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The Basic Payment Account is available, as a right, to all customers over the age of 18 who are legally resident in the European Union (EU), including refugees and asylum seekers (international protection applicants) and do not hold any other payment or current account in the Republic of Ireland.

Eligibility Criteria and Restrictions

  • Customers must be over the age of 18 and legally resident in the European Union (EU)
  • Available to customers who don’t already hold a payment account or current account in the Republic of Ireland, including refugees and asylum seekers (international protection applicants) resident in Ireland
  • Only one account can be held per customer
  • Account can be held solely or jointly
  • A cheque book is not available with this account
  • An overdraft facility is not available with this account

If you are already the holder of one of these account types, you can only avail of this account where your old bank has informed you in writing that your account is in the process of being closed. You will need to give us a copy of that letter.

You will also be required to sign a declaration provided by us to confirm you do not already hold a payment or current account in the Republic of Ireland or if you do you have received notice that it will be closed.

You are not required to purchase any additional PTSB products or services in order to avail of the Basic Payment Account.

Refugees and asylum seekers (international protection applicants) resident in Ireland

Whether you have just moved to Ireland, are seeking asylum or have recently been granted refugee status, you have a right to a Basic Payment Account. There’s a few documents we’ll need from you, and you will find a list of documents we can accept below.

We all need a bank account to manage our money safely and efficiently. With a Basic Payment Account with PTSB, you can;

  • Keep your money safe
  • Have your salary or benefits paid directly into your account
  • Manage your bills efficiently
  • Track your spending and saving
  • Use payment cards and online banking

Book an appointment at your local branch or call us on 1800 928 939. Please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, and support you in choosing the current account that is most suitable for you.

Account facilities

With the Basic Payment Account, the following facilities are available:

In order to avail of Open24 Online, Open24 Telephone, and our Mobile App, registration with Open24 is required.

eStatements come as standard with the Basic Payment Account. Alternatively you can opt for paper statements but you must request this at account opening. You will need to be registered with Open24 to receive eStatements. eStatements will remain available on Open24 for a period of 24 months. You can view eStatements in Open24 desktop or in-app on a registered device. If you need a duplicate statement, there is a fee of €2.50 per page.

Contactless Visa Debit Card: Contactless is a quick, easy and secure way to pay for items up to €50 in value using your PTSB Visa Debit Card, with just a simple touch. Find out how Contactless works. For more information about card transaction and withdrawal limits and how you can activate your Contactless Visa Debit Card and you can check our FAQ page.

Fees and Charges

With this account, you will not have to pay any maintenance or day-to day-transactions fees for 12 months from when you open the account. Some charges may apply. Any items that are returned unpaid (including Direct Debits and Standing Orders) will incur the appropriate charge.

ATM transaction charges apply on Euro withdrawals outside the EU and on all non-Euro withdrawals. Debit Card transaction charges apply on all debit transactions outside the Eurozone. Government Stamp Duty will apply. Please see the Terms and Conditions and Personal and Business banking charges for more information on the charges that apply.

There will be no maintenance or day-to-day transaction fees on your account for the first five years as long as the total amount of lodgements made to the account each year are below the National Hourly Minimum Wage of €12.70 per hour multiplied by 2,080 (the figure of 2,080 being based on working a 40 hour week for 52 weeks of the year) totalling currently €26,416 but is subject to change.

If you lodge more than this amount in a 12 month period, you will be given two months written notice to advise that your account will be subject to fees or that you will be moved to another account type.

Upon the expiry of a period of five years from the opening date of your account, charges will be applied to your account or the account will be converted to another PTSB personal current account. You will be provided with a two month notice period prior to this change taking place.

Required documents

1. Photo Identification

You can use any one of the following:

  • Current valid passport
  • Current valid Irish, UK, or European driver’s licence
  • Irish Government Travel Document
  • Temporary Residence Certificate (TRC) – Suitable for asylum seekers/refugees
  • Irish Residence Permit (Stamp 4) – Suitable for asylum seekers/refugees

The photo identification provided must be in your own name.

2. Proof of Address

You can use any one of the following:

  • A utility bill (dated within the last six months)
  • A bank or building society statement issued in the last six months
  • Your Determination of Tax Credits for the current year
  • Your original household/health or motor insurance documents (if less than 12 months old)
  • Correspondence from the Direct Provision Centre/Emergency Reception & Orientation Centre confirming your residency and the date you commenced residency. This is suitable for Asylum seekers / Refugees and must be dated within the last 6 months
  • Correspondence from a Government Department (e.g. Department of Justice, the International Protection Office (IPO)) that includes your full residential address (includes Labour Market Access Permission Letter). This is suitable for asylum seekers/refugees and must be dated within the last 6 months

The name and address on your proof of address must match the details of your new account.

If you are unable to provide any of the documents listed above, please visit your local branch and talk to a member of our staff who can discuss alternative options that may be available to you. Find your nearest branch.  

Important Information

Terms and Conditions apply. Please see Terms and Conditions and Personal and Business banking charges. The Basic Payment Account is not available to business customers.  

Open24: Our automated telephone service and website are available 24 hours a day and provide a wide range of standard services. You can speak to a customer service advisor about any personal banking matters. Just call 1800 928 939. For up to date opening hours please see www.ptsb.ie

Mobile app: We don’t charge you for using this app, however you may incur a data charge from your mobile phone operator for downloading and using it. Check with them if you’re not sure.

Fraud and Financial Crime: Learn how to keep your money safe and sound. Click here for more information.

Additional Support: We’re here to support you and have made the process for opening your Basic Payment Account as easy as possible but if you encounter any difficulty you have a right to make a complaint and we want to hear from you, including asylum seekers and refugees. If you require further support or wish to raise a complaint, click here.

Ways to bank with us

Bank whatever way suits you.

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Learn more about banking with us

Ukraine Crisis

If you have recently arrived in Ireland from Ukraine we want to make opening a Basic Payment Account with us as easy as possible. Below you'll find general information on banking in Ireland in Ukrainian and a list of the documents required to open your account.

Guide to opening accounts in Ireland

This guide is for people who are international protection applicants or who have recently been granted status under the International Protection Act 2015.

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