What you need depends on your legal form. A sole trader usually needs photo identity and proof of address, and the registered business name certificate if trading under a business name. A limited company needs more, including the Certificate of Incorporation, the company constitution, the beneficial ownership filing, and identity and address details for the directors and beneficial owners. A missing document is the most common cause of delay.
- Sole trader
- Photo identity, proof of address, and the registered business name certificate if trading under a business name, as of 11 March 2026.
- Limited company
- Certificate of Incorporation, company constitution, beneficial ownership filing, plus identity and address for directors and beneficial owners.
- Beneficial ownership
- Banks check the company is filed on the Register of Beneficial Ownership before opening a company account.
- Authorised signatories
- A company usually provides a board decision and a list of who can operate the account.
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
For a sole trader
A sole trader trading in their own name usually needs a valid photo identity document, such as a current passport or national identity card, and a recent proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement. If you trade under a business name rather than your own, you register that name with the Companies Registration Office and should have the registered business name certificate ready, since the bank will want to see the name your business uses. A sole trader account is often the quickest to open once these documents are in order. As of 11 March 2026.
For a limited company
A limited company is a separate legal entity, so the bank verifies the company as well as the people behind it. Have ready the Certificate of Incorporation, the company constitution, and proof that the company is filed on the central Register of Beneficial Ownership, because banks check this filing before opening a company account and usually cannot proceed without it. You will also provide identity and address documents for each director and beneficial owner, and the bank typically asks for a board decision to open the account and a list of the people authorised to operate it. Requirements vary by provider, verify before applying
Documents that apply across forms
- Photo identity for each authorised person, usually a current passport or national identity card, as of 11 March 2026.
- Proof of address that is recent enough for the provider, such as a utility bill, bank statement or official letter.
- Details that identify the business, such as the registered business name certificate for a sole trader or the Certificate of Incorporation for a company. Documents issued abroad may need a certified translation. Confirm the full list with the provider.
Compare business accounts available in Ireland
These providers accept business customers in Ireland. Each sets its own document list, shown here as a general guide as of 11 March 2026. Confirm current requirements with the provider before applying.
Compare business accounts →Questions about requirements in Ireland
What documents do I need to open a business account in Ireland?
Do I need a beneficial ownership filing to open a company account in Ireland?
What identity documents are accepted in Ireland?
Does a sole trader need extra documents in Ireland?
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 11 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.