Country guide

Business banking in Ireland

Snapshot

Ireland has full service banks such as AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB, alongside digital providers including Revolut Business and Wise Business. An Irish registered company or sole trader can open a business account with proof of identity, proof of address and company documents. Traditional banks can take a few weeks, while digital providers often onboard online in a shorter time. As of 8 June 2026.

Can a non resident open
Possible for an Irish registered business, though overseas owners face more checks at traditional banks. Verify with the provider. As of 8 June 2026.
Typical timeline
Often two to four weeks at traditional banks, longer for complex ownership. Digital providers can be faster. As of 8 June 2026.
Free account available
Some digital providers list no monthly account fee. Wise Business has no monthly fee with a one time setup fee. As of 8 June 2026.
Most providers
Several business accounts
Fees and features as of 8 June 2026Last reviewed 8 June 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

Opening a business account in Ireland is straightforward for an Irish registered company or sole trader, though the choice of provider narrowed after Ulster Bank and KBC left the Irish market. The main full service banks are AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB, which suit firms that want branches, lending and a relationship manager. Digital providers add lower cost and faster onboarding, with Revolut Business offering euro accounts with Irish IBANs and Wise Business offering a multi currency account as a payment provider rather than a bank. Expect to provide identity, address and company documents. Figures here are shown as of 8 June 2026, so confirm current terms with each provider.

How business banking works in Ireland

Ireland is a eurozone market, so business accounts are held in euro and domestic transfers run over the SEPA system. The retail banking sector consolidated in recent years when Ulster Bank and KBC withdrew, which left AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB as the main full service banks alongside a growing set of digital providers. Traditional banks offer branches, lending and in person support, while digital providers compete on cost, speed and multi currency features. As of 8 June 2026.

Who can open a business account

An Irish registered company or a sole trader can apply. Traditional banks ask for proof of identity and proof of address for directors, authorised signatories and beneficial owners, together with company documents, and Bank of Ireland may ask an established business for recent statements. Sole traders can often apply online with AIB and Bank of Ireland. Overseas owners and complex structures usually face more checks and a longer review. As of 8 June 2026. Verify with the provider.

Traditional banks compared with neobanks

The trade off is the familiar one. AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB give branch access, cash handling, lending and deposit protection under the Irish scheme, but business accounts usually carry transaction charges and a maintenance fee. Revolut Business offers euro accounts with Irish IBANs, cards and paid plans, provided by Revolut Bank UAB and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for consumer protection rules. Wise Business is a payment provider, not a bank, so funds are safeguarded rather than covered by a deposit scheme. Match the model to how you bank. As of 8 June 2026.

Requirements and documents

The list below is typical for an Irish business account. Exact requirements vary by provider and by how your business is structured. Verify with the provider

  • Proof of identity and proof of address for directors, authorised signatories and beneficial owners.
  • Company documents such as the certificate of incorporation and constitution, or evidence of a registered business name for a sole trader.
  • Your tax reference, expected account activity, and for some banks recent business statements where the company is established.

How to open an account

  1. Decide whether you want a full service bank such as AIB or Bank of Ireland, or a digital provider such as Revolut Business or Wise Business.
  2. Gather identity, address and company documents for every director, signatory and beneficial owner.
  3. Apply online or in branch, complete the provider checks, then confirm fees and features with the provider before you fund the account.

Compare business accounts available in Ireland

These providers accept business customers in Ireland. Fees and eligibility shown as of 8 June 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Compare business accounts →

Questions about business banking in Ireland

Who can open a business bank account in Ireland?
An Irish registered company or sole trader can apply. Traditional banks such as AIB and Bank of Ireland ask for proof of identity and proof of address for directors, signatories and beneficial owners, plus company documents, and Bank of Ireland may ask established firms for recent business statements. Overseas owners face more checks. As of 8 June 2026. Verify with the provider.
How long does it take to open a business account in Ireland?
It varies. Traditional banks often take around two to four weeks, and complex or overseas ownership can extend this to six to eight weeks because of stricter compliance checks. Digital providers such as Revolut Business and Wise Business can onboard eligible businesses online in a shorter time. As of 8 June 2026. Verify with the provider.
Can a non resident open a business account in Ireland?
It is possible for an Irish registered business, but traditional banks apply more scrutiny to overseas owners and may expect local ties or an in person step. Digital providers can onboard eligible registered businesses online, which some non residents find easier. The position is unclear in general, so verify with the provider. As of 8 June 2026.
Are there digital business accounts in Ireland?
Yes. Revolut Business, provided by Revolut Bank UAB and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for consumer protection rules, offers euro accounts with Irish IBANs and paid plans, while Wise Business is a payment provider, not a bank, offering a multi currency account with no monthly fee and a one time setup fee. Confirm current terms with the provider. As of 8 June 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 8 June 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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