Sending business payments from the US to Ireland
A US company pays an Irish supplier, contractor or subsidiary in euros to its IBAN as a SEPA transfer, or by SWIFT wire in euros or dollars. You need the legal name exactly as on the account and the 22-character Irish IBAN, which contains a 4-letter bank code and the 6-digit sort code.
- An Irish IBAN has 22 characters: IE, two check digits, a 4-letter bank code, the 6-digit sort code and an 8-digit account number.
- Ireland has no commercial foreign exchange limitations and no restrictions on repatriation of capital and profits by American firms, according to the International Trade Administration.
- Verification of payee has applied to euro transfers in euro area countries since 9 October 2025.
- Euro area banks must be able to receive instant euro payments since 9 January 2025.
- Helm pays euros by SEPA, with the conversion margin shown before you confirm.
Details to collect from a supplier in Ireland
Ireland uses the IBAN for every account. Swift's IBAN Registry lists the Irish IBAN at 22 characters: after IE and the check digits come a 4-letter bank code and a 6-digit branch code, the sort code, then the account number; its example is IE29AIBK93115212345678. Irish invoices often show the sort code and account number as well, but the IBAN carries both. Irish banks, as euro area banks, have offered verification of payee since 9 October 2025, comparing the beneficiary name with the IBAN holder before a euro transfer goes.
| Detail | Format | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| IBAN | 22 characters starting IE; 4-letter bank code and 6-digit sort code | Identifies bank, branch and account |
| Beneficiary name | Legal name exactly as registered with the bank | Checked by verification of payee on euro transfers |
| Bank SWIFT/BIC | 8 or 11 characters | Needed for SWIFT wires |
| Company form | For example Limited or DAC, as part of the legal name | Part of the name the bank checks |
| Reference | Invoice number | Lets the supplier match the payment |
Sources: Swift IBAN Registry, Release 103 (September 2026); European Central Bank. As published on 29 October 2026.
Check the 4-letter bank code and the BIC with our SWIFT code lookup.
Pay in euros or in US dollars?
The International Trade Administration states that Ireland, as a member of the European Union and the European Monetary System, has no commercial foreign exchange limitations or unusual regulations, and no restrictions on inward investment, foreign trading or the repatriation of capital and profits of American firms based in Ireland.
If the supplier invoices in euros, pay its euro IBAN. A euro invoice paid by SEPA arrives with no conversion; dollars sent to a euro account are converted by the Irish bank.
| Point | Position in Ireland |
|---|---|
| Exchange controls | No commercial foreign exchange limitations |
| Repatriation of capital and profits | No restrictions for American firms |
| Currency | Euro |
Sources: International Trade Administration, Ireland. As published on 29 October 2026.
For euro values, see the USD to EUR currency page.
Rails and arrival times
Every institution licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland can be checked on the Central Bank's Financial Service Provider Search, which the International Trade Administration points to; use it to confirm that the supplier's bank is licensed before a first payment.
The usual route is a SEPA credit transfer in euros to the Irish IBAN. Irish banks, like all euro area banks, have had to receive instant euro payments since 9 January 2025 under the Instant Payments Regulation, as the European Central Bank sets out.
For dollar invoices, a SWIFT wire goes to the IBAN of the dollar account. Swift reports that almost 100% of gpi payments are credited within 24 hours.
| Route | Currency | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| SEPA credit transfer | EUR | Irish banks receive instant euro payments since 9 January 2025 |
| SWIFT wire | USD or EUR | Almost 100% of gpi payments within 24 hours |
Sources: European Central Bank, Instant Payments Regulation; Swift gpi. As published on 29 October 2026.
Documents, reporting and checks
Ireland does not ask a foreign payer for purpose codes. For an Irish subsidiary of a US group, the bank's interest is in a clear reference: state whether each payment covers services, royalties, a loan or capital, and quote the intercompany agreement. For suppliers, quote the invoice number and pay from the company named as buyer.
If the supplier trades under a business name that differs from its company name, use the name on the account: verification of payee compares the name you give with the account holder, and the supplier's invoice or bank letter should show it.
On the US side, every payment to an Irish company must pass sanctions screening: OFAC states that all US persons, including all US incorporated entities and their foreign branches, must comply with US sanctions, so the payer, the recipient and the recipient's bank are checked before the money moves.
Costs: Helm fees, intermediary deductions, SHA and OUR
Irish banks publish their own charges for receiving payments from outside the EU; ask the supplier what its bank deducts. Paying euros by SEPA avoids correspondent banks, and PSD2 Article 62 has each party pay its own provider within the EU. On SWIFT wires, OUR means you pay all charges and SHA lets intermediaries deduct theirs; see our guide to OUR, SHA and BEN charges. Helm does not open accounts for businesses registered in the UK or the EEA; this page is for US companies paying them. Helm international payments show the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm, and the account manager confirms the route for each corridor.
Helm agrees pricing with each business in writing before the account opens, and shows the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm each payment. See how Helm pricing works.
Why payments to Ireland are delayed or returned
| Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Business name used instead of the company name (no match) | Use the name on the account |
| Sort code and account number given without the IBAN | Ask for the full 22-character IBAN |
| Dollars sent to a euro account | Pay euros, or ask for a USD account |
| SHA deductions on a SWIFT wire | Pay euros by SEPA, or send OUR |
| Missing reference | Quote the invoice or intercompany agreement |
Sources: European Central Bank; Swift IBAN Registry; Helm Editorial Team. As published on 29 October 2026.
Checklist before you send
- Collect the account name, the 22-character IBAN and the BIC.
- Agree EUR or USD on the purchase order.
- Pay euros by SEPA where your provider offers it.
- For a subsidiary, label services, royalties, loans or capital in the reference.
- Quote the invoice number for supplier payments.
Open a Helm account
USD, EUR and GBP accounts in your company's name, with a named account manager.
Open accountQuestions
What details do I need to pay an Irish company?
The name on the account, the 22-character IBAN, which includes the sort code, and for SWIFT wires the bank's BIC.
Is an Irish sort code enough to pay from the US?
Use the full IBAN. Swift's IBAN Registry shows the Irish IBAN combines a 4-letter bank code, the 6-digit sort code and the account number.
Does Ireland restrict payments from the US?
No. The International Trade Administration states there are no commercial foreign exchange limitations in Ireland.
Should I pay an Irish supplier in euros?
Usually yes, if it invoices in euros. Dollars sent to a euro account are converted by the Irish bank.
How long does a payment to Ireland take?
Euro area banks must be able to receive instant euro payments since January 2025. On SWIFT, almost 100% of gpi payments are credited within 24 hours.
References
- International Trade Administration: Ireland Country Commercial Guide, Trade Financing
- Swift: IBAN Registry, Release 103 (September 2026)
- European Central Bank: Instant Payments Regulation
- Directive (EU) 2015/2366 (PSD2), Article 62: Charges applicable
- Swift: Fast, transparent and trackable payments (gpi)
- U.S. Department of the Treasury, OFAC: Who must comply with OFAC sanctions? (FAQ 11)
This guide is general information for businesses, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and timings were checked against the sources listed on the review date and may change.