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No fee current accounts in Ireland

Enjoy free banking in Ireland with a no-fee bank account.

N26 Bank Account

N26 Bank Account logo

€0

Monthly Fee

  • Euro IBAN account
  • 0% foreign currency fees
  • Google Pay and Apple Pay
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Fees on current accounts in Ireland have been on the rise, with some accounts costing you more than €70 a year. But if you shop around, it is possible to find a no-fee current account for free banking in Ireland. In this guide, we will take you through how these accounts work, what other fees to look out for and how to find one for you.

Compare a range of no fee current accounts in Ireland

1 - 7 of 7
Name Product 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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What current accounts have no fees in Ireland?

There are a number of no-fee current accounts in Ireland. These include:

  • N26. N26 is an app-based account and its standard card offers up to 5 free ATM withdrawals in euros each month, as well as free payments in any currency for no monthly maintenance fee. You can set daily spending limits, lock or unlock your card and reset your PIN from anywhere in the world, 24/7. As of 16 June 2022, you will need to join the waiting list for the free N26 Standard account.
  • AIB. As an established bank, AIB lets current account customers qualify for free banking and account maintenance if they have a direct debit set up from their Personal Current Account to pay their AIB primary home mortgage. Otherwise, a maintenance fee and a range of transactional fees apply.
  • Revolut. Revolut is a global free banking app that has 0.5% currency conversion fees up to €1,000 each month and charges nothing on ATM withdrawals of up to €200 per month (there’s a 2% charge after that). You get a Euro IBAN, plus a UK account number and sort code and features including split-bill payments to help you divide group spending.
  • EBS. EBS offers a number of current accounts, including its MoneyManager account, which has no maintenance fee or charges for day-to-day transactions. However, there’s no mobile app that could make banking on the go easier and there’s no overdraft facility. Some fees still apply, including for non-euro ATM withdrawals and unpaid cheques or direct debits.

Can I get a free current account?

Yes, it’s possible to apply for a bank account that doesn’t charge any monthly maintenance fees. Many of these accounts might also offer some fee-free transactions for cash withdrawals, depositing money into the account and setting up payments out of the account.

That said, banks have to make a profit in some way or another. So, even if some transactions are free, you might have to pay for other transactions and services. For example, having an overdraft facility will likely mean you’re charged interest if you use it. You might also face a fee if you don’t have enough funds in your account to make a direct debit or standing order payment.

What features should I look for when choosing a current account?

Besides the fees, some of the main features to look for in a current account include:

  • Cashback and rewards. A current account might offer cashback which will accumulate as you spend. Some banks have their own rewards schemes. There may be a fee with these types of accounts but it may be worth paying if the cash benefit is more than the cost.
  • Bundles. Look out for accounts that include access to additional services once you sign up, which can include car, home, phone, or travel insurance.
  • Customer service. Do your research to find out if the bank you’re comparing has a good rating among its users. This can make you feel more assured if switching over to a new bank or needing support with an issue.
  • Overdraft facilities. The cost of going into your overdraft can vary a lot between banks, meaning you can avoid paying extra with certain current accounts. Some providers will charge an overdraft set-up fee and a renewal fee each year, while others won’t. Keep in mind that most banks will charge for going overdrawn when no overdraft facility has been arranged. You may even be charged interest on the overdrawn amount.
  • Student accounts. Banks in Ireland are eager to get students to open a specialist current account with them. If you’re starting uni, you may be offered some great benefits to switch but make sure you’re fully aware of any changes and charges to your account once you finish your studies.

What other fees come with current accounts?

When comparing fee-free current accounts, you should be aware of all the ways you could face charges. Look out for fees including:

  • Foreign exchanges or purchases (average cost 1.75% of transaction value)
  • Replacement or additional cards (€3 average)
  • Overseas ATM withdrawals (average cost of 3.5% of transaction value)
  • Statement reissuing (€2.50 average)
  • Overdraft, both arranged and unarranged (€20 average cost)
  • Returned item fees (€3 average cost)
  • Outgoing bank transfers (€20 average cost)
  • Telephone banking transactions (20 cents average cost)

Make sure you check the terms of each no-fee current account to be fully aware of any other conditions they might have so that you understand how to avoid penalties in these areas.

How do I switch to a no fee current account?

You can switch to a free current account when you find one that matches your needs. Most accounts can be opened online but if you’re not keen on doing it online, some banks will allow you to visit a branch or complete the application over the phone.

All you’ll need to do is complete the bank’s application process and fill in the switching form. The bank will handle all the logistics of moving your details over to your new account. It will also contact your direct debit and standing order providers to have these payments redirected to your new account. The switch should be made within 10 days.

Keep in mind that digital banks may not offer the switching service, so you need to change your details yourself.

Find out more about how to switch current accounts here.

Pros and cons of no fee current accounts

Pros

  • No monthly fee to pay
  • They are easy to open
  • They offer a straightforward and often hassle-free way to manage your everyday banking needs
  • You may be offered an overdraft

Cons

  • You might be charged for using your overdraft or carrying out certain transactions
  • Additional perks and features on the account will be limited
  • You may not qualify for the account if your credit score is poor

Bottom line

There are some free current accounts in Ireland to choose from. But after looking at your options, you may feel that a bank offering a great cashback or reward scheme is better for you than a no fee current account. That’s why it’s a good idea to look into a wide range of different accounts, including all their features and costs, before settling on one that meets your needs.

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.

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