Getting a bank account in Dublin

Getting a bank account in Dublin for a newcomer may be the most challenging feat you will experience here. There is a Catch 22 situation, whereby they ask for your home address, but you cannot rent an apartment without a bank account.

If you are a student, things will be easier. If you come here with a local job already secured, things will be easier as well. For students I would recommend asking at the college which branch is student friendly. Colleges tend to have agreements with the banks to streamline this process.

In our case, Bank of Ireland branch in Montrose was the student friendly branch for University College of Dublin students.

Debit cards in Ireland are called Laser cards. They are chip cards that you can use at most retailers and online. It is useful to have a Laser card if you are planning on flying with Ryanair, since they do not charge you extra if you pay with Laser.

Getting a local credit card is impossible if you are from outside of the EU and have not lived here for over three years. I still cannot get one.

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