Ireland IBAN
A Ireland IBAN is 22 characters long and Ireland is in SEPA.
IE and two check digits open every Ireland IBAN; its remaining 18 form the BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number).
Example Ireland IBAN
Electronic format
IE29AIBK93115212345678
Print format
IE29 AIBK 9311 5212 3456 78
IBAN structure for Ireland
Major banks in Ireland
5 banks in Ireland that support IBAN-based international transfers:
Format reference: SWIFT IBAN Registry.
Ireland IBAN questions
What is the IBAN format for Ireland?
An Irish IBAN is exactly 22 characters long. It starts with IE, 2 check digits, a 4-character bank code (such as AIBK or BOFI), a 6-digit branch sort code (NSC), and an 8-digit account number. Example: IE29 AIBK 9311 5212 3456 78.
How do I find my IBAN in Ireland?
In the AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB apps the IE IBAN sits with the account's sort code, and it is printed at the top of every statement. If you only have the six-digit National Sort Code and eight-digit account number from an old chequebook, your branch can confirm the 22-character IBAN built from them.
Is Ireland part of SEPA?
Yes. Ireland has used SEPA for euro payments since the scheme began, so a transfer from any EU or EEA bank reaches an Irish account on the IE IBAN alone. Irish banks also receive SEPA Instant payments, which settle in seconds, since the EU made receiving them compulsory for eurozone banks in January 2025.
What is the National Sort Code (NSC) and how does it appear in the Irish IBAN?
The NSC is a 6-digit code that identifies the bank branch in the Irish domestic system. It occupies positions 9-14 of the Irish IBAN, after the 4-character bank code. AIB uses bank code AIBK, Bank of Ireland uses BOFI, and Permanent TSB uses IPBS. The NSC + 8-digit account number form the domestic account reference.
Do transfers from the UK to Ireland still use SEPA?
They can. The UK stayed in SEPA after Brexit as a country outside the EEA, so a British bank may send euros to Ireland as a SEPA Credit Transfer — but it must now include the payer's address and your bank's BIC (AIB's is AIBKIE2D). Some UK banks send euro payments over SWIFT instead, which is slower and usually dearer, so a regular sender from Belfast or London should ask their bank which route it uses.
What are common mistakes when sharing an Irish IBAN?
The usual Irish slip is giving a UK-style sort code and account number instead of the IBAN — easy to do for anyone who banks on both sides of the border. Others: reading the four letters after the check digits (AIBK, BOFI) as the whole SWIFT code, and copying the NSC from a different branch's paperwork.
Can I use digital bank IBANs (Revolut, N26) for SEPA transfers in Ireland?
Yes. Digital banks and e-money providers operating in Ireland — including Revolut and N26 — issue Irish IBANs (starting with IE) that function identically to traditional bank IBANs for SEPA payments. You can receive SEPA credit transfers, set up direct debits, and receive salary payments using a digital bank IE IBAN.
How IBAN is used in Ireland
Ireland uses a 22-character IBAN that incorporates the six-digit National Sort Code (NSC) and the eight-digit account number from the legacy domestic system. Since Ireland is both an EU and eurozone member, SEPA transfers using the IBAN are the primary method for domestic and cross-border euro payments. The Irish banking landscape is relatively concentrated, with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB being the main retail banks.
- An Irish IBAN starts with IE, two check digits, a four-character bank code (like AIBK or BOFI), a six-digit branch sort code, and an eight-digit account number. If you know your NSC and account number, your bank can provide the full IBAN, or you can find it in your online banking settings.
- For receiving international transfers in euro from within SEPA, only the IBAN is needed. Payments from outside SEPA, for instance from the US, require both the IBAN and the bank's BIC/SWIFT code. From Britain, a SEPA transfer is still possible after Brexit, but the UK bank must add the BIC and the payer's address, and some send euros over SWIFT instead, at a higher cost.
- Ireland has seen significant growth in digital banking, with services like Revolut and N26 widely used alongside traditional banks. Regardless of which provider you use, your Irish IBAN (starting with IE) functions identically for receiving SEPA payments and setting up direct debits for bills and subscriptions.
Hungary
Italy
Spain
Austria
Romania
Netherlands