How much can a first-time buyer afford?
Start with the regulatory borrowing ceiling, then work backwards from the cash you actually have and a monthly payment you can live with.
Page checked: 21 October 2026
The key point
Start with the regulatory borrowing ceiling, then work backwards from the cash you actually have and a monthly payment you can live with.
The ceiling is not the budget
The Central Bank's 4× gross-income LTI limit is a regulatory ceiling for standard first-time-buyer lending, not a guarantee that a lender will offer that amount.
How to use the first-time buyer calculator
Start with your gross household income, available deposit and an estimated purchase price. Then allow for buying costs and test the resulting mortgage repayment over more than one term. This helps separate the amount you might technically borrow from the price you would actually feel comfortable paying.
For current Irish mortgage rules, check the Central Bank mortgage measures. A lender's own affordability assessment can still produce a different result.
Don't forget the cash needed to complete
Your deposit is only part of the upfront budget. Allow for stamp duty and other purchase costs, plus a sensible cash reserve. The first-time buyer costs guide explains the main categories.
Keep checking the numbers
Use the calculators for your own balance, rate, term and affordability.
Open the calculators →Sources & important note
Information is for general information only. Mortgage rules, rates, lender criteria and costs can change. Always confirm the current position with the relevant lender or official source before making a financial decision.
Use the calculator in the right order
- Estimate the mortgage using your gross household income and buyer status.
- Check your available deposit against the property's price and the applicable LTV rules.
- Set aside money for stamp duty, legal work, valuation and other buying costs.
- Calculate the monthly mortgage payment at more than one interest rate.
- Compare the payment with your normal household budget.
This sequence helps avoid the common mistake of treating the maximum mortgage as the same thing as the maximum sensible house price.
Example: €300,000 property
With a standard 90% LTV, a €300,000 owner-occupier purchase would imply a €270,000 mortgage and a €30,000 deposit before purchase costs. Whether a lender would actually offer €270,000 depends on income, affordability and the rest of the application.
Use the first-time buyer costs guide to build the rest of the cash requirement.