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Akif Hazarvi

Ireland IBAN

IE·EUR·SEPA

The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) for Ireland is 22 characters long and is used to identify bank accounts for international transactions, within the SEPA network for euro transfers and via SWIFT for non-euro currencies.

A Ireland IBAN begins with the country code IE and two check digits, followed by the 18-character BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). The Ireland BBAN encodes a 4-character bank code, followed by a 6-character branch code, followed by a 8-character account number. As a SEPA member, Ireland supports low-cost euro transfers across 36+ European countries using the EUR currency. Always include the full 22-character IBAN together with the bank's BIC/SWIFT code when making or receiving international payments.

IBAN Length

22 chars

Currency

EUR

SEPA

Yes

Banks

7+

Example IBAN

Electronic format

IE29AIBK93115212345678

Print format

IE29 AIBK 9311 5212 3456 78

IBAN structure for Ireland

A Ireland IBAN is 22 characters long and consists of the following components:

Country code

IE

Check digits

29

Bank code

4 chars

Branch code

6 chars

Account number

8 chars

Total length22 characters

BBAN format details

The Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN) is the domestic part of the IBAN, following the country code and check digits. Here is the BBAN validation format for Ireland:

Bank code4 characters

^[A-Z]{4}

Branch code6 characters

^[0-9]{6}

Account number8 characters

^[0-9]{8}

Major banks in Ireland

7 banks in Ireland that support IBAN-based international transfers:

A

Allied Irish Banks

B

Bank of Ireland

B

Barclays Bank Ireland Plc

C

Citibank Europe Plc

K

KBC Bank Ireland Plc

U

Ulster Bank Ireland DAC

P

Permanent TSB

Understanding IBAN in Ireland

What is the IBAN format in Ireland

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally-agreed code made up of up to 34 letters and numbers that helps banks make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. Each set of characters represents a different detail for your bank account. You can see the breakdown of this IBAN below.

What is the IBAN code in Ireland

IBAN in Ireland consists of 22 characters: 2 letter country code 2 digit check number 4 characters from the bank's bank code 6 digit code for the bank branch 8 digit code for the bank account number

Do you need an IBAN in Ireland

Yes. If you’re making – or expecting to receive – an international money transfer to a bank account in Ireland, then just a standard bank account number isn’t enough. If you want your money to arrive quickly and safely, you’ll usually need to give the bank a few extra details, such as an IBAN or SWIFT code. Banks assign IBANs to each of their accounts to make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. IBANs contain all of the country, bank, and account details you need to send or receive money internationally. This system is used throughout Europe, and also recognised in some areas of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean.

Frequently asked 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?

Your IE IBAN is displayed in your bank's online banking or mobile app. AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB all show the 22-character IBAN on the account details page. It also appears on bank statements. If you know your NSC (National Sort Code) and account number, your bank can provide the full IBAN.

Is Ireland part of SEPA?

Yes. Ireland is a eurozone and SEPA member. Euro transfers from other EU and EEA countries are processed via SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) or SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst). Within SEPA, only the IE IBAN is required — no BIC/SWIFT code is needed.

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?

No. Since Brexit, the UK is no longer part of SEPA. Transfers from UK banks to Ireland are now routed via SWIFT rather than the cheaper SEPA scheme. This means potentially higher fees and longer processing times. The sender needs both your IE IBAN and your bank's SWIFT/BIC code. AIB's SWIFT code is AABORKMM; Bank of Ireland's is BOFIIE2D.

What are common mistakes when sharing an Irish IBAN?

Common mistakes include: providing only the NSC and account number without the IE prefix, confusing the 4-character bank code (AIBK, BOFI) with the SWIFT code, and entering an incorrect branch sort code. Always verify the full 22-character IBAN before sharing it with a sender.

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 or UK, require both the IBAN and the bank's BIC/SWIFT code. Post-Brexit, transfers from UK banks are no longer processed through SEPA and may carry higher fees.
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.