Getting paid by bank transfer in Ireland: IBAN and BIC basics

2026-09-24 · FaighPaid

Most business-to-business payments in Ireland are made by SEPA credit transfer. Getting your bank details right on the invoice is the cheapest way to get paid faster.

IBAN

Your International Bank Account Number identifies your account anywhere in the SEPA area. An Irish IBAN has 22 characters: IE, two check digits, a four-letter bank code, a six-digit sort code and your eight-digit account number, for example IE29 AIBK 9311 5212 3456 78. It is usually printed in groups of four so it is easier to read, but the spaces are not part of the number.

The check digits mean most typos are caught before the payment is sent, but not all of them. Copying and pasting beats retyping.

BIC

The BIC (or SWIFT code) identifies the bank. For SEPA transfers in euro, most banks no longer need it, but some clients' systems still ask for it, so it does no harm to include it.

What to put on the invoice

• Account holder name, exactly as your bank has it.
• IBAN (and BIC if you have it).
• The payment reference to use: your invoice number is the simplest.
• The amount and due date.

How long it takes

Standard SEPA transfers usually arrive within one business day. Many Irish banks also offer SEPA Instant, which normally arrives within seconds. A client saying "I paid it yesterday" is often right, so check your account before you chase again.

Watch out for payment-detail fraud

Criminals send fake "our bank details have changed" emails. Tell clients your details will not change by email alone, and if you do change bank, confirm it by phone. Ask clients to do the same with you.

Want a quick check before you send your next invoice? Try the free invoice grader.

FaighPaid is a free Irish invoicing tool with a built-in payment chaser. Not legal or tax advice — check Revenue.ie and, for decisions about your own tax, your accountant.