Best Crypto Cards in Ireland (2026)

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) regulates crypto under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. Ireland is one of the most important jurisdictions for EEA crypto licensing: several major card issuers hold their primary European licenses through Dublin-registered entities.

Under MiCA, Ireland continues as a key licensing hub. The CBI's approach is thorough but business-friendly, with clear guidance for crypto service providers. Coinbase established its European headquarters in Dublin. Many EEA card issuers are effectively "Irish" from a regulatory standpoint, meaning Irish users often benefit from the smoothest onboarding flows.

Coinbase has its European HQ in Dublin. Binance, Crypto.com, OKX, and Bybit serve Irish users through their EEA entities (some licensed through Ireland itself). Plutus and several other issuers also hold Irish or Irish-passported licenses.

Revenue (the Irish tax authority) has active data-sharing agreements with exchanges. All crypto transactions are effectively visible to the tax authority.

Ireland's Revenue Commissioners tax crypto gains at 33% CGT (Capital Gains Tax) with a EUR 1,270 annual exemption. This is among the highest rates in Europe. Every crypto card transaction is a taxable disposal.

Example: You bought 0.01 BTC at EUR 300 and spend it when it is worth EUR 500. The EUR 200 gain is taxed at 33% = EUR 66. If this is your only crypto gain of the year and it is under EUR 1,270, the exemption covers it and you owe EUR 0.

Losses can be carried forward indefinitely to offset future gains (more flexible than Austria or Germany). Cashback rewards in crypto are treated as income subject to your marginal income tax rate (20% or 40%) plus USC and PRSI.

Ireland's double-taxation on BTC cashback is among Europe's harshest. Income tax on receipt plus 33% CGT on spending gains can approach 73%. USDC cashback avoids the second layer. The EUR 1,270 CGT exemption is small and annual (covers all dispositions, not just card spending).

Irish crypto card applications require an Irish passport, driving licence, or Public Services Card for identity verification. Your PPS number (Personal Public Service Number) is required for tax reporting. Proof of Irish address (utility bill, bank statement, or Revenue correspondence) is standard.

Eircode-based address verification is supported by most EEA issuers. Verification is typically fast for residents with existing exchange accounts, especially Coinbase (Dublin HQ). Physical cards ship to Irish addresses within 5-10 business days via An Post or courier. Virtual cards are available immediately for Apple Pay and Google Pay use.

Maximize the EUR 1,270 Exemption

Ireland's EUR 1,270 annual CGT exemption is small but free money. Track your realized crypto gains throughout the year. If you can keep total gains under EUR 1,270, you pay zero CGT. At an 8% cashback rate on USDC spending (minimal gains), the exemption is unlikely to be exhausted through card use alone, preserving it for trading gains.

Card Selection by Use Case

• Binance (8% cashback, free): Best all-around card, zero fees, SEPA instant top-up
• Coinbase (4% cashback, free): Best for Irish users wanting Dublin-based support and familiar platform
• Plutus (9% cashback, EUR 60/yr): Best for heavy spenders above EUR 500/month
• KAST (2% cashback, free): Best no-fee starter for crypto newcomers

Break-Even: Plutus vs Binance

Spending Scenario: EUR 1,000/month

Stablecoin spending saves EUR 317/year at Ireland's 33% rate. The loss carry-forward rule helps if you have accumulated crypto losses from past years.

Cross-Border and Local Payments

Contactless payments are universal across Ireland, from Dublin city centre to rural villages. Every pub, shop, and restaurant accepts tap-to-pay. For cross-border spending in Northern Ireland (GBP), 0% FX fee cards save 1.75-2% per transaction compared to AIB or Bank of Ireland debit cards. This is particularly valuable for border county residents who shop in Newry, Derry, or Belfast regularly. Apple Pay adoption is high in Ireland, making compatible crypto cards practical for daily use.

Dublin licensing hub: Ireland is one of Europe's most important jurisdictions for crypto licensing. Coinbase has its European headquarters in Dublin. Several other issuers hold their primary EEA licenses through Irish-registered entities, meaning Irish users often have the smoothest onboarding and best support.

Major exchange-linked cards: Binance (8%), Crypto.com (up to 5%), OKX (5%), Bybit (up to 10% VIP), and Bitget (8%) all serve Irish residents through their EEA entities.

Self-custody options: Ledger CL Card, MetaMask Card, Gnosis Pay, 1inch Card, and Tria are available for users who want to keep their own keys.

EEA-passported issuers: Plutus (up to 9%), Wirex (up to 8%), Nexo (2% credit-style), KAST, and xPlace round out the selection. No major issuer has withdrawn from Ireland. There are no notable domestic Irish exchanges with card products.