Banking and returning to Ireland
- Introduction
- Using your bank account from another SEPA country
- Non-resident bank accounts
- Basic bank accounts (EU residents only)
- More information
Introduction
Before opening a bank account, you must show proof of identity (like a valid passport or driving licence) and proof of address (such as a recent utility bill). In general, this means you cannot open an Irish bank account until you have arrived in Ireland.
There are, however, other options for using your money as you make your return and get settled in Ireland. These options are explained below.
Using your bank account from another SEPA country
If you are returning to Ireland from another Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) country, you can continue using your bank account from that country for payments and transfers in euro. For example, your new employer in Ireland can pay your wages into your German account.
You can also set up direct debits with Irish utility companies using your International Bank Account Number (IBAN) from another SEPA country. This means you do not need to open a new Irish bank account to be paid by your employer or to pay for utilities.
If you make a euro payment to another EU country, your bank cannot charge you more than it would to make the transaction within your country. This applies to electronic transactions including:
- Bank account transfers
- Debit or credit card payments
- Direct debits
- Cash machine (ATM) withdrawals
SEPA countries
SEPA countries include:
- All countries in the EU
- The United Kingdom
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Andorra
- San Marino
- Vatican City
SEPA, the UK, and Brexit
Although the United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020 (often called ‘Brexit’), the UK continues to be part of SEPA.
This means you can continue to use your UK IBAN for payments and transfers in euro. You may be asked to give additional information, such as the BIC code and address of your bank.
My employer or utility company won’t accept my IBAN
Employers and companies in Ireland must accept IBANs from other SEPA countries.
If your SEPA IBAN is not accepted, this is called ‘IBAN discrimination.’ You should make a written complaint to the employer or utility company, advising them of their obligation. If that does not resolve the issue, you can report it to the responsible authority:
- The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for cases between you and a trader such as a utility companies)
- The Central Bank of Ireland for other cases, including between you and an employer
Learn more on our page covering how to complain about utilities.
Non-resident bank accounts
Some banks in Ireland offer ‘non-resident’ accounts. This means you might be able to set up an Irish bank account before you return home.
You still must prove your identity and address, but the bank may accept a foreign utility bill, for example, if it has been certified by a solicitor or police officer. Different banks have their own requirements, so you should contact your preferred bank directly for advice.
Basic bank accounts (EU residents only)
If you are resident of any EU country and you do not already have a bank account in Ireland, you can open a basic bank account.
A basic bank account is like a current account, but there are no charges for everyday banking for at least the first year. This means you can withdraw cash from an ATM and use a debit card for payments without any extra cost. However, your debit card may not come with the contactless payment feature.
More information
You can get more information about your banking options when returning to Ireland from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).
You can also contact any of the banks in Ireland directly to discuss your options.