How to open a bank account online in Ireland (5 steps)

Opening a current account in Ireland has never been easier and you have a range of banks to choose from. You can also open your account online or in the branch.

This guide will help you through the basics of signing up for a current account, as well as help you pick which bank is right for you, using the dynamic table below to compare banks across fees, features and benefits.

How to open a bank account in Ireland (5 steps)

Step 1: Decide what type of bank account you want

There are a few different bank accounts available in Ireland. Here are some to consider:

Current account. In Ireland, current accounts are standard bank accounts like those from Bank of Ireland or AIB. You can use a current account to receive your salary, pay bills and use a debit card for everyday spending in-store and online or withdraw cash from an ATM.
Digital bank account. Digital banks such as Revolut and N26 are also available in Ireland. These accounts tend to have lower fees and useful features such as easy overseas spending. You can open a digital bank account from outside of Ireland.
Business bank account. A business bank account works the same was a current account but is designed to help you effectively manage the finances of your business. They often have specific features that will meet the needs of your business and keep all funds separate from a personal current account.
Joint bank account. A joint bank account can be shared between 2 people that usually live together, such as a couple or flatmates. It can make it easier to manage household expenses such as rent or utility bills and both account holders can see and manage the activity on the account.
Student bank account. A student bank account is designed specifically for students in part-time or full-time education. It can help students manage their finance throughout student life. Most student accounts don’t have any maintenance fees or day-to-day transaction fees.
Savings account. A savings account is designed to help your money grow over time. Some allow you to save on a regular basis and interest is added to the balanace. As your balance increases, so should your growth.

Step 2: Compare accounts and choose one for you

Once you’ve decided what account you’d like, you can use the comparison table further down the page to compare fees, rates and more. Here are a few tips:

Click on each column title to sort by that feature (eg, sort by “ATM Withdrawal Fee” to find the lowest)
Learn more about each account by clicking on the “More info” box at the end of each row.
Compare two or more accounts directly by clicking on the “Compare” box underneath the name on the left-hand side.

Once you have found an account that suits you, you can click on the green “Go to site” button. This will take you to the bank’s website and take you through the rest of the process.

Step 3: Apply for your account online or in-app

Once you have chosen a bank account, you can get to the bank’s website by clicking on “Go to site” in the table. You’ll then be prompted to either open an application online or download a smartphone application to get the process started. If using a smartphone, the website should be able to take you directly to the app download. Simply follow the instructions once the app is ready.

If you are on a desktop, some websites (such as Revolut) will simply ask you for a mobile number, then send an SMS with a link for you to download the app on your smartphone.

Alternatively, if the bank does not use an app, then simply follow the instructions on the website which will likely involve creating an account and verifying it with an email address or mobile number.

Step 4: Have your documents ready to verify your identity and address

Once you have begun the sign-up process and filled out your basic details, you will then be asked to prove your identity as well as your address. To do so you will need one of the following documents for your identity, and another for your address.

To prove your identity

A valid passport or EU passport card
A valid EU National Identity Card
An EU/EEA driver’s licence with a photograph (Irish Provisional permit accepted)

To prove your address

A recent utility bill (typically from within the past 6 months)
Official correspondence from a government body (eg, tax or healthcare)
Official correspondence from another financial institution in Ireland

What if I don’t live in Ireland yet?

If you want to open an Irish bank account while abroad, you need to do the following.

Provide two proof of address documents, with the name on those documents matching the name on your proof of identity document. These documents must be in English and must be certified by a third party, such as an appointed official (for example, a justice of the peace), public notary, government body, solicitor/lawyer or a member of your embassy.

Students moving to Ireland for study may also refer to their educational institution for help in providing documentation for a student bank account.

You may prove your identity by uploading your documents to the website or app. Digital banks sometimes require a short video call as well. Some traditional banks may instead require you to present your documents in person at a branch.

Once your identity has been approved, you can start using your bank account for things like deposits and transfers, however you will still need to wait for your debit card.

Step 5: Debit card arrives – all done!

The last thing to do is wait for your new debit card to arrive. Once this is done you should have access to the full range of services your bank provides. Make sure to read the instructions carefully, sign the back of the card and activate it online.

You may also want to consider switching your bills over to your new account, updating your payment details for things such as Netflix or Spotify, as well as learning what to do if your card is lost or stolen.

If you feel like a debit card isn’t enough for you, and would prefer some of the features that come with a credit card, then be sure to visit Finder’s guide to credit cards in Ireland before making any decisions.

Compare a range of accounts you can open online

1 - 7 of 7

Name	Mobile view decorator Current Accounts	Maintenance fee	Fee period	ATM transaction fee
Revolut Standard	Maintenance fee €0 Fee period Monthly ATM transaction fee €1 + 2% per withdrawal	€0	Monthly	€1 + 2% per withdrawal	Sign up to Revolut through Finder and receive a free trial of Revolut Premium for 3 months. Enjoy no monthly fee, no currency conversion fees up to €1,000 per month and hold an array of currencies in your account.	Go to site View details	loading Fetching your data...
Wise Multicurrency Account	Maintenance fee €0 Fee period Monthly ATM transaction fee €0.50 + 1.75% per withdrawal	€0	Monthly	€0.50 + 1.75% per withdrawal	Wise (formerly TransferWise) is an international account with over 50 currencies, instant and very convenient money transfers, a card to spend in any currency, bank details to be paid in 30 different countries and multi-currency direct debits.	Go to site View details	loading Fetching your data...
N26 Bank Account	Maintenance fee €0 Fee period Monthly ATM transaction fee €2 per withdrawal	€0	Monthly	€2 per withdrawal	Benefit from no monthly fee, no currency conversion fees and a raft of in-app budgeting features to help you save.	Go to site View details	loading Fetching your data...
Revolut 18	Maintenance fee €0 Fee period Monthly ATM transaction fee 2% per withdrawal	€0	Monthly	2% per withdrawal	Revolut 18 (formally Revolut Junior) has a separate app, account, and prepaid debit card that lets children manage money with the help of their parents. Plus fee-free ATM withdrawals up to €40 each month.	View details	loading Fetching your data...
SWIRL Prepaid Mastercard	Maintenance fee €0 Fee period Monthly ATM transaction fee €1.50 per withdrawal	€0	Monthly	€1.50 per withdrawal	A secure, prepaid card that lets you manage and spend your money globally. Use in-store and online at over 30 million locations worldwide.	View details	loading Fetching your data...
Monese Simple	Maintenance fee €0 Fee period Monthly ATM transaction fee €1.50 + 2% per withdrawal	€0	Monthly	€1.50 + 2% per withdrawal	A dual currency account with no foreign currency fees up to €2,000 per month. Features include budgeting tools and multilingual support.	View details	loading Fetching your data...
AIB Student Account for 2nd Level Students	Maintenance fee €1.20 Fee period Quarterly ATM transaction fee €0	€1.20	Quarterly	€0	A current account for students aged between 12 and 18 years, who are in part time or full-time second level education. If you apply for a debit card, AIB will cover the annual Government Stamp Duty.	View details	loading Fetching your data...

loading

Digital banks – what are they and are they any good?

Digital banks are a new wave of banks which leverage advances in finance and technology to provide a banking experience that is typically more efficient and lightweight than using a traditional bank. This is because digital banks tend to focus on a smaller range of services, which also allows them to keep costs fairly low.

Digital banks are popular with digital natives and expats because they are quick and easy to sign up for and use. That being said, they offer fewer services than a traditional bank and are entirely digital – which means no face-to-face service. Although many offer their app services in several languages, and some like N26 have European based customer support call centres as well as online chat operators.

If you’re just looking for a standard everyday bank account, then a digital bank is an easy way to get one started. Most digital banks offer you a current account, debit card, and an app to manage everything for free. However, if you want something with a bit more teeth, like a bank that offers loans and mortgages, then you’re probably better off looking at a traditional bank that can meet those needs.

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

To open a bank account in Ireland you will need to provide proof of identity as well as a proof of address. These can be either of the following:
Identity

A valid passport or EU passport card
A valid EU National Identity Card
An EU/EEA drivers licence with a photograph (Irish Provisional permit accepted)

Address

A recent utility bill (typically from within the past 6 months)
Official correspondence from a government body (eg, tax or healthcare)
Official correspondence from another financial institution in Ireland

If you do not yet live in Ireland but still want to open an account, then you will need two proof of address items in English certified by a third party (Eg, public notary, justice of the peace, lawyer).

Frequently asked questions

Thank you for your feedback!

James Edwards

twitter linkedin

James Edwards is the global cryptocurrency editor at Finder. He coordinates a distributed team of journalists to help further Finder's mission of helping people make better financial decisions. He has been using Bitcoin since 2013 and began working in the industry in 2017. He takes pride in boiling down complex topics into language his parents can understand. His expertise has seen him called on to report at events such as TechCrunch Disrupt, CoinDesk Consensus and IBM Think and has coordinated a vast number of high-profile interviews with the industry's brightest minds. He is a regular contributor to Nasdaq, The Street and is frequently called upon for market commentary in Australia and abroad.

Banks with Apple Pay in Ireland How to switch banks in Ireland

More guides on Finder

What is a standing order?
Confused between direct debits and standing orders? We explain the difference and show you how to create and cancel a standing order.
Best bank account for teens in Ireland
Find out about bank accounts for teenagers, how to choose the right one and how they differ from kids’ prepaid cards.
Foreign currency accounts in Ireland
International banking transactions can be made easy with the help of a multi currency account. If you find that you are consistently trying to manage currencies other than the Australian dollar, then consider banking your money in this type of account.
Best budgeting apps in Ireland
Discover how to save money when you use these handy money-saving apps.
Cashback incentives: What is cashback?
Discover how you can get your money back with a cashback incentive.
The A to Z Guide to Bank Fees
Reads our A to Z guide on all the fees you could be charged on your bank account – and how you can avoid them.
Using a debit card abroad
A debit card with little or no international transaction fees makes it a great option to use abroad. We look at the pros and cons of using a debit card abroad.
Banks with Samsung Pay in Ireland
Samsung Pay is an app that will let you make contactless tap and go payments without using your debit card or entering a PIN.
Banks in Ireland
A comprehensive list of the banks in Ireland.
Contactless payments in Ireland
Making contactless payments are simple. But are they safe and which banks offer tap-and-go technology? Find out in our useful guide.

How to open a bank account in Ireland

A step-by-step guide to opening a bank account in Ireland, including your account options.