Opening a bank account in Ireland as an expat: ID, proof of address and Irish IBANs

To open a bank account in Ireland you need valid photo ID and a recent proof of address; a PPS number is not always required. bunq gives an Irish (IE) IBAN to everyone who signs up with an Irish address, and Revolut moves customers resident in Ireland to its Irish branch with an IE IBAN.

What Irish banks ask for

Citizens Information, the Irish government's information service, says you need at least one document from each list below.

The rules are strict:

• your photo ID must be in date;
• the name on your ID must match the name on your proof of address;
• proof of address must be less than 6 months old (12 months for an insurance policy);
• one document cannot count as both proof of identity and proof of address.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) also lists a national ID card and an EU driving licence as ID, and correspondence from a financial provider as proof of address. If you cannot provide the standard documents, Citizens Information suggests asking the bank which alternatives it accepts.

The new-arrival problem

Proof of address is often the hardest part in your first weeks, because utility bills and Revenue letters take time to arrive. This is one reason many newcomers start with an app-based account that verifies you with your ID and a selfie, then open a traditional account later if they still need one.

Do you need a PPS number?

Not always. The Personal Public Service (PPS) number gives access to social welfare, public services and Revenue schemes. Citizens Information says banks may ask for it in some cases, for example when you claim tax relief on mortgage interest, but it is not a general condition for opening an account.

Getting one takes some time: you apply on MyWelfare.ie with a basic MyGovID account and then attend an in-person appointment at a PPS Number Allocation Centre. Proof of address for a PPS number must be no older than 3 months.

Neo banks for newcomers to Ireland

bunq

bunq holds a full European banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), and its Irish page says it is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Eligible deposits are covered by the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme up to €100,000 per depositor.

According to bunq's help centre, new users who sign up with an Irish address automatically get an Irish IBAN on every plan, including Free. Existing users who move to Ireland update their address and accept the Irish IBAN prompt; their Dutch IBANs keep working. Signup needs only your phone and ID, and bunq's Irish site says no PPS number is needed to start. Plans: Free €0, Core €3.99, Pro €9.99 and Elite €18.99 a month.

Revolut

In Ireland, Revolut operates through Revolut Bank UAB, Irish branch (registration number 909790, 2 Dublin Landings, North Dock, Dublin 1). Revolut Bank UAB is authorised by the Bank of Lithuania and the European Central Bank; the Central Bank of Ireland regulates it for consumer protection rules. Deposits are insured by Lithuania's scheme up to €100,000 per depositor.

Customers resident in Ireland are migrated to the Irish branch and receive an IE IBAN. After migration, the older Lithuanian (LT) IBAN keeps working for existing direct debits and incoming payments. Some customers are asked to update their documents in the app first.

N26

N26 lists Ireland among the countries where it offers accounts. Its support pages do not state that Irish residents receive an Irish IBAN, so check the IBAN country in the app before relying on it for salary or direct debits.

At a glance

See is bunq safe? and is Revolut safe? for more on licences and protection, or the bunq, Revolut and N26 listings.

Bank, e-money or payment institution?

The Central Bank of Ireland reminds consumers that digital-only providers come in different types. Deposits at a bank are covered by a deposit guarantee scheme up to €100,000; money at an e-money or payment institution is not, and is protected by safeguarding rules instead. Providers authorised in another EEA country should name their home country and regulator in their terms. Complaints about any of them can go to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). Our guide is my money safe in a neo bank? explains the difference.

The basic bank account

If you have no current account in Ireland, you can ask any bank for a basic bank account. According to Citizens Information and the CCPC:

• you must be legally resident in the EU and aged 18 or over;
• everyday banking is free for at least the first year: ATM withdrawals, card payments, transfers, standing orders and direct debits;
• after 12 months the bank reviews the account, and free banking can continue for up to 5 years in total if what you pay in each year is below the minimum wage;
• there is no overdraft or cheque book, and the debit card may not be contactless.

Stamp duty on Irish cards

Ireland charges a government stamp duty on cards issued by financial institutions in Ireland: 12 cent per ATM withdrawal, capped at €2.50 a year for ATM cards and €5 for combined ATM and debit cards. Credit cards carry €30 a year per account. The duty is collected at the end of the calendar year.

Can you keep your foreign IBAN?

Yes. The Central Bank of Ireland says an Irish employer or utility cannot require an Irish bank account for euro payments: Article 9 of the SEPA Regulation obliges them to accept IBANs from other SEPA countries. If you are refused, tell the company about Article 9, then complain in writing. Unresolved cases go to the CCPC (consumers and traders) or to the Central Bank at ibandiscrimination@centralbank.ie (employers and everything else).

Compare the providers on our site in the comparison table. Moving to the Netherlands instead? Read opening a bank account in the Netherlands as an expat.

Sources

• Citizens Information: Opening a bank account
• Citizens Information: Proof of identity to open a bank account
• Citizens Information: Basic bank accounts
• Citizens Information: Personal Public Service (PPS) number
• Citizens Information: Stamp duty on financial cards
• CCPC: Opening a bank account
• CCPC: Basic bank accounts in Ireland
• Central Bank of Ireland: What do I need to know about digital-only banking providers?
• Central Bank of Ireland: What is IBAN discrimination and what can I do about it?
• bunq Help: Irish IBANs
• bunq Ireland
• bunq Help: Is my money safe with bunq?
• Revolut: Deposit insurance information (Ireland)
• Revolut Help: Getting an Irish IBAN
• N26 Support: Availability across countries

Prices and features checked on 3 November 2026.

This guide is general information, not financial advice. Fees, features and availability change, so check the provider's own website before you apply. Read how we compare providers and our affiliate disclosure.