Eligible Homebuyer
Applicants generally need to be first-time buyers or qualify under a recognised Fresh Start circumstance, be over 18 and buy the home as their principal private residence.
FIRST HOME SCHEME · IRELAND
First Home Scheme Ireland: Shared Equity Explained Clearly
See how the First Home Scheme may bridge an eligible gap between your deposit, mortgage and qualifying property price—and understand the equity share, local-authority ceilings and future service charges before you proceed.
Information checked 22 July 2026. Scheme rules can change; confirm your position with the relevant scheme before relying on an estimate.AT A GLANCE
What the First Home Scheme Can—and Cannot—Do
FHS support is designed around the actual eligible funding gap. A published maximum percentage is an upper limit, not an amount every applicant can take.
Maximum Without HTBUp to 30%
Maximum With HTBUp to 20%
Minimum Equity Support2.5% or €10k
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Read the official FHS overviewShared Equity, Not Cash and Not a Normal Loan
The scheme’s support is tied to an equity percentage in the home. If the property value changes, the euro amount needed to redeem that percentage may also change.
ELIGIBILITY
Core Conditions to Check
An applicant must satisfy the buyer, property, lender and price-ceiling rules. An eligibility indication is not a guarantee of final funding.
Qualifying Property
Eligible products include qualifying new homes, self-builds and the specific Tenant Home Purchase route described by the scheme. Property conditions differ by product.
Mortgage and Funding Gap
You need mortgage approval from a participating lender. FHS is intended to bridge an eligible shortfall after the mortgage and deposit—not to increase support beyond that gap.
CURRENT PROPERTY CEILINGS
First Home Scheme Price Ceilings by Local Authority
The purchase price or self-build cost must be at or below the applicable ceiling. Waterford currently has a higher apartment ceiling; other listed groups use the same published figure across house, apartment and self-build.
| Local Authority Area | House | Apartment | Self-build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cork City; Dublin City; Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown; Fingal; South Dublin; Wicklow County | €500,000 | €500,000 | €500,000 |
| Galway City; Kildare County; Meath County | €475,000 | €475,000 | €475,000 |
| Cork County; Galway County; Limerick City and County | €450,000 | €450,000 | €450,000 |
| Kerry County; Louth County; Mayo County | €425,000 | €425,000 | €425,000 |
| Waterford City and County | €400,000 | €450,000 | €400,000 |
| Clare; Donegal; Kilkenny; Laois; Leitrim; Roscommon; Sligo; Westmeath; Wexford | €400,000 | €400,000 | €400,000 |
| Carlow; Cavan; Longford; Monaghan; Offaly; Tipperary | €375,000 | €375,000 | €375,000 |
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Open the live FHS price-ceiling tableCheck the Exact Local Authority—Not Only the County Name
Dublin and Cork include multiple local-authority areas. The calculator uses simplified county planning data, so the official FHS table must be checked before an application.
COST OVER TIME
Equity Redemption and Service Charges
There is no service charge during the first five years. Current scheme rates then apply to the relevant equity facility amount, while the equity redemption value remains linked to the home’s value.
Years 1–5
0.00%No service charge under the current published schedule.
Years 6–15
1.75%Annual service-charge rate under the current published schedule.
Later Years
2.15% / 2.85%2.15% for years 16–29 and 2.85% from year 30 onwards.
COMBINING SUPPORT
Using FHS With Help to Buy
HTB may help with the deposit, while FHS may address an eligible remaining funding gap. Each scheme assesses its own eligibility separately.
With HTB
The maximum FHS equity share that may be available is 20% of the qualifying purchase price or build cost, limited by the actual eligible funding gap.
Without HTB
The maximum FHS equity share that may be available is 30%, again limited by the actual gap and all other scheme conditions.
Deposit Position
First-time buyers generally need a 10% deposit. The official FHS guidance says eligible HTB support can contribute towards that deposit.
APPLICATION JOURNEY
From Mortgage Approval to FHS Funding
The precise documents and sequence depend on the selected FHS product, but the decision path follows three broad stages.
Confirm the Funding Gap
Establish the deposit, mortgage approval, property price, applicable ceiling and whether HTB will form part of the plan.
Apply for Eligibility
Complete the FHS application and provide the requested applicant, property and participating-lender details.
Review the Contract
If fully approved, review the Customer Contract, equity percentage, redemption treatment and service charges with independent legal and financial advisers.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the points buyers most often need to confirm.
Is the First Home Scheme a normal loan?+
No. It is a shared-equity facility. The scheme takes an equity percentage in the qualifying property. A future redemption amount can rise or fall as the home’s market value changes.
How much FHS support may be available?+
Subject to the funding gap and all scheme conditions, the maximum equity share may be up to 30% of the purchase price or self-build cost when HTB is not used, or up to 20% when HTB is used.
Can the First Home Scheme and Help to Buy be combined?+
Yes, for qualifying new-build and self-build products where the separate rules of both schemes are met. HTB cannot be combined with the FHS Tenant Home Purchase product for a second-hand rented home.
Does household income create an FHS eligibility limit?+
The official FHS guidance states that there is no upper or lower household income limit for the scheme. However, the applicant still needs mortgage approval from a participating lender and must meet the other eligibility and funding-gap conditions.
What is the minimum FHS equity support?+
The minimum equity share is 2.5% of the qualifying purchase price or build cost, or €10,000, whichever is higher.
Do service charges apply?+
There is no service charge for years one to five. Under the current published schedule, charges begin in year six at 1.75% for years 6–15, 2.15% for years 16–29 and 2.85% for year 30 onwards, applied to the relevant equity facility amount under the scheme terms.
Are the county price ceilings permanent?+
No. The First Home Scheme reviews its ceilings and may change them. Always confirm the current table for the local authority area and property type before making a decision.