Day 9, Getting PPS and Bank Account

Getting the PPS Card 

One of the key things to start living in Ireland is to get the PPS (Personal Public Service) number. This number will be required in every official form you fill. Without getting a PPS you are almost a tourist in the country.

Here is a link to the website which explains what you required and how to follow the process.

Key points to remember are

• Book an appointment before showing up at the PPS office
• Bring all the documents requested as in the website. Missing documents will require you to book another appointment for another day. 
• In my case all documents required to be printed documents. Documents which are handwritten and signed or verified might not get accepted. If there is a possible way to get them printed, take printed version as well. 

But the appointment is a short appointment. If everything is okay you will receive the PPS card within 1 week.

Setting up the Bank Account

Banks in Ireland charge for everything. Does not matter which bank you pick they charge money for all kinds of transactions. They are not like usual banks who want to make customers. Even though the banks are private banks they operate more towards like a government office. You will require all sorts of documents before you getting a bank account. The process will take less time once you provide all documents.

Pick any bank, and just show up there. That's more than enough to get an account. But since they ask for 101 documents, it's good to call them before hand.