Help to Buy (HTB) Scheme
Up to €30,000 tax rebate for first-time buyers of new-build homes. Eligibility, how to apply, and key 2026 updates.
First Home Scheme (FHS)
Shared equity scheme — the State covers up to 30% of the purchase price. Eligibility, costs, and how to apply.
Irish Mortgage Guide
Fixed vs variable rates, lender comparison table, how much you can borrow, and getting approval as a first-time buyer.
Stamp Duty Ireland
Current stamp duty rates, first-time buyer relief, exemptions, and how to pay through your solicitor.
Saving a Deposit
How much you need, saving strategies, local authority home loans, gifted deposits, and grants available.
Irish Property Buying Process
Step-by-step from bidding to closing — offers, contracts, surveys, and timelines for 2026.
New vs Second-Hand Homes
Compare new-build and second-hand homes — scheme eligibility, price differences, BER ratings, and pros and cons.
Affordable Housing Schemes
Local authority affordable purchase, cost rental, income limits, and how to apply in 2026.
Local Property Tax (LPT)
How LPT is calculated, value bands, exemptions, payment options, and what first-time buyers need to know.
10 Mistakes First Home Buyers Make
Learn from common pitfalls — mortgage pre-approval, bidding, hidden costs, and overlooked government schemes.
🇮🇪 More Irish Resources
Cork Living Guide · Dublin Living Guide · GAA Guide Ireland · HSE Guide Ireland · Irish Pension Guide · Leaving Certificate Guide · Revenue Tax Guide Ireland
2026 Market Snapshot
Irish house prices kept climbing through 2025 and into 2026. According to the CSO, the median price paid for a home in the 12 months to May 2026 was €395,000 nationally, with Dublin at €500,000. The most expensive area was Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (median €689,325) and the most affordable county was Longford (€198,000). Prices were about 6.2% higher than a year earlier and roughly 25% above the 2007 boom peak.
Outside Dublin, Wicklow (€470,000) and Kildare were the priciest regions, while Donegal and Longford offered the most affordable entry points. Prices vary sharply by county and even by suburb, so use the CSO's Eircode data and Daft.ie transaction figures when budgeting.
What's New for First-Time Buyers in 2026
- Help to Buy: the enhanced scheme (10% of the price, up to €30,000) has been extended to 31 December 2029 — it is not ending in 2026.
- First Home Scheme: shared equity of up to 30% (20% if you also use HTB), with no income cap, on new builds within regional price limits.
- Local Authority Home Loan: limits increased from 1 April 2026 — single-applicant income limit up to €80,000, and maximum property values up to €415,000 in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
- Local Property Tax: a new valuation period (2026–2030) began on 1 November 2025, with wider bands and a new base rate.
- Rent rules: since 1 March 2026, rent increases nationwide are capped at the lower of inflation or 2% a year — RPZs no longer exist.
The Real Cost of Buying in 2026
On a median-priced home of €395,000, a first-time buyer typically needs a 10% deposit (€39,500) plus another €5,000–€10,000 for stamp duty (1% = €3,950), solicitor fees, surveys and valuation. If the home is a new build, Help to Buy can refund up to €30,000 of income tax and DIRT you have already paid, which can cover most of the deposit.
Borrowing is capped at 4 times gross income for first-time buyers, so a couple earning €90,000 combined can typically borrow up to €360,000 — before using HTB, FHS or the Local Authority Home Loan to close any gap.
The CSO's May 2026 figures also show prices rising faster outside Dublin (about 7% a year) than in the capital (about 5%), so affordability is improving fastest in mid-sized cities and commuter counties. Keep an eye on the Residential Property Price Index each month — it is the best single indicator of whether the market is heating up or cooling before you commit.
Where to Start: Your 2026 Checklist
- Check Help to Buy eligibility in your Revenue myAccount — you need income tax and DIRT paid in the previous 4 years.
- Get mortgage Approval in Principle from a bank or broker (4x income, 90% LTV for first-time buyers).
- Use the First Home Scheme calculator to see if shared equity closes your affordability gap on a new build.
- If banks refuse you, apply for the Local Authority Home Loan (90% LTV, fixed rates).
- Budget €5,000–€10,000 for stamp duty, legal fees and surveys on top of your deposit.