Since launching in Ireland in 2017, Revolut has become a go-to Irish users seeking flexible digital banking. But let’s clear the air: Is Revolut a bank in Ireland? Technically, no. Get to know what Revolut is and how it works in our article.
Getting started
How to get a Revolut card
Security
Fees and costs
Operations and support
Revolut vs traditional banking
Getting started with Revolut in Ireland
Unlike traditional banks, Revolut operates under an e-money licence supervised by the Revolut Bank UAB. This means your funds are protected by the Deposit Guarantee Scheme but are held in segregated accounts. From instant currency exchange to budgeting tools, Revolut Ireland caters to travellers, freelancers, and everyday spenders alike. Fancy splitting a pub bill in euros one minute and paying for a Spotify subscription in dollars the next? That’s the Revolut appeal.
Opening a Revolut account in Ireland takes under 10 minutes if you’ve got your docs handy. Start by downloading the app (iOS or Android), then:
- Enter your Irish mobile number and email.
- Provide personal details, including your PPS number and Irish residential address.
- Verify your identity using a passport or driver’s licence – a quick selfie will do.
Fun fact: As of 2024, Revolut has over 3 million customers in Ireland, partly due to its seamless setup. Once verified, you’ll get immediate access to a virtual card. But hold on – transferring money into your account? Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a debit card linked to an Irish bank. If your verification stalls (rare but happens), contact support via in-app chat.
Understanding Revolut cards in Ireland
What type of card is Revolut in Ireland? It’s a prepaid debit card and a credit card. You’ll spend only what’s loaded into your account, though Revolut now offers “credit” via short-term loans (200–1,000 EUR) for eligible users. But tread carefully – APRs hit 12.99%, higher than most Irish credit cards.
Key perks? No currency exchange fees on weekends (1% on weekdays for non-euro spending) and fee-free ATM withdrawals up to 200 EUR/month. And while Revolut isn’t a bank, its Irish IBANs (starting with IE) work for direct debits – handy for paying ESB or Vodafone bills.
May be interesting: PAYE for expats in Ireland.
How to get a Revolut card
Want a physical Revolut card in Ireland? Here’s the drill. After opening your account, tap “Order Card” in the app. Choose between Standard (free shipping), Express (19.99 EUR), or Premium/Metal plans (free express shipping). Most users opt for the free Standard card, which arrives in 5–7 business days – though Dubliners often report getting theirs faster.
Need it urgently? The virtual card works instantly with Apple/Google Pay. Oh, and yes, you can get a Revolut card in Ireland for free if you stick to the Standard tier. Lost your card? Freeze it in-app and order a replacement (6 EUR fee unless you’re on Premium). Remember: Revolut issues Visa or Mastercard depending on stock, but both work seamlessly at 99% of Irish retailers.
Explore: How to find a job in Ireland.
Security features and fraud prevention
When using your Revolut card in Ireland, security’s baked into it. The app sends real-time push notifications for every payment – whether you’re grabbing a coffee in Dublin or buying concert tickets online. Spot something dodgy? Freeze your card instantly with a single tap, then investigate at your leisure.
Revolut’s Irish users benefit from biometric logins (face ID or fingerprint) as standard, adding an extra layer against unauthorised access. Travel often? Enable location-based security that blocks transactions if your phone’s GPS doesn’t match the purchase location.
Lost card worries? Unlike traditional Irish banks that take days to issue replacements, Revolut lets you generate a disposable virtual card for immediate use while waiting for your physical card. For disputed transactions, their chargeback process typically resolves issues within 14 days – quicker than the 45-day average at Irish high-street banks.
One Irish-specific quirk: If paying in euros outside the Eurozone (like across the border in Northern Ireland), always choose local currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees. Revolut’s systems automatically detect these scenarios, but staying vigilant saves pennies.
Fees and costs of using Revolut in Ireland
Navigating Revolut’s fee structure in Ireland doesn’t need to feel like decoding hieroglyphics. Let’s break it down. For everyday spending with your Revolut card in Ireland, most transactions are free. Contactless payments, online purchases, or splitting bills at the pub? No extra charges. But – and there’s always a but – ATM withdrawals over 200 EUR/month (or five withdrawals) incur a 2% fee. Annoying? Maybe. Avoidable? Absolutely, with a bit of planning.
International transfers? Here’s where Revolut is not so perfect. Since it’s a bank, you have to become its client before sending funds abroad. Additionally, the fees for transfers from Ireland may be high and vary depending on your destination and transfer method. For smooth and beneficial transfers from Ireland, use Profee:
- Little to no fees;
- Unmatched exchange rates;
- Transfers are completed in minutes;
- Top safety and convenience;
- Trusted by more than 800,000 expats globally.
Check the profee.com website, and after that, let's get back to our Revolut overview.
Now, the Revolut bank in Ireland questions. Technically, Revolut isn’t a bank here yet — it operates under a Lithuanian licence – but services like currency exchange and budgeting tools work seamlessly. Just keep an eye on those pesky weekend markups!
Avoiding common fees: Pro tips for Irish users
While Revolut’s fee structure is generally transparent, savvy users employ tricks to dodge charges altogether. First, ATM withdrawals: Stick to the 200 EUR/month free limit by using card payments wherever possible – even small retailers like Dublin’s Moore Street market stalls now accept contactless.
Currency exchange? Plan ahead. That 1% weekend markup vanishes if you convert euros to dollars or pounds on weekdays. Set up rate alerts in-app to catch optimal moments. For international transfers, always use SEPA for euro payments rather than SWIFT (3-5 EUR).
Top-up smartly: Linking your AIB or Bank of Ireland account via debit card avoids the 0.5% credit card fee. Business users take note – Revolut Business accounts offer unlimited fee-free transfers if you maintain 2,000 EUR monthly.
Lastly, exploit Revolut’s “Vaults” feature. Round up every transaction to the nearest euro, stashing spare change in interest-earning vaults (0.7% AER). It’s essentially a stealth savings account – something even An Post Money doesn’t offer.
Revolut's operations and support in Ireland
“Does Revolut have an office in Ireland?” Yes—it’s nestled in Dublin’s Silicon Docks at 2 Dublin Landings, North Dock, Dublin. Opened in 2021, this hub handles everything from customer support to compliance.
Now, the big one: “Is Revolut a bank in Ireland?” Technically, no. While Revolut Bank UAB holds a Lithuanian licence, Irish users still access euro accounts, direct debits, and FSCS protection up to 100,000 EUR. Confusing? A tad. Functional? Absolutely.
Customer support? Hit-or-miss. The app’s 24/7 chat works for quick fixes, but complex issues may take days. Still, for a “bank” that’s not quite a bank in Ireland, Revolut’s satisfaction rate of 4.4/5 (according to Trustpilot) isn’t half bad.
Revolut vs traditional banking in Ireland
The rise of Revolut bank in Ireland has sparked debates about digital versus traditional banking. Over 3 million Irish residents use Revolut, drawn by features like fee-free currency exchange and instant spending notifications. Compare this to traditional banks, where non-euro ATM withdrawals often incur charges of up to 3% plus 0.50 EUR per transaction. For example, AIB’s basic current account costs 4.50 EUR monthly, while Revolut’s standard plan is free.
Yet, Revolut Ireland isn’t flawless. Unlike brick-and-mortar banks, it lacks in-person support, which 34% of Irish customers still prefer for complex issues like mortgages. Traditional banks also offer overdrafts and loans more seamlessly – something digital-only platforms are slowly rolling out.
Digital banking in Ireland is booming, with 86% of adults using mobile banking apps weekly. Revolut’s budgeting tools, such as round-up savings and spending analytics, appeal to tech-savvy users. However, cash-heavy transactions remain a hurdle.
Final thoughts on using Revolut in Ireland
The Revolut card Ireland offers undeniable perks: digital cards, multi-currency wallets, and real-time fraud alerts. For frequent travellers or online shoppers, it’s a no-brainer.
But weigh this against limitations. Revolut’s Irish IBAN (issued via Lithuania until 2024) occasionally causes hiccups with direct debits. While Revolut Ireland excels for day-to-day spending, consider keeping a traditional bank for mortgages or savings accounts protected under the 100,000 EUR Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
For smart money management, pair Revolut’s agility with the stability of legacy banks and the beneficial Profee offer for sending money from Ireland. Just remember – always have a backup card when relying on digital-only services during Ireland’s occasional rural network outages.
