How to Open a Business Bank Account in Ireland

Expanding your UK business into Ireland can unlock access to the EU market, but how straightforward is it to open a local business account?

In this guide, we've broken down the full process UK companies need to follow, including legal setup, required documents, and what to expect from traditional Irish banks when applying.

We've also explained how Wise Business can help, giving you the ability to have an Irish IBAN and local account details in Ireland through a business account you can open from within the UK.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Key Takeaways

Discover Wise Business 🔍

Step 1: Establish your Irish legal entity

Before opening a business bank account in ireland, your UK company must have a legal presence in Ireland. You must register your business with the CRO¹.

Your options include:

• Registering a new Irish company (separate legal entity)⁶
• Registering an Irish branch of your UK company¹

A company registered under Irish law becomes a separate legal entity with its own legal personality.⁶

Step 2: Understand compliance requirements

Irish banks must follow strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. These require banks to verify identity, ownership structure, and the nature of the business before opening an account.

For companies with directors based outside Ireland, banks may require:

• Additional documentation
• Proof of business activity
• In-person identity verification

Step 3: Choose your provider

You can choose between traditional banking routes and digital providers, each of which have their own benefits and limitations depending on your business needs.

Traditional options typically involve:

• Application forms
• Supporting documentation
• Multiple verification steps
• In some cases, in-person identity checks

These processes can offer familiarity and access to in-branch support, but they may also result in slower onboarding and more administrative overhead—especially for non-resident directors.

In comparison, digital providers may offer faster and fully-online setup depending on the provider. This might make them a more practical option for your circumstances.

Choosing the right provider depends on how your business operates. If you need a local, branch-based relationship, a traditional route may suit you. If you prioritise speed, flexibility, and managing multiple currencies, a digital solution like Wise Business could be more aligned with your needs.

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Wise Business is designed for cross-border businesses and can give you local account details in Ireland without the need to move there first.

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Comparing Wise Business with traditional business bank account providers:

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

The Wise account is not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

Step 4: Prepare required documents

You will typically need:

• Proof of ID (passport or driving licence)
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)
• Business registration documents (CRO) ⁶
• Company constitution²
• Business plan or supporting documentation²
• Bank mandate form²

Banks may request additional information depending on your business structure.

Step 5: Submit the application

Once the application is submitted, the provider will verify your identity and assess the business before approving the account.

Get local account details in Ireland with Wise Business

If you're operating across the UK and Ireland, managing multiple currencies and payments can become complex. Wise Business offers a way to manage international payments with local account details in currencies - including for Ireland in EUR.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://wise.com/gb/interest/ to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

FAQs

Why do UK companies need an Irish bank account?

Establishing a commercial presence in Ireland provides access to the eurozone, where the euro is currently used by multiple EU countries.³

Having an Irish account with a local IBAN, such as the one you can get by opening a Wise Business account from the UK, can help you:

• Receive SEPA payments in EUR from EU customers⁴
• Pay EU-based suppliers and staff efficiently
• Simplify your EU VAT reporting and tax processes⁵
• Project a local presence for EU clients

SEPA credit transfers allow euro payments across participating countries under the same rules, making cross-border payments as straightforward as domestic ones.⁴

Can I open an account in Ireland as a non-resident?

Yes, but you will typically need CRO registration and identity verification. Traditional processes may require in-person checks, while some providers offer online alternatives.

How long does it take to open an account?

Timelines vary depending on documentation and verification requirements. Completing checks and providing accurate information can help speed up the process.

Can a UK limited company open an account?

Yes, but you must first register with the CRO to establish a recognised presence in Ireland.¹

Can I use a personal account for business?

It is not recommended, as business and personal finances should be kept separate for accounting and legal purposes.

What documents are required?

You will need proof of identity, proof of address, CRO registration, and supporting business documentation.²

Are there fees involved?

Most providers charge maintenance and transaction fees.

For example, some Irish business accounts charge quarterly maintenance fees depending on the provider.⁷

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💡A Wise Business account uses the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees.

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Sources:

1. CRO - External Company Registration
2. Permanent TSB - Required Documents Business Accounts
3. European Union - Countries Using the Euro
4. European Payments Council - SEPA Credit Transfer
5. Revenue Ireland - Registering for Tax
6. CRO - Company Registration Ireland
7. Bank of Ireland - Business Fees and Charges PDF

Sources last checked on 24 April 2026