Irish Bank Account After Emigration 2026: AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB and Revolut Compared
Quick answer: Major Irish banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB) usually allow you to keep an account on EU/EEA emigration with an updated address and tax status. Outside the EU (UK after Brexit, Switzerland, USA) conditions tighten — FATCA / CRS reporting applies. Mobile banking and Revolut work worldwide. Keep the account 1-2 years for tax wrap-up.
Key takeaways
- Update address before move.
- Mobile banking globally.
- SEPA in EUR free in EU.
- FATCA/CRS reporting.
- Keep 1-2 years for wrap-up.
Why Irish banks treat emigrants differently from residents
Once you cease to be ordinarily resident in Ireland, your relationship with your Irish bank changes under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6), and Revenue’s DIRT rules. AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB (PTSB) and Revolut Ireland are all required to: re-verify your identity and address, classify you as non-resident for tax-residency reporting under CRS, exchange your account data with the tax authority of your new country of residence each year, and apply different DIRT (Deposit Interest Retention Tax) treatment.
None of this means your account must close. It does mean the bank will ask for: a current foreign address with proof (utility bill or government correspondence), a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from your destination country, an updated tax-residency self-certification (CRS form), and a recent identity document. Failing to respond within the bank’s stated deadline (usually 60-90 days) leads to account restrictions and eventually closure.
What each major Irish bank does for emigrants
| Bank | Non-resident maintenance | Foreign-address acceptance | App access abroad | Typical fee for non-residents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIB | Allowed; case by case | Yes with proof | Yes (works on EU+UK SIM; some restrictions outside EU) | Quarterly maintenance fee + transaction fees |
| Bank of Ireland | Allowed; certain account types only | Yes with proof | Yes; 2FA via Irish mobile or app | Standard current account fees apply |
| Permanent TSB (PTSB) | Allowed; verification required | Yes | Yes | Standard fees |
| Revolut Ireland | Account migration to destination Revolut entity if available | Yes (in-app) | Yes; multi-currency native | Free to Standard tier; Premium/Metal optional |
| EBS, KBC (legacy), Ulster (legacy) | Closed to new business; check residual accounts | Variable | Variable | Often higher for non-residents |
AIB and Bank of Ireland generally maintain accounts for emigrants but require updated proof of address every 12-24 months. Revolut Ireland can be migrated to a Revolut entity in your destination country if one exists (which is the case for most EU countries plus the UK, US, Australia, Singapore and a growing list); the migration preserves your card details and transaction history.
DIRT, gross interest and tax residency in your new country
DIRT is the Irish tax on deposit interest, currently 33% (rate set annually). Irish residents have it withheld automatically; non-residents who are tax-resident in another EU/EEA country can complete a non-resident declaration so that interest is paid gross — but the interest is then taxable in the destination country. Submit Form V2 (or the bank’s equivalent declaration form) to your Irish bank as soon as your foreign tax residency is confirmed. Without it, DIRT continues to be withheld and you must claim it back from Revenue using Form IC5.
The destination tax authority will receive your Irish account balances and interest annually under CRS, so do not be tempted to omit Irish accounts from your destination tax return. Mismatch between bank reports and your declared income triggers compliance reviews — often years after the account was forgotten about.
Mortgages, savings, ISAs equivalents and life cover
Irish mortgages can usually continue after emigration as long as you keep paying. Some lenders (AIB, Bank of Ireland, Haven, ICS) require you to declare your change of residence and may apply a higher interest rate or refuse further drawdowns. The mortgage is not automatically called in but you must keep a SEPA-compatible account funded for the direct debit. Switching to interest-only is rarely available for emigrant landlords; better to plan for full P+I payments out of net rental income.
Savings products such as State Savings (NTMA), Credit Union shares, and Prize Bonds remain accessible but may have residency restrictions on new contributions. Life and serious-illness cover (Royal London, Zurich, Irish Life, Aviva) usually continues if premiums are kept up but check the policy: some void cover for residents of certain countries (US, certain Middle Eastern jurisdictions). Pension products (PRSAs, Personal Pensions, occupational schemes) remain in Ireland; transfer to a destination scheme is possible only in narrow circumstances and rarely beneficial.
The non-resident bank checklist before you leave
1. Update KYC proactively. Two months before departure, contact your bank and tell them your new country of residence and approximate departure date. Ask what documents they will require. The branch will quote the bank’s specific list — usually proof of new address, TIN, and a fresh CRS self-certification.
2. Set up online banking and mobile app. Verify that your phone number works abroad or switch your 2FA to an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) where the bank supports it. SMS-based 2FA breaks for some destinations and roaming.
3. Reduce paper. Switch all statements to digital. Cancel paper-only products. Add a backup email address that you control independently of your Irish ISP.
4. Keep at least one EUR account open. For Revenue refunds, LPT direct debits, mortgage, pension lump sums, sale-of-property proceeds. The bank account does not need to be Irish-domiciled — any SEPA EUR IBAN works for Revenue refunds. But an Irish account simplifies SEPA-only direct debits to LPT, motor tax, and certain DSP refunds.
5. Open a destination bank early. Most countries require a registered address before you can open a current account. Use a Revolut, Wise, N26 or Bunq virtual IBAN as a bridge for the first 4-12 weeks until your local bank account is operational.
Currency conversion and large transfers
Sending more than 50,000 EUR through your Irish bank’s standard wire service typically incurs a 1.5-3% spread on FX plus a flat fee of 25-65 EUR. For large emigration transfers (property sale proceeds, savings, inheritance), use a regulated FX broker or fintech: CurrencyFair, Wise, Revolut Premium, OFX, or TorFX typically charge 0.3-0.7% all-in. The savings on a 300,000 EUR transfer can exceed 6,000 EUR.
Always make first transfers small (1,000-2,000 EUR) to test the destination account and beneficiary details, then send the bulk. Keep contemporaneous records of the source of funds — destination banks regularly request explanation of large EUR inflows under their AML rules, and the Irish solicitor’s closing statement (for property sales) is the gold-standard supporting document.
If your Irish bank closes your account
If despite your best efforts the bank closes your account (it does happen, often because you missed a 30-day verification deadline), the residual balance is held in suspense and can be reclaimed by writing to the bank with proof of identity and a destination account to receive the funds. Allow 4-8 weeks. After 15 years of dormancy, balances are transferred to the Dormant Accounts Fund — still reclaimable but more administrative burden. Set calendar reminders for any bank deadlines and respond promptly. See our Revenue notification guide for related steps; refunds need a working IBAN.
FAQ
Bank closure on EU emigration?
Not automatic — EU rules guarantee a basic payment account.
USA address?
Often restricted because of FATCA.
Non-resident fees?
Vary by bank — confirm before departure.
Mortgage?
Stays in place; notify lender of address change.
Revolut?
Useful for cross-border banking — works worldwide.
Can I keep my AIB or Bank of Ireland account after emigrating?
Yes, in most cases. Both AIB and Bank of Ireland allow non-resident customers to maintain current accounts, provided you update your address to the foreign one with proof, supply a TIN from your destination country, and complete a CRS tax-residency self-certification. Standard fees still apply and some product features (overdrafts, certain savings products) may be restricted.
How do I avoid 33% DIRT being withheld after I leave Ireland?
Submit a non-resident declaration (Form V2 or your bank’s equivalent) to your Irish bank confirming you are tax-resident in another country and not ordinarily resident in Ireland. From that point, deposit interest is paid gross. Interest is then taxable in your destination country instead. If DIRT was wrongly withheld, reclaim from Revenue using Form IC5.
Should I close my Irish bank account when I emigrate?
Usually no — keep at least one Irish or SEPA-compatible EUR account open for at least 12 months after departure. You will need it for Revenue refunds, mortgage direct debits, Local Property Tax payments, and any pension or DSP refunds. Use Revolut or Wise as a low-cost bridge alongside your destination bank account.
Do Irish banks report my account to my new country’s tax authority?
Yes. Under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), Irish banks report account balances and interest annually to Revenue, which exchanges the data with the tax authority of every country where you are tax-resident. Always declare Irish accounts on your destination tax return — mismatches are flagged automatically.
Update address and tax status before departure to avoid digital blocks.
Flyto Relocation handles your international move from Ireland. Get a free quote.
See also: All Ireland moving guides.