence with photograph (Irish provisional accepted) or EU national identity card as photographic ID, and proof-of-address documents issued to the home address within the past 6 months. If the applicant is not currently resident in Ireland, two proof-of-address documents are required, and the name on the photographic identification must exactly match the name on the proof of address.
aib.ie - T1Allied Irish Banks (AIB) — pillar bank 2026-05-27
Financial institutions are required to seek a Tax Reference Number (PPSN) when opening a new current account, but an applicant without their PPSN to hand can proceed by leaving both the number field and the self-certify box empty, then forward the number to their nearest branch at any stage.
aib.ie - T1Bank of Ireland — pillar bank 2026-05-27
An online application requires a passport book, Irish passport card, Irish or UK driving licence card, or EU national identity card, plus a selfie and proof of address; an in-branch application requires one photo ID and one proof of address. Accepted proof of address includes a current household utility bill, Revenue Commissioners document, financial-institution statement, university/college or CAO letter, Department of Social Welfare letter, or immigration-service letter. Address verification must be in date for 6 months and the name on the photo ID must match the name on the proof of address.
bankofireland.com - T1Permanent TSB (PTSB) — pillar bank 2026-05-27
PTSB requires proof of identity and proof of address; current-account statements and utility bills must be issued within 5 months and Revenue documents within 11 months, and mobile phone bills are not accepted. PTSB may require proof of income such as 3 months of statements from the applicant's main current account and, in some cases, 2 recent payslips, and non-EU citizens must provide immigration-status evidence (a Stamp 4, 5 or 6) demonstrating the right to reside and work in the Republic of Ireland.
ptsb.ie - T1Permanent TSB (PTSB) — pillar bank 2026-05-27
PTSB confirmed on its own notice page that BAWAG Group of Austria agreed an all-cash offer for PTSB; the sale is subject to regulatory approvals from the European Central Bank and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Ireland, Irish High Court sanction, and a shareholder meeting, and is expected to complete in late 2026 or early 2027. Until completion, PTSB accounts, branding and processes are unchanged.
ptsb.ie