First time buyers

Supports for first time buyers

There are several supports available to help first time buyers. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for one or more of the following schemes.

Help to Buy incentive

Help to Buy can help with the deposit for a new build home, or a once-off self-build. This scheme provides a refund of certain taxes paid over the previous four years, up to €30,000.

To qualify, the value of the property you’re buying must be less than €500,000. You must also take out a mortgage for at least 70% of the value of the property. You can read more about Help to Buy, and apply on Revenue.ie.

First Home Scheme

First-time buyers may be eligible for the government’s First Home Scheme. This is a shared equity scheme and can provide up to 30% of the price of a new home. You may be able to use this scheme as well as the Help to Buy incentive, but there are strict limits to property price and mortgage amounts.

Read more about the First Home Scheme.

Local Authority Home Loan

The scheme is for buyers of new or second-hand homes, and for self-builds. A ‘Fresh Start’ principle means that people who are divorced, separated, or who have undergone insolvency, may be eligible.

To be eligible for a Local Authority Home Loan, you must meet strict income and house value limits. You must also be able to show that you could not get the required mortgage from a traditional lender.Learn more about the Local Authority Home Loan.