The legal requirement
Irish banks are legally required under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act to verify the identity and address of every customer before opening an account. This is not optional and it is not at the bank's discretion — they must comply. What is at their discretion is which documents they accept as evidence of identity and address.
Identity documents — what works
Best — universally accepted
- Valid passport — accepted by every bank without exception. If you have one, bring it.
Good — widely accepted
- EU national identity card — accepted by most banks for EU citizens
- Irish driving licence — accepted alongside another document at most banks
- Irish Public Services Card (PSC) — accepted at some banks as a supplementary document
Accepted with caveats
- IRP card — accepted by some banks as identity, but many banks require a passport as well. Never rely on IRP alone without calling ahead to confirm.
Proof of address — all your options
Strong proof of address (widely accepted)
- Utility bill (electricity, gas, broadband) in your name — within 3 months
- Bank statement from another bank — Irish or international — within 3 months
- Revenue correspondence — tax credits letter, P60, TCC — addressed to you at your Irish address
- DSP correspondence — social welfare letter, medical card letter
Sometimes accepted (varies by bank)
- Lease agreement or tenancy agreement — some banks accept this, others do not
- Letter from an employer on company headed paper confirming your name and address
- Letter from a GP, solicitor, or accountant confirming your address (sometimes required for non-standard situations)
Not typically accepted
- Mobile phone bills
- Insurance documents
- Documents addressed to someone else at the same address
- Documents older than 3–6 months
PPS number
All Irish banks require a PPS number to open a current account. This is a legal requirement under Irish tax law — banks must report interest payments and certain other information to Revenue, and they use your PPS number to do this.
Some basic accounts (including An Post Money) can be opened initially without a PPS number, but you will need to provide it within a specified period (typically 30 days).
If you do not yet have a PPS number, apply at your local Intreo centre first. You can open a digital account (N26 or Revolut) in the meantime for day-to-day transactions.
What to do if your documents are not standard
If you are in temporary accommodation, staying with family, or have just arrived and cannot produce a utility bill in your name, see the dedicated guide on opening an account with no proof of address. Solutions include An Post Money, N26, Revolut, credit unions, and using a letter from a solicitor or employer confirming your address.
More bank account guides
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