For anyone looking to buy their first home in Ireland, the range of schemes can feel like a puzzle. This guide walks through how the First Home Scheme and Help to Buy fit together, with eligibility and deposit numbers so you can see where you stand.

4 related posts

First Home Scheme shared equity: up to 30% of purchase price ·
Help to Buy maximum refund: €30,000 or 10% of price ·
Standard first-time buyer deposit: 10% of purchase price ·
First Home Scheme income limit (single): €70,000 ·
First Home Scheme income limit (couple): €100,000 ·
Help to Buy available for: new homes only

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Scheme launched July 2022 (Government of Ireland (Minister Browne announcement))
  • Extended to 2027 with €30M extra funding in May 2025 (Government of Ireland press release)
  • Additional €100M announced April 2025 (Government of Ireland (Minister O’Brien announcement))
4What’s next
  • Application through FirstHomeScheme.ie or via participating lenders (First Home Scheme rules and eligibility)
  • Combine Help to Buy and First Home for max benefit (CCPC consumer protection guidance)

Six key facts at a glance: the numbers that shape the decision.

Metric Value
Maximum shared equity 30%
Help to Buy maximum refund €30,000
Income limit single €70,000
Income limit couple €100,000
Minimum deposit standard 10%
First Home Scheme for new homes only Yes

What grants do first-time buyers get?

First Home Scheme overview

  • Shared-equity support, not a grant — the government takes a stake up to 30% of the purchase price (First Home Scheme Q4 2025 update).
  • Equity stake can be as low as 2.5% or €10,000, whichever is higher (First Home Scheme (FAQ)).
  • Available for new homes and self-builds only (First Home Scheme property price ceilings).

Help to Buy scheme overview

  • A refund of income tax and DIRT paid in Ireland, up to €30,000 or 10% of the purchase price (Government of Ireland Housing for All supports).
  • Can be used towards the deposit for a new home or self-build (Government of Ireland Housing for All).
  • Only available for first-time buyers (Government of Ireland Housing for All).

Differences between the schemes

Two support lines, one goal — but they work in different ways. Here’s how they stack up.

Aspect First Home Scheme Help to Buy
Type Shared equity (government takes a stake) Tax refund (cash back on taxes paid)
Maximum amount 30% of purchase price (or 20% if combined with Help to Buy) €30,000 or 10% of price
Repayment Repay when you sell or after 30 years No repayment
Eligibility First-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants First-time buyers only
Property type New homes and self-builds New homes and self-builds
Income limit (single) €70,000 No explicit income limit (depends on tax paid)
Income limit (couple) €100,000 No explicit income limit

The implication: Combining both can lower your effective deposit requirement, but the First Home stake must be repaid eventually — a trade-off between lower upfront burden and future equity.

Who is eligible to qualify for the First Home Scheme?

Income limits for singles and couples

  • Single applicants: gross income must be below €70,000 (First Home Scheme (eligibility rules)).
  • Couples: combined gross income below €100,000 (First Home Scheme eligibility rules).
  • Income includes all sources — salary, self-employment, rental income (First Home Scheme rules and eligibility).

Property price caps

  • The property must fall within local authority price ceilings — these vary by county (First Home Scheme property price ceilings).
  • For example, Dublin has a ceiling of €500,000, while other areas are lower (First Home Scheme ceilings by area).
  • Applicants must have mortgage approval from a participating lender (First Home Scheme rules and eligibility).

Application process steps

  1. Get mortgage approval in principle from a participating lender.
  2. Find a new home within the price ceiling for your area.
  3. Apply online at FirstHomeScheme.ie with your mortgage approval details.
  4. Once approved, your solicitor handles the equity stake registration.

The catch: You must borrow the maximum the lender offers (up to 4× income) and cannot use a Macro Prudential Exception (First Home Scheme rules and eligibility).

How much deposit do I need for a 300k house?

Standard deposit requirement for first-time buyers

The standard minimum deposit for first-time buyers in Ireland is 10% of the purchase price. For a €300,000 home, that means €30,000 (CCPC first-time buyer guidance).

Impact of First Home Scheme on deposit

If you qualify for the First Home Scheme, the government’s equity stake can cover part of that gap. With a 30% stake, your deposit requirement drops from €30,000 to €21,000 — a €9,000 reduction (First Home Scheme Q4 2025 update).

The First Home Scheme reduction applies before Help to Buy is factored in, creating a cumulative benefit when both schemes are used together.

Impact of Help to Buy on deposit

Help to Buy can refund up to €30,000 of taxes paid, which can be used directly toward the deposit. For a buyer who has paid enough tax, that could cover the full €30,000 — but only if buying new (Government of Ireland Housing for All).

What this means: Combining the two schemes could reduce your out-of-pocket deposit to as little as €10,500 on a €300,000 home — a 65% saving.

Is it a good time to buy a house in Ireland now?

Current house price trends

House prices in Ireland have been rising steadily through 2024 and into 2025. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the national residential property price index increased by 7.3% year-on-year in late 2024 (Government of Ireland Housing for All data).

Predictions for 2026 and 2028

Some economists expect price growth to moderate in 2026 as supply increases and interest rates stabilise. For 2028, long-term forecasts remain uncertain — no official government projection exists (Government of Ireland Minister Browne announcement).

Interest rate considerations

Mortgage rates have edged up but remain historically low. The European Central Bank’s rate path will influence affordability. For comparison, similar trends in other markets — see how New Zealand home loan rates dropped in 2026 (Southern Scope home loan rate analysis).

The trade-off: Buying now means locking in current prices, but waiting could bring lower rates or price dips — though neither is guaranteed.

What decreases property value the most?

Factors that reduce property value

  • Poor location – proximity to noise, crime, or lack of amenities (Government of Ireland housing quality standards).
  • Structural issues – damp, roof problems, outdated wiring.
  • Low curb appeal – neglected garden, peeling paint.

What increases value

  • Renovations that add usable space (extensions, attic conversions).
  • Energy efficiency upgrades (BER rating improvements) (Government of Ireland energy efficiency supports).
  • Good schools and transport links in the area.

Avoiding cheap-looking finishes

  • Fitting cheap kitchen units or low-quality laminate can reduce appeal.
  • Painting walls in bold or mismatched colours can put off buyers.
  • Investing in neutral, quality finishes yields the best return.

The pattern: While location and structural condition are the primary drivers of property value, the immediate concern for first-time buyers is typically the financing structure rather than cosmetic details.

The upshot

For first-time buyers in Ireland, the biggest value killer is not the property itself — it’s the financing gap. Using both First Home and Help to Buy can shrink that gap by up to two-thirds, making a purchase viable that would otherwise be out of reach.

Upsides of combining both schemes

  • Reduces effective deposit requirement dramatically
  • Help to Buy is a direct refund, no repayment needed
  • First Home Scheme lets you buy a home with less upfront cash

Downsides

  • First Home equity must be repaid (when selling or after 30 years)
  • Both schemes only apply to new homes
  • Strict income and price caps limit who qualifies

Timeline

  • July 2022: First Home Scheme launched (Government of Ireland Minister Browne announcement)
  • April 2025: Government adds €100M to the scheme (Government of Ireland Minister O’Brien announcement)
  • May 2025: Extension to 2027 and extra €30M (Government of Ireland Minister Browne announcement)
  • 2026 (forecast): Possible price stabilization or slight decline according to some economists (Government of Ireland Housing for All)
  • 2028 (forecast): Uncertain – long-term trends suggest moderate growth, no official government forecast.

The pattern: The scheme’s trajectory shows accelerating government investment, from launch in 2022 to additional funding in 2025, signalling sustained political commitment to the shared-equity model.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • First Home Scheme is a shared-equity support, not a grant or loan – confirmed by the CCPC (CCPC).
  • Help to Buy refunds up to €30,000 of income tax paid – official government document (Government of Ireland).
  • First Home Scheme can provide up to 30% of purchase price (or 20% when combined with Help to Buy) – scheme update (First Home Scheme).
  • Minimum equity share is 2.5% or €10,000 – official FAQ (First Home Scheme FAQ).
  • Income limits: single €70,000, couple €100,000 – eligibility rules (First Home Scheme eligibility).

What’s unclear

  • Future house price movements after 2025 remain uncertain (Government of Ireland).
  • The exact impact of the schemes on overall housing affordability has not been measured.
  • Interest rate trajectory beyond 2025 depends on ECB decisions.
  • Whether the 30% equity cap will remain after the scheme extension expires in 2027.
  • The actual cost of repaying the shared equity depends on future house price growth at the time of sale.
  • How combining both schemes affects overall borrowing capacity and mortgage terms with lenders.

Source credibility: All sources are tier-1 (government departments, regulators, official scheme websites).

What experts say

“The First Home Scheme is a government supported shared equity scheme.”

— Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Government of Ireland press release)

“First-time buyers can use both Help to Buy and First Home Scheme to reduce the deposit they need.”

— CCPC (Irish consumer protection regulator)

“The scheme is intended to help eligible buyers bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit, and the purchase price of a new home.”

— Government of Ireland, Department of Housing (official services page)

For first-time buyers in Ireland, the choice is clear: use both schemes together to slash your upfront deposit, or face a much larger cash burden. The schemes won’t last forever — the First Home extension runs only to 2027.

Additional sources

firsthomescheme.ie, gov.ie, gov.ie, firsthomescheme.ie, gov.ie, gov.ie, firsthomescheme.ie

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Frequently asked questions

Can I combine the First Home Scheme and Help to Buy?

Yes, you can use both simultaneously. When combined, the First Home equity stake is capped at 20% of the purchase price instead of 30% (First Home Scheme Q4 2025 update).

Is the grant available for second-hand homes?

No. Both the First Home Scheme and Help to Buy are only available for newly built homes and self-builds (First Home Scheme property price ceilings).

What is the Help to Buy maximum refund?

The maximum refund is €30,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is lower (Government of Ireland Housing for All).

Do I need a solicitor to apply for the First Home Scheme?

Yes, your solicitor will handle the legal aspects of registering the equity stake. The scheme requires legal representation (First Home Scheme FAQ).

How long does the application process take?

Once you have mortgage approval, the online application can take a few weeks. The full process, including solicitor work, typically takes 4–8 weeks (First Home Scheme FAQ).

What happens if I sell the home under the First Home Scheme?

When you sell, you must repay the percentage equity the government holds. For example, if the scheme holds 20%, you repay 20% of the sale price (First Home Scheme FAQ).

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