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Given that Northern Ireland is Ireland's closest neighbour, you may think about moving or travelling there for work, family, or simply a change.
Something to know before you go is that Northern Ireland follows the UK banking rules rather than the rules set by the Republic of Ireland.
This article covers what you need to know before opening a bank account in Northern Ireland, including eligibility, available banks, and the potential fees.
We'll also see how Wise might be a more straightforward solution for your international banking needs.
To open a bank account in Northern Ireland youāll generally need to complete an application form and provide documentation that proves your identity and address.
Hereās what might be accepted as proof of identity by a Northern Ireland bankĀ¹:
- Republic of Ireland driving licence or provisional licence
- Valid passport
- Electoral identity card with photo
- National identity card with photo
- Biometric residence permit
- Birth certificate (for people under 21 years old)
Hereās what you could provide to a Northern Ireland bank as proof of addressĀ¹:
- Bank, building society or credit union statement
- Mortgage statement
- Utility bill for gas, landline phone, water or electricity
- Rates bill
- Notice of tax coding
š” Keep in mind: These documents generally need to be less than 6 or 12 months old.
If youāre opening a student account youāll likely need to prove your student status. Hereās an idea of how you could do thatĀ¹:
- Letter of acceptance
- Confirmation of place
- Request for payment of student fees
There may be time limits on how old the proof can be so itās a good idea to check with the bank youāre applying to.
When applying for a student bank account youāll also need to prove your identity and address. If youāre under 21 you may be able to prove your address using your parents or guardians documents, provided youāre living with them.Ā¹
Depending on the bank itās possible to open a Northern Ireland bank account online.Ā²
The best way to check is to go onto the bank's website and see if they have the option available.
After Brexit, it generally isnāt possible for a resident of the Republic of Ireland to open a bank account in Northern Ireland.
This happens because most banks are only allowed to offer accounts to people who reside in the UK.Ā³
If youāre looking for an account that enables you to easily spend and receive euros in Ireland and British pounds in Northern Ireland then the Wise multi-currency account might be the right solution for you.
Whether you reside in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, it isnāt an obstacle, and registering for an account can be done in minutes.
Open your Wise Account online š
Before you commit to opening a bank account in Northern Ireland itās a good idea to see what the fees are. Hereās a few to look out for.
This fee is paid monthly to maintain your account. Ideally you want an account that doesnāt have a monthly fee or offers ways for you to avoid paying it such as maintaining a minimum balance.
Fees for cash withdrawals are often split into local fees and foreign fees. Hereās a few things to check for.
Local Fees
Foreign Fees
Foreign transaction fees can be a little expensive or confusing when using some traditional banks so hereās a few that often pop up in fee schedules:
When it comes to foreign transactions you may find that Wise is a more cost effective solution.
With a Wise multi-currency account your money is exchanged using the real, mid market exchange rate, just like you see on Google.
There are quite a few options when it comes to choosing a new bank in Northern Ireland. Let's take a look at Northern Ireland's Big Four banksĀ¹Ā³.
The Bank of Ireland UK has been serving customers in Northern Ireland for around 200 years and is one of the few banks authorised to issue bank notes.ā“ Currently, they have 13 branches in Northern Ireland as well as online and phone banking services.
For personal customers the Bank of Ireland UK have a range of current accounts and savings accounts available.ā“ They also offer mortgages, credit cards and personal loans.
Businesses can open a business account or apply for a commercial loan.ā“
Ulster Bank is an award winning bank that has serviced Ireland since the 1800ās.ā¶ The UK division operates in Northern Ireland serving both business and private customers.Ā³
They have a range of products for personal customers which can be broadly categorised into the following areasāµ:
Business customers also have a range of products to choose from including business bank accounts, savings accounts, trade finance and loans.ā· Ulster Bank also offers a section of business services.
One of the leading banks in Northern Ireland, Danske Bank is the trading name of Northern Bank Ltd.āø Itās part of the Scandinavian Danske Bank Group and has been serving customers for over 200 years.
Their personal banking products include a range of current accounts, personal and home owner loans, mortgages and various savings accounts including an eSaver account and fixed term deposits.ā¹
For businesses, Danske Bank offers Business Current Accounts that vary depending on the size of the business. They also offer various business loans and overdraft options.Ā¹ā°
Allied Irish Banks (AIB) in Northern Ireland are the UK division, meaning theyāre separate to AIB in the Republic of Ireland. They have 7 branches across Northern Ireland and also offer support online.Ā¹Ā¹
For private customers AIB has a range of current, savings and deposit accounts, some of which are tailored for certain groups such as children or students.Ā¹Ā¹ They also offer loans, overdrafts, mortgages, credit cards and currency accounts.
Businesses can open a Business current account, savings account or deposit account.Ā¹Ā² AIB offers business loans, merchant services, business debit cards and currency accounts.
Read more: Moving to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland |
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Wise is an online account that lets you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally.
With a Wise account, you can send money abroad, convert and hold more than 40 currencies and receive payments like a local in 9+ currencies. Get your own UK account number, Euro IBAN, US routing number, and more.
You can also get a Wise card and spend in more than 150 countries around the world.
Open your Wise
account today š
Sources used:
Sources last checked on date: 5 May 2022
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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