Debit Card FAQs
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What is a Debit Card?
A Debit Card is linked to your bank account. You can use your Debit Card to pay for purchases in shops or online. You can also use it to withdraw cash at ATMs. Debit Card transactions are debited directly from your bank account within a few days.
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Where can I use my Debit Card?
The Debit Card is widely accepted in millions of shops and ATMs in Ireland and worldwide anywhere Visa Debit is accepted. You can use your card as follows:
Make purchases at Point of Sale (POS)
Make purchases with Cashback up to €100* (in Ireland only)
Make cash withdrawals at ATMs
Make Contactless payments (Contactless is subject to account type and status)
Shop online in Ireland and worldwide
* Cashback amounts at retailer's discretion
You can also use your card to:
Lodge or withdraw cash in AIB Branches or An Post outlets
Access AIB Self Service Devices in branches
Generate unique security codes with the AIB Card Reader for use on AIB Internet Banking*
*If you have access to your accounts through AIB Internet Banking
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What exchange rate applies when using my Debit card abroad?
Click here to see the exchange rates for non-Euro EU/EEA currencies on debit cards.
To view the rates for all other currencies visit the Visa website.
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What are the benefits of my Debit Card?
Worldwide acceptance
Online acceptance and secure online shopping when you use Verified by Visa
Contactless payments providing fast purchasing of items €50 or less.*
*Contactless is subject to account type and status.
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Do I need to activate my new card?
No, you can start to use your card for purchases or ATM transactions as soon as you receive it. However, if you have Contactless on your card you will be required to complete a successful Chip & PIN transaction at either Point of Sale (POS) or at an ATM before you can use Contactless.
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What do I need to do when I receive my Debit Card?
1. You will receive important information about your card when you receive it, please read all accompanying material.
2. Sign the back of your card immediately after you receive it.
3. If your card is a replacement card and you had any regular payments set up on your existing Debit Card (such as utility or phone bills, toll roads, health insurance, membership fees or annual subscriptions) you will need to update the service provider with your new card details.
4. You can start to use your new Debit Card immediately. If your card is a replacement card, please destroy your old Debit Card securely by cutting it in two (through the signature box, magnetic strip and chip).
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If I think I have mislaid my Card, what do I do?
If you think you have mislaid your Debit Card you can place a temporary freeze on your card. This feature is ideal for use as a short term security measure, for example where you have mislaid your card around the home but you don’t want to report it lost just yet! Once found, you can remove the freeze and use your card as normal.
Login to your Internet/Tablet banking or Kiosk Banking by entering your Registration number and PAC (or AIB Personal Debit Card, on Kiosk Banking). Go to the ‘Services & Settings’ drop down menu and choose the ‘Manage my Cards’ option which will give you a list of options to choose from. You can choose the ‘Freeze Card’ option and follow the instructions from there. An immediate freeze will be placed on your card.
If you find your card, you can lift the freeze; simply log into Internet/Tablet banking or Kiosk Banking again and follow the same steps as above but instead of the ‘Freeze Card’ option you will see ‘Unfreeze Card’. Select this option and you can use the card.
It’s very important that the feature be used only as a temporary measure. If you can’t find your Debit Card or if you suspect fraud on your Debit Card, please call us immediately on
1800 24 22 27.
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How can I report my card lost or stolen?
If your card has been lost or stolen or misused it is extremely important that you report this as soon as possible. If you suspect fraud on your Debit Card, please call us immediately on 1800 24 22 27.
There are a number of ways to contact us in relation to a lost, stolen or misused card:
By logging in to AIB Internet Banking and following the steps below*
1. Select ‘Manage my Cards’ within the 'Services & Settings' menu. Select the card you would like to report as lost or stolen
2. Select 'Report Card Lost/Stolen' and follow the steps
By logging in to the AIB Mobile Banking App and following the steps below*
1. Select ‘Cards’ from the menu
2. Tap on the ‘Cancel & replace my card’ option and follow the steps
By telephoning us, 24 hours a day, on: 1800 24 22 27 or +353 1 269 5022 (from outside Ireland)
Where applicable a new card will be automatically ordered for you. If a new card has not been automatically ordered for you, you will be advised on screen.
*If you have access to your accounts through AIB Internet Banking.
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What is Contactless?
Contactless is a faster way to pay for transactions for €50 or less. You pay for your goods simply by holding your card flat against the reader. Wait for the confirmation and go. Please make sure there is enough money in your account when using your card for contactless transactions.
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What are the benefits of Contactless?
1. It’s fast
You can pay for things quickly without having to search for the right change or enter your PIN.
2. It’s simpler
Just look for the contactless symbol, touch your card and pay. It’s that simple to get started.
3. It’s secure
Visa contactless uses the same secure technology as your Chip and PIN card and there’s a limit of €50 per transaction. Every now and then we’ll ask you to insert your card and do a Chip and PIN transaction instead as an extra security check.
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How will I know if I have Contactless on my Card?
If there is a Contactless symbol (pictured below) located under the Visa Debit logo on the front of your Debit Card, then your card is enabled for Contactless payments.
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How is Contactless different from using Chip and PIN?
Instead of putting your card into a terminal and entering your PIN, when you're ready to pay, you simply hold your card flat against the reader to complete the payment.
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Where Contactless is available, do I have to use Contactless instead of Chip and PIN for transactions under €50?
No, it's completely up to you. By having Contactless technology built into your Debit Card, you have more options available to pay for your goods of €50 or less.
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Do I have to activate Contactless on my Card?
Contactless is automatically activated on your Debit Card once you have completed your first successful Chip & PIN transaction at either Point of Sale (POS) or at an ATM.
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Is paying by Contactless secure?
Contactless cards include the latest security features required by the payment card industry. Every now and then we’ll ask you to insert your card and do a Chip and PIN transaction instead as an extra security check.
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If my Debit Card is lost/stolen, can it be used to pay for items again and again?
Your Debit Card has a number of security features including limiting the amount of purchases that can be made before your PIN must be entered. If your Debit Card is lost/stolen please contact us immediately to report this. Please refer to the Contact Us section for our contact telephone numbers. You can also report your card lost or stolen by logging in to your AIB Internet Banking* or Kiosk banking.
*If you have access to your accounts through AIB Internet Banking.
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Where can I use Contactless?
You can make Contactless payments wherever retailers have the Contactless symbol displayed in Ireland and aboard.
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How long will it take for Contactless payments to appear on my account?
Contactless payments will normally appear on your bank account within 2-3 days.
Please note: Contactless transactions may not appear in your pending transactions on AIB Phone & Internet Banking/AIB Mobile Banking/AIB Tablet Banking* so it's important that you keep track of your Contactless usage. Once the transaction has been debited to your account, you will see this on your bank account statement.
*If you have access to your accounts through AIB Internet Banking.
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What if I don't want Contactless technology on my Debit Card?
You can simply choose not to use it and continue to use Chip and PIN when you make your purchases. However, if you are a personal customer and would prefer not to have Contactless technology on your card, please contact your branch.
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What are the fees and charges for the Debit Card?
In addition to the charges outlined below account transaction fees may also apply. Find out more by downloading our ‘A Guide to Fees and Charges for Personal Customers’, Business Fees and Charges and ‘Schedule of International Charges’.
For non-euro transactions, the following fees and charges will also apply to the Debit Card.
Transaction Type
Cash Withdrawals
Using a debit card for purchases in a foreign country including Contactless* (no minimum fee for Contactless Transactions)
Currency Conversion Fee (non-euro)
2.50% of euro value
1.75% of euro value Min. €0.45 - Max. €11.00
Cash withdrawal commission (non-euro)
1% of euro value Min. €2.00 - Max. €6.00
N/A
* The account transaction fee on Contactless transactions is being waived until further notice. -
What are the charges for Contactless?
The account transaction fee of €0.20c is being waived for all Contactless transactions until further notice. However, for non-euro Contactless transactions the Debit Card Purchases Currency Conversion Fee of 1.75% of euro value does apply. There is no minimum fee for Contactless Transactions.
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What is the Government Stamp Duty fee for my Debit Card?
Government Stamp Duty will be charged at a rate of €0.12 per ATM transaction. Government Stamp Duty only applies to ATM transactions carried out within Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland). This charge is capped at €2.50 if you only use your debit card for ATM transactions and capped at €5 if you use your debit card for both purchases and ATM transactions. Government Stamp Duty charge on debit cards is applied in January, for the previous year.
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What is the daily ATM cash withdrawal limit on my Debit Card?
You can use your card for cash withdrawals from ATMs in the Republic of Ireland and worldwide (up to a daily limit of €600) where the Visa logo is displayed. Please note: at some ATMs abroad, particularly in non-European locations, the daily cash withdrawal limit may be reduced to €250 or less. Also local ATM limits may apply.
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I saw a notice at some ATMs saying 'Your issuer may charge an additional fee for this transaction'. Does AIB apply an additional fee for cash withdrawal transactions?
You will be charged an account transaction fee for a Cash withdrawal transaction. For more information on fees and charges applying to cash withdrawals, please download 'A Guide to Fees and Charges for Personal Customers' or 'Business Fees and Charges'. Foreign currency fees and charges are detailed in our ‘Schedule of International Charges’. these brochures are also available from any AIB Branch.
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For some ATM transactions, the date and time of the transactions are printed on my statement, and for some they are not. Why is that?
ATM transactions at AIB or First Trust Bank ATMs will continue to show this information. All other ATM transactions are processed through Visa and as the transactions are not processed in the same way, the date and time is not shown on your statement. For more information on how to identify transactions on your statement please click here.
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Why do my ATM transactions at non AIB ATMs not show up on my account immediately?
These transactions are processed through Visa and will show up in your 'pending transactions' until they post to your account. Your available balance is reduced immediately. For more information on how to identify transactions on your account please click here.
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How do I get details of my pending ATM transactions?
You can view these on AIB Internet Banking/AIB Mobile Banking/AIB Tablet Banking or listen to them on AIB Phone Banking*.
*If you have access to your accounts through AIB Internet Banking.
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Who do I contact if my card is Lost/Stolen/Misused/Damaged?
Please contact your local branch or telephone us, 24 hours a day, on 01 2695022 or + 353 1 2695022 (from outside Ireland)
Alternatively you can report you card Lost/Stolen/Misused/Damaged by logging in to AIB Internet Banking and AIB Mobile Banking*.
Log in to AIB Internet Banking and follow the steps below*
1. Select ‘Manage my Cards’ within the 'Services & Settings' menu. Select the card you would like to report as lost or stolen
2. Select 'Report Card Lost/Stolen' and follow the steps
Log in to the AIB Mobile Banking App and follow the steps below*
1. Select ‘Cards’ from the menu
2. Tap on the ‘Cancel & replace my card’ option and follow the steps
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Who do I contact if I have a query on my Debit Card?
If you suspect fraud on your Debit Card, please contact us immediately. For lost, stolen or misused cards telephone us, 24 hours a day on: 1800 24 22 27 or + 353 1 2695022 (from outside Ireland). Alternatively, you can report your card as lost or stolen by logging in to AIB Internet Banking or Kiosk Banking and following the steps below:
1. Select ‘Manage my Cards’ within the 'Services & Settings' menu. Select the card you would like to report as lost or stolen2. Select 'Report Card Lost/Stolen' and follow the steps
Where applicable a new card will be automatically ordered for you. If a new card has not been automatically ordered for you, you will be advised on screen.
*If you have access to your accounts through AIB Internet Banking.