Open Bank Account Online Ireland: Easiest Options & How-To (2025)

There’s a moment when you realise you’ve been putting off the admin: rent to pay, salary to receive, and still no Irish bank account. Whether you’re a new resident, a non-resident planning a move, or just tired of your current bank’s fees, the process has changed significantly: five major banks now offer fully online applications, but the fastest option depends heavily on your residency status and willingness to go digital-only.

Banks offering online accounts in Ireland: Over 10 ·
Average time to open online account: 10-15 minutes ·
Banks with no monthly fee in Ireland: 5+ options ·
Non-resident online accounts available: Yes, at AIB and PTSB

The table below compares fees, opening methods, and requirements for the main banks.

Which banks offer online bank accounts in Ireland?

Major Irish banks with online accounts

• AIB — Full online account opening via app, free for students, €4.50 standard monthly fee (AIB (official banking site))
• Bank of Ireland — Online, phone, or in-branch application for Personal Current Account, €6 monthly fee (Bank of Ireland (personal banking division))
• PTSB — Free current account with cashback on bills, available online (InterNations (expat guide to Irish banking))
• An Post — No monthly fee, quick app sign-up, post office access nationwide

Digital-only options: Monzo, Revolut, N26

• Revolut — App-only, no monthly fee, no PPS required for basic account, opens in 5 minutes
• Monzo — UK-based, app-only, good for travel spending, free
• N26 — German-based digital bank, available in Ireland, free basic account (InterNations (expat resource on Irish banking))

The implication: Your choice hinges on whether you need branch services or can live entirely digitally.

Can I open a bank account online without going into the bank?

Steps to open an account remotely

1. Choose a bank from the list above based on fees and residency status
2. Download the bank’s app or visit their website
3. Complete the application: enter personal details, upload photo ID, verify identity via video call or app selfie
4. For non-residents: some banks require a phone application rather than fully online (Wise (detailed non-resident guide))

What documents are needed

• Photo ID — Passport or driving licence. AIB requires that the name on ID exactly matches proof of address
• Proof of address — Utility bill or bank statement from last 6 months
• Non-resident additional requirements: Certified copies of documents by a solicitor, accountant, embassy official, or public notary. AIB does not accept photocopies
• Bank of Ireland may require non-residents to provide two proof-of-ID documents instead of one
• Mobile phone bills are generally not accepted as proof of address

What this means: If you’re a non-resident outside Ireland, prepare for extra steps beyond the app-based flow.

Can I open a bank account without a PPS number?

Non-resident account options

Some Irish banks allow non-residents to open accounts without a Personal Public Service (PPS) number. AIB (Ireland’s largest retail bank) explicitly outlines options for non-resident account opening, though a PPS number is typically required for interest-bearing accounts.

Revolut and Monzo PPS requirements

• Revolut: Basic current account does not require a PPS number. However, Instant Access Savings accounts do require one
• Monzo: No PPS required for basic account opening in Ireland
• PTSB: PPS number typically required for standard accounts, but non-resident accounts may have different rules

The pattern: Digital-only banks bypass the PPS bottleneck entirely for basic accounts.

Which is the easiest bank to open an account online?

Top 5 easiest banks by application time

1. Revolut — 5 minutes, no branch visit, passport only for basic account
2. N26 — 8 minutes, app-only, video verification
3. An Post — 5-10 minutes, no monthly fee, app sign-up
4. AIB — 10-15 minutes, requires photo ID and proof of address
5. PTSB — 10-15 minutes, app and branch options available

Criteria for ‘easiest’

• Application time — How many minutes from start to submitted application
• Document burden — Number and type of documents required
• Residency restrictions — Whether the bank accepts non-residents easily
• Branch requirement — Whether a physical visit is ever required
• Account activation time — How long until you can make transactions

The catch: Speed often comes at the cost of service breadth.

What is the best bank to open an account in Ireland?

Comparing fees: free vs paid accounts

Five free-current-account options exist: PTSB, An Post, Revolut, Monzo, and N26 all charge no monthly fee. Bank of Ireland charges €6 per month for its standard Personal Current Account (Wise (banking comparison guide)). Wise confirms that Bank of Ireland’s fees apply equally to residents and non-residents.

Best for non-residents

• AIB — Explicit non-resident policy with clear document requirements, but requires certified copies
• PTSB — Free account, online application, accepts non-residents
• Bank of Ireland — Phone application for non-residents living abroad, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
• Revolut — No residency documentation needed beyond a passport for basic account

Best for digital users

• Revolut — Fee-free spending abroad, crypto features, budgeting tools
• N26 — German IBAN, free withdrawals across eurozone, app-based everything
• Monzo — UK-registered, strong travel features, spending insights

The implication: The best solution often involves a combination of digital and traditional accounts.

“AIB says the name on photographic identification must exactly match the name on proof of address, and photocopies of documents are not acceptable for non-resident identification requirements.”

— AIB (official identification policy)

“Bank of Ireland does not have a special account for non-residents and instead allows them to open a standard Personal Current Account with different documentation, at the same cost.”

— Wise (Bank of Ireland non-resident analysis)

One convenient option is the Post Office bank account in Ireland, which offers no monthly fees and nationwide access.

Frequently asked questions

The gap between digital and traditional banking in Ireland is narrowing, but the required documents and residency barriers remain. For a new arrival with no PPS number, Revolut is the only near-instant option — but it’s a starting point, not a permanent home account. For established residents, PTSB’s free current account with branch access and cashback strikes the strongest balance. For most Irish residents, PTSB offers the best balance, while non-residents should use Revolut as a starting point and add a traditional account later.