Opening an Irish bank account

You can open a working bank account in Ireland either with a traditional bank (AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB) or with a regulated app-based provider such as Revolut or N26 — and most newcomers find the app route faster because it does not require Irish proof of address on day one. Both give you an IBAN that Irish employers can pay salary into.

What do I need for a traditional bank? Photo ID (passport or national ID card) and proof of address in Ireland — a utility bill, bank statement or official letter. The proof-of-address requirement is the hard part when you have just arrived; some branches accept a letter from an employer or college, so ask what the specific branch accepts before queueing. Traditional accounts typically carry monthly maintenance or per-transaction fees — check the bank's current fee schedule.

What about Revolut, N26, bunq and similar? They are regulated e-money or banking providers, sign-up is in-app with a passport, and many newcomers use them as their main account. One thing to know: an employer or biller refusing a valid non-Irish IBAN (for example a Lithuanian or German one) is called IBAN discrimination and is not permitted under EU SEPA rules — the CCPC explains how to raise it.

Which should I choose? Many people run both: an app account from day one for salary and daily spending, then a traditional account later if they want in-branch service, cheque lodgement or certain mortgage products.

Is there anything to avoid? Never share account credentials with anyone who contacts you first, and be wary of "money mule" recruitment aimed at students — receiving and forwarding money for strangers is a crime, and Gardaí prosecute it.

This guide is general information, not financial advice. Last updated: August 2026. Sources: citizensinformation.ie (Opening a bank account), ccpc.ie (IBAN discrimination), garda.ie (money mules).