Banking
Opening a bank account on return to Ireland may not be straight-forward for some, particulalry those without proof of their address here in Ireland
Safe Home Ireland is here to help, offering guidance and support to make the process smoother
The information below is intended to provide basic information and to help answer your questions about banking.
For further details or advice, please contact us at Safe Home Ireland and we will explain the process of opening a bank account with your preferred bank.
FAQ
1.Can I open a standard bank account before I move back to Ireland?
No. Due to Criminal Justice Legislation to prevent money laundering, customers wishing to open a bank account must provide proof that they are resident in the State.
Setting up a non-resident account in advance of a move to Ireland may make it somewhat easier to covert to a resident account on arrival in Ireland.
Normally, you have to present in person to the bank to action this process. So perhaps if holidaying in Ireland in the future, pop into the larger banks here for futher guidance. It would be no harm to bring along valid photo ID (current passport preferred option) and recent utility bill (from abroad).
Not all banks may offer this option but it may be worth considering. Details of all banks operating in the Irish system can be found HERE
If you are legally resident in another EU State, you may be able to open a basic non-resident account in Ireland.
Please see more information HERE
For Safe Home housing applicants who have received confirmation of an offer of housing in Ireland, please get in touch as we may be able to offer specific assistance to help with the opening of a bank account on arrival bank in Ireland.
2. I have returned home, what documentation will I need to open a bank account here?
1. To open an account in Ireland, most banks require at least 1 utility bill in the customer’s name and address in Ireland to prove that they are resident in the country.
This can pose problems for some returning emigrants particularly those who may be staying with friends/relatives in the first instance.
Some banks may accept a letter from an Irish Govenment department addressed to the customer at their Irish address, in lieu of a utility bill.
2. Proof of identity is also required.
A valid passport or driving licence are the favored options. However, if these are not available the following may be acceptable:
-Birth cert accompanied by a passport photograph signed by the Gardai
-Documentation issued by a Government Department showing the name of the person, together with a statement from a person of responsibility who is in a position to confirm the person’s identity- e.g solicitor, doctor, accountant, religious minister, teacher/other professional.
The final decision on what is acceptable in terms of proof of address and identification rests with each individual bank.
3. Specifically in relation to setting up 'banking online', banks will also look for details of the customer's PPSN (Irish Insurance Number) and an email address. Though this information is not mandatory
It is worth 'shopping around' to check out your options. The larger/traditional banks currently operating in the Irish market are;
- Allied Irish Banks (AIB)
- Bank of Ireland
- Permanent TSB (PTSB)
- EBS (Educational Building Society)
For Safe Home housing applicants who have recently returned to a secure tenancy, please get in touch as we may be able to offer you specific assistance to help with the opening of a bank account
Note!
Some people may find it easier to open a Credit Union Account on return, dealing with local people in their local area.
Foreign Pensions can be paid into an Irish Credit Union Account.
For more information on Credit Unions, including regional locations, please see HERE
3. Can you recommend any other useful resources regarding banking?
Citizens Information Board have developed a useful guide on 'Banking and returning to Ireland', please see HERE
Some of the 'traditional' banks operating in Ireland have dedicated sections for people who are recently returned or planning on moving back to Ireland, click on the links below for more information;
There is useful information in the Irish Times article - 'Are home-buying grants available to returning emigrants?'
To read the full article, please see HERE
