Do you dream of studying in Ireland? Good choice! From beautiful scenery to lively pubs , lots of culture and friendly cities, Ireland really offers great living conditions and unforgettable experiences. And as a bonus, opening an account with an Irish bank is relatively simple, which will make your life a lot easier. Find out now what you need to do to open a bank account in Ireland.

What documents are required to open a bank account in Ireland?

You will need two documents to open a bank account in Ireland: a valid photo ID (passport or driver’s license, for example) and one that serves to prove your address in the country, such as a recent electricity bill or correspondence government department or authority.

• Countryaah: See population statistics by city and age about the country of Ireland, including density, growth rates, pyramid, etc.

Obviously, if you are arriving in the country, you may not have any of these documents. But luckily this will not be a problem because you can open a bank account in Ireland even if you are not a resident. Many local banks accept a utility bill, bank statement or government correspondence with the address of their country of origin.

However, some banks will require non-residents to provide two proof of address documents instead of one. You may also be asked to provide a contact for reference and access to your financial history in Brazil.

Is it possible to open a remote or online account?

Unfortunately, few Irish banks allow you to open an account online. Most of the time it is necessary to make an appointment and visit a physical agency. That said, you can open an account remotely by downloading an application form, filling it out and sending it to the bank along with copies of your photo ID and proof of address, which must be certified. To do this, it is necessary to sign and stamp them through an accountant, notary, lawyer or an embassy employee.

The person responsible for making this certification must:

• Confirm that the document is a true copy of the original
• Write your name, title and contact details clearly in capital letters
• Sign, date and stamp the document.

But it is worth mentioning again that most banks will insist on meeting you in person before approving the opening of your Ireland account.

Which bank is the best?

There are dozens of banks for you to open your bank account in Ireland, all offering broadly similar products. However, the country’s three largest banks are Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks and Ulster Bank. Let’s take a look at what each one has to offer.

Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland is the oldest and largest bank in Ireland. It also has the largest network of branches and ATMs in the country. You can apply for a personal account online and, if approved, you will obtain a Visa debit card, access to online banking services and the right to overdraft.

You can also apply for a student bank account, but only if you are a full time university student in the country. In that case, you will receive a free Visa debit card (the bank will pay the government stamp tax for you) and, most importantly, you will not be charged for various types of transactions that are normally charged to other types of account.

Allied Irish Banks (AIB)

AIB’s standard bank account (Personal Current Account) is free if the holder has a fixed credit of € 2,500. In this account you can also receive a Visa debit card with which you can get a refund (the famous cashback ) at selected resellers. It is important to note that receiving a Visa card at this bank is not an automatic right. That is, the bank will decide whether you are eligible or not, depending on your personal circumstances and financial situation.

If you are a full-time university student, you can apply for a Student Plus account , which includes several benefits, such as no maintenance fees and an interest-free overdraft of up to € 1,500.

Ulster Bank

The bank accounts of the Ulster Bank start with a minimum fee of € 4 per month, which will be waived if you keep € 3,000 deposited in a fixed manner or if you are over 60 years. You will receive a Visa debit card, special overdraft conditions and a special method of withdrawing from ATMs only with the use of a code, in case of theft or disappearance of the card. The student accounts also have no maintenance fees and entitled to free overdraft of up to € 1,500.

Other options

While Ireland’s three largest banks are probably your best bet, it may also be worth looking at other options, like the TSB. The bank’s standard account is completely free if the holder makes minimum monthly deposits of € 1,500. Unlike other banks, you can withdraw the total sum of your deposits at once without having to pay any fees. You will also receive 1% interest on the first € 1,500 in your account. This is not much, of course, but it is better than nothing.

What are the costs?

Most Irish banks charge a number of fees. The main fee you will need to pay is maintenance. This is usually charged monthly or quarterly. In addition, Visa debit cards are subject to government stamp duty, currently set at € 2.50 per year.

Some banks may also charge for withdrawals and deposits at ATMs; debit card transactions and even transactions made directly at the agency through an attendant. So it is a good idea to consult the terms and conditions of your bank of interest before closing any contract. That way, you will know what the fees are and if there is any way to avoid them.

Finally, don’t forget about international money transfer fees. When making this type of transfer, you may be charged fees from the Irish bank and the Brazilian bank. In addition, you are likely to get an unfavorable exchange rate. One way to avoid this problem is to transfer it using other methods, such as TransferWise.

Now that you know how to open a bank account in Ireland, how about starting to get ready to win your dream opportunity there? We can help you with this through our expert mentoring and our entire team of mentors.