Irish Bank Statements for Schengen Visa: Complete Requirements Guide

Why Are Bank Statements Required for Schengen Visa?

Embassies require bank statements to verify that you have sufficient funds to cover your trip expenses and that you're financially stable. This serves multiple purposes:

• ✅ Proof of financial means: Shows you can afford accommodation, food, and activities
• ✅ Financial stability: Regular income/salary deposits indicate stable employment
• ✅ Return guarantee: Financial ties to Ireland suggest you'll return after your trip
• ✅ No illegal work risk: Sufficient funds mean you won't need to work illegally in Europe

Which Irish Banks Are Accepted?

All legitimate Irish banks are accepted for Schengen visa applications. Here are the most common ones:

Traditional Irish Banks

• ✅ Bank of Ireland (BOI) - Most widely used
• ✅ AIB (Allied Irish Banks) - Fully accepted
• ✅ Permanent TSB - Accepted
• ✅ Ulster Bank - Still accepted (closing down but valid for existing accounts)
• ✅ KBC Bank Ireland - Accepted (closed to new customers)

Digital/Online Banks

• ✅ Revolut - Accepted (must have Irish IBAN starting with IE)
• ✅ N26 - Accepted (Irish account)
• ✅ Bunq - Accepted
• ✅ An Post Money - Accepted

Credit Unions

• ✅ Irish credit unions are accepted
• ✅ Must provide official stamped statements

Irish Bank Statement Requirements for Schengen Visa

Essential Requirements

What Embassies Look For

1. Regular income: Monthly salary deposits from your Irish employer
2. Sufficient balance: Enough money to cover your trip (see below)
3. Normal spending: Regular transactions for rent, groceries, utilities
4. No sudden large deposits: Avoid depositing large sums just before applying
5. Account age: Account should be active for several months, not brand new

How Much Money Should You Have in Your Irish Bank Account?

The general rule is €60-70 per day of your planned stay in the Schengen Area. However, requirements vary by embassy and individual circumstances.

Minimum Balance by Trip Duration

Country-Specific Requirements

Different embassies have slightly different standards:

• 🇫🇷 France: €65 per day, €120 if no accommodation proof
• 🇩🇪 Germany: €60 per day minimum
• 🇪🇸 Spain: €100 per day (or €900 minimum regardless of duration)
• 🇮🇹 Italy: €45 per day with accommodation, €100 without
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands: €55 per day

What If You Don't Have Enough Money?

If your Irish bank balance is insufficient, you have options:

• Sponsorship: Someone (family member, friend) can sponsor you with their bank statements and a sponsorship letter
• Multiple accounts: Show statements from multiple Irish bank accounts you own
• Savings account: Include Irish savings account statements alongside current account
• Proof of paid expenses: Show hotel and flight already paid (reduces required daily amount)

How to Get Your Irish Bank Statements Stamped

Most embassies require an official bank stamp on your statements. Here's how to get it from each Irish bank:

Bank of Ireland (BOI)

1. Print your statements from online banking OR request at branch
2. Visit any Bank of Ireland branch with your ID
3. Ask teller: "Can you please stamp my bank statements for my visa application?"
4. Free service - they'll stamp each page
5. No appointment needed (but branches can be busy)

AIB (Allied Irish Banks)

1. Request statements at branch or print from online banking
2. Visit branch with photo ID and debit card
3. Ask for official stamp for visa purposes
4. Free - stamped immediately

Permanent TSB

1. Go to your branch with ID
2. Request stamped statements for "Schengen visa application"
3. They may print fresh statements with official stamp
4. Free service

Revolut / N26 (Digital Banks)

Revolut:

• Generate statement PDF from Revolut app (Home → Account → Statements)
• Select last 3 months
• Download PDF - it comes with digital seal/signature
• Print in color to show official logo and signature
• Some embassies accept this; others require additional verification
• Tip: Revolut can provide certified statements via email request

N26:

• Download statements from N26 app (Account → Statements)
• Comes with digital signature
• Print in color
• Contact N26 support if embassy requires additional certification

Bank-Specific Tips for Schengen Visa Applications

Bank of Ireland Users

• BOI is the most recognized Irish bank internationally
• Stamping service is reliable and quick at all branches
• 365 online banking statements are accepted if stamped
• Best to use BOI if you have accounts with multiple banks

AIB Users

• AIB Internet Banking statements work perfectly
• Branch staff are familiar with visa requirements
• Stamping is free and fast

Revolut Users

• ✅ Advantages: Easy to download, instant access, clean formatting
• ⚠️ Concerns: Some embassies skeptical of digital-only banks
• 💡 Solution: Have BOI or AIB account as backup, or use Revolut alongside traditional bank
• Contact Revolut support to request certified/authenticated statement if needed

Multiple Bank Accounts

Can you submit statements from multiple banks? Yes!

• Useful if funds spread across accounts
• Submit all statements together
• Explain in cover letter: "I maintain multiple accounts in Ireland"
• All accounts should show your name and Irish address

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Irish Bank Statements

❌ Mistake 1: No Bank Stamp

Problem: Printed statements without official stamp
Solution: Always get statements stamped at branch before submission

❌ Mistake 2: Large Deposit Right Before Application

Problem: Depositing €5,000 two days before applying looks suspicious
Solution: Build balance gradually over 2-3 months, or explain source of funds

❌ Mistake 3: Brand New Account

Problem: Opening account just for visa application
Solution: Use account that's been active for 6+ months showing regular usage

❌ Mistake 4: Insufficient Statement Period

Problem: Only 1-2 months of statements
Solution: Provide 3-6 months to show financial stability

❌ Mistake 5: Low Balance with High Salary

Problem: €3,000 monthly salary but only €200 in account
Solution: Shows poor financial management; maintain reasonable balance

❌ Mistake 6: Name Mismatch

Problem: Name on statement doesn't match passport exactly
Solution: Update bank records to match passport, or provide name change proof

❌ Mistake 7: Using Home Country Statements Only

Problem: Showing bank statements from India/Pakistan instead of Ireland
Solution: Use Irish bank statements to show your financial ties to Ireland

Frequently Asked Questions - Irish Bank Statements