The Republic of Ireland has some of the most sought-after universities in Europe for its academic reputation by international students around the world. According to the Higher Education Authority, Ireland recorded a high of more than 35,000 International students in Ireland in 2022/23. These figures further show that Ireland is a top destination for many international students. 

As an international student moving to Ireland for the first time to study, navigating your way around any city in the country can be quite a challenge - experiencing new cultures and scenery, getting a good financial system, etc. All of these can prove really difficult for a new student. In this blog post, we will give you an insight into the top banks to choose from as an international student in Ireland.

If you're considering living in other countries, you can read more about the best banks for international students here.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Bank As An International Student?

Before choosing a bank, there are certain things one should have researched and considered before making a decision. Some of them include:

Maintenance charges

While every bank typically charges some fees for banking with them, some banks in Ireland waive these fees or charge a very low fee for international students studying in the country. 

Mobile App/Internet banking

As a student in Ireland, you don’t want to have to go to the bank every time you need to perform a transaction. You should make sure the bank you’ve chosen offers these services. This way, you can carry out your transactions from anywhere and not have to visit the banking hall.

Student credit card

Banks in Ireland offer student-only credit cards to international students coming into the country. Some banks offer as high as €1,000 credit limit and very low interest rates in some cases. 

Student loan offer

You also want to check that your bank offers student loans to international students. Some banks in Ireland give out loans as high as €5,000 with flexible repayment plans designed for students. 

Debit cards

With a debit card, you can easily make payments for purchased items in the country like groceries, train and bus fares, etc. Most banks in Ireland offer debit cards for this purpose on their student accounts. You also make sure that the debit card that you’re getting allows for contactless payment, as Ireland is heavy on contactless payments.

Multi-currency support/Exchange rates

Your chosen bank should be able to transact in multiple currencies. You should be able to deposit and receive money into your Ireland bank account in your country’s currency and also be able to convert it to euro (Ireland’s local currency) at a favourable exchange rate.

The 5 Best Banks for International Students in Ireland

Bank of Ireland (BOI).

The Bank of Ireland (BOI) is one of the most popular banks in Ireland. It is the most common among international students because of its widespread accessibility (with over 20 branches in Dublin alone). This bank also has branches in most university institutions across Ireland, making it effortless for students to access them.

To open a bank account with Bank of Ireland, start here.

Allied Irish Bank (AIB).

Allied Irish Bank is one of Ireland's big-4 commercial banks. They offer international students a ‘Contribution Charge Loan’ yearly to ease their college expenses. Also, student accounts have zero maintenance and transaction fees, and students can carry out transactions using the Bank’s mobile app and Internet banking service.

To open a bank account with Allied Irish Bank, start here.

Permanent TSB.

As an international student looking to open a bank account in Ireland that doesn’t charge any maintenance or transaction fees, then Permanent TSB should be your go-to. To make it even more interesting, they offer an emergency cash withdrawal option from ATMs without a card.

To open a bank account with Permanent TSB, start here.

OhentPay is a mobile app that lets you send and receive money internationally, swiftly and at the best rates.  With Ohentpay, you can send and receive money to over 190 countries, and exchange over 40 currencies. So you can send or receive support from loved ones back home without delay. 

Credit Union.

Although Credit Union is a recently launched bank, it is one of the most sought-after banks by international students in Ireland. Credit Union offers services for international students such as reduced-rate student loans with flexible repayments, overdrafts, and many more.

To open a bank account with Credit Union, start here.

Revolut.

Revolut is a popular neo-bank with a presence in Ireland. Although not your regular bank, Revolut offers banking services to users with banking needs - including international students. Also, the Revolut app provides detailed spending analytics and an effective savings tool called ‘Vaults’ designed to help students save funds.

To open a bank account with Revolut, start here.

OhentPay- A Better Option for International Students in Ireland

If you’re an international student in Ireland who will need to make a lot of transactions by sending or receiving money from home, you need a better alternative. 

With OhentPay, you can send, receive and exchange over 40 currencies across 190 countries. It’s also 100% cheaper than using a bank and faster as you get your payments instantly - regardless of where they are coming from. 

Most importantly, you do not need an Ireland residency to open an account. You only need a valid ID card to proceed. Learn more about how OhentPay works here.

Wrapping Up

Although looking for the right bank that serves all your needs as an international student in Ireland can be tedious, you should consider the options listed above. These banks have offered quality banking services to international students and you should consider choosing from this list.   

If you’d like to send money anywhere in the world from Ireland and you prefer fast transfers at great rates, we recommend the OhentPay money transfer service. Create an account to get started here.

Share this post with a friend you think might need this.