Personal accounts: Ireland
An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.
Ireland is a member of the European Union and the euro area, speaks English and attracts professionals, students and families who move to work at the European offices of international companies. A personal account here is needed for salary, rent, utility bills and taxes. Banks are supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland and check the client's address and source of money closely.
Who can open a personal account
| Your status | Chances | What else the bank will ask |
|---|---|---|
| Resident of Ireland with an Irish address | high | photo ID, proof of address |
| EU citizen who has just moved | high | passport or ID card, temporary address, employment contract |
| Worker from another country with a work permit | medium to high | permit, employer letter, address |
| Student at an Irish university | medium to high | university letter with address, visa or permission |
| Non-resident with no link to Ireland | low | a convincing purpose for the account, documented funds |
We will calculate online the cost of opening a personal account and maintaining it for a year.
A basic account as an EU resident's right
In Ireland, as across the European Union, there is a right to a basic payment account. It must be opened for an adult who lives legally in the EU and has no other current account with an Irish bank. Such an account works for salary, a card and transfers, and everyday transactions are free in the first year. For full service, deposits and loans the bank will still check address, income and source of funds.
What the bank checks
- Photo ID: passport, EU national ID card or Irish residence permit.
- Proof of address: a utility bill or bank statement no older than six months, a lease, a letter from a public body or university.
- The Personal Public Service Number, needed in Ireland for work and tax. The bank may ask for it together with tax details.
- Purpose of the account and source of funds: employment contract, statements, documents on the sale of a business or assets.
- Tax residence: Irish banks report foreigners' accounts to the tax authorities of their countries.
Deposit protection and taxes
| Question | How it works |
|---|---|
| Deposit guarantee | up to €100,000 per person per bank, ~$112,100; citizenship and residence do not matter |
| Tax on interest for residents | 33%, withheld by the bank when paid |
| Tax on interest for non-residents | not withheld if a non-resident declaration is given to the bank |
| Currency | euro, transfers within the Single Euro Payments Area |
Dollar amounts are converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026 and rounded up. Under Single Euro Payments Area rules an Irish employer or service provider cannot refuse an account from another euro area country, so during the move you can also use a European account opened before arrival.
If you are planning to move
Ireland's investor residence programme closed to new applications in 2023. People move for work, study, family reunification or as persons of independent means, and EU citizens need no permit. For each route the bank will ask for its own set of documents, so we plan the account together with the basis for residence.
How the opening works
- Assessment of your status and choice of a bank that works with your profile.
- Document pack: photo ID, proof of address, tax details, source of funds.
- Application online or at a branch, identity check.
- Card, online banking and first payments.
Residents with an Irish address often get an account within a few days. It is hardest for those who have just arrived and do not yet have a document with an Irish address: an employer or university letter and a temporary lease help here.
Who gets refused
The bank will refuse if the client cannot prove their address, has no link to Ireland and no clear purpose for the account, if the source of money cannot be proven with documents, or if the client or their money is linked to sanctions. We check whether the bank works with Russian citizens before preparing documents.
What we do
Murblz specialists assess the chances before applying, choose a bank in Ireland, prepare proof of address and the explanation of the source of funds, help with the non-resident declaration and handle correspondence with the bank until the account is open. If you are moving, we link the account to your basis for residence. We fix the estimate in writing; the decision to open an account always rests with the bank.
What we do
- Personal account - opening assistance
See also
Company formation · Business account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner open a personal account in Ireland?
What if I do not yet have proof of an Irish address?
Is money in an Irish bank protected?
What tax is charged on interest?
Does an account or an investment in Ireland give a residence permit?
How much does it cost to open an account with your help?
Opening a personal account in Ireland?
We choose an Irish bank for a newcomer or non-resident, prepare proof of address and income and follow the account opening. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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