Check mortgage affordability
Use the Mortgage Affordability Calculator to estimate income-based borrowing power, deposit limits, and repayment pressure.
Quick answer
- Principal home buyers generally need at least a 10% deposit.
- Buy-to-let buyers generally need a larger deposit because the LTV limit is lower.
- Deposit is not the only upfront cost; stamp duty and legal costs still matter.
- Help to Buy and First Home Scheme may support eligible first-time buyers, but rules apply.
On this page
Simple deposit examples
| Property price | 10% deposit example | Mortgage at 90% LTV |
|---|---|---|
| €250,000 | €25,000 | €225,000 |
| €300,000 | €30,000 | €270,000 |
| €350,000 | €35,000 | €315,000 |
| €400,000 | €40,000 | €360,000 |
| €500,000 | €50,000 | €450,000 |
Deposit vs total cash needed
Your deposit is only one part of the cash needed to buy a home. Buyers also need to budget for stamp duty, solicitor costs, valuation, survey, insurance and moving costs. A buyer with exactly 10% saved may still need more cash before completion.
Deposit and Help to Buy
Eligible first-time buyers buying or building a qualifying new home may be able to use Help to Buy support toward the deposit, subject to Revenue rules and caps. This does not apply to all homes or buyers.
Deposit and mortgage repayments
A bigger deposit reduces the mortgage amount. A lower mortgage amount normally reduces the monthly repayment and total interest, assuming the rate and term stay the same.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10% deposit enough in Ireland?
For many principal home mortgages, 10% is the standard minimum deposit example, but lender and borrower type matter.
Do first-time buyers need 10% deposit?
Generally yes for a principal home, though eligible supports may help with the deposit on qualifying purchases.
Do buy-to-let buyers need more deposit?
Yes. Buy-to-let mortgages generally have a lower LTV limit, so the deposit requirement is higher.
Does Help to Buy count as deposit?
For qualifying purchases, Help to Buy can support the deposit, subject to Revenue rules.
Should I save more than the minimum deposit?
Often yes, because you may need cash for stamp duty, legal fees, valuation, survey and moving costs.
Is this guide tax advice?
No. It is general information for planning. Use official guidance or a tax adviser for your own situation.
Can I use the calculator for filing?
Use it as an estimate only. Complex activity such as DeFi, staking, mining, business trading, or many swaps may need specialist software or advice.
Sources & references
Key takeaways
- Deposit affects both property budget and mortgage amount.
- Minimum deposit is not the same as total cash needed.
- Help to Buy may help eligible first-time buyers.
- A larger deposit can reduce repayments and total interest.