Is it cheaper to buy or rent in Ireland right now?

It depends on your time horizon. In most Irish cities like Dublin and Cork, buying becomes cheaper than renting after 4-7 years due to equity build-up and RPZ rent caps. Use our buy vs rent calculator to compare your specific situation with accurate property prices and rental costs.

How much is stamp duty in Ireland?

Stamp duty in Ireland is 1% on the first €1,000,000 and 2% on any amount above that for residential properties. First-time buyers purchasing new builds under €500,000 are exempt from stamp duty.

How much deposit do I need to buy a house in Ireland?

First-time buyers need a 10% deposit (90% LTV mortgage) while non-first-time buyers need 20%. For a €350,000 house, that's €35,000 for first-time buyers or €70,000 for others. Additional costs include legal fees (€2,500), survey (€500), and bank fees (€1,200).

What is the average house price in Ireland 2026?

The average house price in Ireland in 2026 is €365,000 nationally. Dublin averages €540,000, Cork €340,000, Galway €360,000, and Limerick €310,000. Regional areas range from €210,000 to €290,000. Use our market stats tool to see live prices by county.

How much can I borrow for a mortgage in Ireland?

Under Central Bank rules, you can borrow up to 3.5 times your gross annual income (4x in exceptional cases). For example, a €50,000 salary qualifies for a €175,000 mortgage. Couples combine incomes - €90,000 combined = €315,000 mortgage. Use our mortgage calculator for your exact affordability.

What is the Help to Buy scheme in Ireland?

The Help to Buy scheme provides first-time buyers with a tax rebate of up to €30,000 (10% of property value, max €500,000 property) when purchasing a new build. You must have paid income tax for at least 4 years and use the property as your main residence.

Are house prices in Ireland going up or down in 2026?

House prices in Ireland are projected to rise 3-5% in 2026 due to continued supply shortages and strong demand. Dublin growth is moderating to 2-3%, while regional cities like Cork, Galway, and Limerick are seeing 5-7% growth. Check our market trends for live county-by-county data.

Is buying a house in Ireland a good investment?

Buying in Ireland can be a good investment with average rental yields of 4-6% and historical price appreciation of 4-5% annually. However, it depends on location, property type, and your time horizon. Use our buy vs rent calculator to compare against alternative investments like stocks (5% average return).

How much does it cost to buy a house in Ireland including all fees?

For a €350,000 house, total costs are: deposit €35,000 (10%), stamp duty €3,500 (or €0 for new builds), legal fees €2,500, survey €500, bank fees €1,200, and moving costs €1,000. Total: approximately €43,700. First-time buyers can reduce this with Help to Buy (up to €30,000 rebate).

What is property tax in Ireland?

Local Property Tax (LPT) in Ireland ranges from €90 to €1,755 annually depending on your property's market value. Properties valued at €350,000 pay approximately €315 per year. LPT is payable by all residential property owners and is based on your property's 2013 valuation (next revaluation in 2025).

What SEAI grants are available for home retrofitting in Ireland?

SEAI grants cover 20–80% of eligible upgrade costs depending on income and upgrade type. A full One Stop Shop deep retrofit bringing a home to B2 BER can attract grants of up to €25,000. Solar PV panels attract up to €2,400.

Does a BER upgrade increase property value in Ireland?

Yes. Research suggests a B-rated home sells for 10–15% more than a comparable D or E-rated property in the same area. The effect is strongest in commuter towns and regional cities where energy bills are a major buyer concern.

What is the Warmer Homes Scheme in Ireland?

The Warmer Homes Scheme provides free energy upgrades to homeowners on qualifying social welfare payments, including insulation, heating controls, and a heat pump. It is fully funded by the Government with no cost to the homeowner.

Retrofit ROI Calculator

Discover the real cost and payback period of upgrading your home's energy efficiency with our SEAI grant-inclusive calculator.

Green Retrofit ROI

House Type

Size (sq m)

Net Cost after Grants

€37,500

Total Grant: €12,500

Annual Energy Savings

€2,400

Break-even: 15.6 yrs

Break-even Progress (5-yr view)32%

Today5 Years

SEAI Grant Breakdown

Heat Pump

+€6,500

Solar PV

+€2,400

Insulation

+€3,600

Total€12,500

Green Premium (G → A-Rated)

Value

Est. Value Increase

€42,000

Net Equity Gain

€4,500

*ESRI: ~1–2% value premium per BER grade improvement

Grants via SEAI — Heat Pump, Solar PV & Insulation

Why Retrofit Your Home?

Upgrading your home's energy rating (BER) not only saves you significant money on annual heating bills but also increases your property's market value. Green homes in Ireland are increasingly commanding a premium.

SEAI Grants

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers substantial grants for home energy upgrades. Our calculator automatically factors in average grant values for Heat Pumps, Solar PV panels, and primary insulation methods to give you a realistic "Net Cost."

Payback Period (ROI)

The break-even point is calculated by dividing the net cost of the retrofit by your estimated annual energy savings. For example, a retrofit costing €15,000 net, generating €2,000 in annual savings, has a 7.5 year break-even period. After this point, you are generating pure profit from your upgrade.