AI tells a newcomer to Ireland that a PPS Number (or PPSN allocation letter) plus a passport is enough identification to open a bank account
ID: banking/proof-of-address-required-not-ppsn
Version Compatibility
| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| any | active | — | — | — |
Root Cause
Irish banks require photo ID plus a separate proof-of-address document issued to the applicant at their home address within the past 6 months (a utility bill, correspondence from a regulated financial institution, an electoral/polling card, or a Revenue certificate). A Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is not a legal requirement to open a standard personal account - Citizens Information notes banks only ask for it in specific cases such as mortgage interest relief - and AIB's own published requirements explicitly list a PPS Letter issued by the Client Identity Services Department as NOT acceptable as proof of address. Applicants not currently resident in Ireland need two proof-of-address documents instead of one.
genericWorkarounds
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85% success Before applying, obtain a proof-of-address document dated within the last 6 months from an accepted category (utility bill, correspondence from a regulated financial institution, electoral/polling card, Revenue certificate) rather than relying on PPSN paperwork or a passport alone
If no utility account exists yet, ask the bank in advance which alternative documents (e.g. a tenancy agreement plus Revenue correspondence) it will accept, since photocopies are not accepted and originals must be produced in person.
Sources: https://www.aib.ie/our-products/savings-and-deposits/personal-identification-requirements
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70% success If applying before or immediately upon arrival, bring two address proofs - a recent (within 3 months) home-country bank statement or utility bill plus visa/residency documentation - and expect enhanced due diligence to take longer than for an established resident
Dead Ends
Common approaches that don't work:
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Assume a passport plus a PPS Number or PPSN allocation letter is sufficient identification to open an Irish bank account
70% fail
AIB's published personal identification requirements explicitly state that 'A Personal Public Service (PPS) Letter issued by the Irish Client Identity Services Department' is NOT acceptable as proof of address. Banks require a separate proof-of-address document (e.g. a utility bill or correspondence from a regulated financial institution) issued to the applicant at their home address within the past 6 months, in addition to photo ID - the PPSN letter itself does not substitute for it.
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Tell an applicant who is not yet resident in Ireland that one proof of address is enough
50% fail
AIB's non-resident identification requirements state that if you are not currently resident in Ireland you must provide two proof-of-address documents, and for the overseas address a bank statement or utility bill from the home country issued within the last three months is required, on top of an Irish address document once available.