Enter your gross monthly income, existing debts, and deposit. The 28/36 rule gives a conservative maximum purchase price — and this page explains the Central Bank 4× income cap, Help-to-Buy, and LTV rules that are specific to buying in Ireland.
A first-time buyer in Ireland earning €5,800/month (€69,600/year) with €200/month existing debts and a €35,000 deposit: the 28/36 rule caps the monthly payment at €1,624 (28%). At 4.4% over 25 years, that services a loan of about €285,000. Add the deposit: maximum affordable price roughly €320,000.
Central Bank cross-check: the 4× LTI cap limits this buyer to a loan of €278,400 (4 × €69,600) — slightly lower than the 28/36 result, making the LTI cap the binding constraint. Maximum price using the LTI cap: €278,400 + €35,000 = €313,400. The Help-to-Buy rebate (up to €30,000 on a new build) can top up the deposit substantially.
The 28/36 rule is a conservative international benchmark. In Ireland, the Central Bank of Ireland’s loan-to-income (LTI) cap of 4× gross annual income for first-time buyers is often the tighter limit. Use this calculator for the 28/36 estimate, then cross-check against 4× your annual salary.
Irish specifics: First-time buyers need a minimum 10% deposit; second buyers need 20%. Stamp duty is 1% on the first €1m of a residential purchase. Legal fees, surveyor costs, and mortgage protection insurance typically add €3,000–€5,000. Budget for these on top of the deposit figure you enter.
The Central Bank imposes a loan-to-income (LTI) limit of 4× gross annual income for first-time buyers (3.5× for second-time buyers). For a buyer earning €70,000/year the maximum loan is €280,000 regardless of what the 28/36 rule suggests. Check the latest rules at centralbank.ie.
HTB provides a tax rebate of up to 10% of the purchase price (max €30,000) to first-time buyers of new-build homes worth up to €500,000. The rebate comes from income tax and DIRT paid over the previous four years. It cannot be used for second-hand properties.
First-time buyers need at least 10% (90% LTV). Second and subsequent buyers need at least 20% (80% LTV). Budget for stamp duty (1% of purchase price up to €1m), legal fees, and surveyor costs on top of the deposit.
An international affordability benchmark: housing should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income and all debts should not exceed 36%. In Ireland, the Central Bank LTI cap is often the binding constraint — check both.
Ireland reintroduced temporary mortgage interest relief for homeowners who had an outstanding balance between €80,000 and €500,000 at 31 December 2022. The relief was available for 2023 and 2024 tax years. Verify whether any relief applies to you with Revenue Commissioners (revenue.ie).
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