How much mortgage could €120k salary support?
At higher incomes, the Central Bank income multiple gives a useful starting ceiling, but lender affordability and the property's LTV still matter.
Page checked: 21 October 2026
The key point
At higher incomes, the Central Bank income multiple gives a useful starting ceiling, but lender affordability and the property's LTV still matter.
An example, not a promise
For a first-time buyer, 4× gross income gives a standard regulatory ceiling of €480,000; for a second/subsequent buyer, 3.5× gives €420,000, subject to the framework and lender assessment.
What a €120,000 salary means for borrowing
A higher gross salary can support a larger indicative mortgage, but the result still depends on the buyer's circumstances and the applicable Irish mortgage measures. First-time buyers and subsequent buyers can have different loan-to-income limits, and lender affordability criteria still apply.
Do not treat the maximum indicative loan as a recommended house price. The deposit, purchase costs and monthly repayment all need to fit the household budget.
Check the repayment, not just the loan
Run a few combinations of term and interest rate using the repayment guide. Then use the mortgage stress test to see how much the payment changes if the rate rises.
Keep checking the numbers
Use the calculators for your own balance, rate, term and affordability.
Open the calculators →Sources & important note
- Central Bank — Mortgage measures · Central Bank — retail interest rates (August 2026) · Revenue — residential stamp duty rates
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.
What would the mortgage actually cost each month?
The income multiple is only one part of the picture. To make the borrowing figure more useful, here is an illustrative repayment comparison using the Central Bank of Ireland's latest published weighted-average rate of 3.53% for new Irish mortgage agreements in August 2026. This is a market benchmark, not a rate offer or a prediction of the rate a lender will give you. Check current lender offers before making decisions. This is an example only: your lender may offer a different rate and your actual repayment will depend on the mortgage amount, term and rate.
| Term | 4× income: €480,000 | 3.5× income: €420,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 years | €2,791 | €2,442 |
| 25 years | €2,411 | €2,109 |
| 30 years | €2,163 | €1,893 |
| 35 years | €1,992 | €1,743 |
Repayments are calculated on a standard capital-and-interest mortgage and exclude insurance, property tax, fees and other ownership costs.
How much property could that mortgage support?
If a standard 90% loan-to-value limit applies and you had exactly a 10% deposit, a €480,000 mortgage would correspond to a property price of roughly €533,333. A €420,000 mortgage would correspond to roughly €466,667.
That is not a recommendation or a maximum property price. A buyer with a larger deposit could purchase a more expensive property while borrowing the same amount, and purchase costs such as stamp duty and legal fees need to be funded separately.
What could change the result?
Your income multiple does not capture everything a lender considers. Existing loans, credit commitments, regular spending, dependants, employment type, savings history and the lender's affordability assessment can reduce the amount available. Some lending can be above the standard Central Bank limits, but that depends on lender availability and is never guaranteed.
If this salary page gives you a rough ceiling, the next step is to compare it with your actual monthly budget using the mortgage affordability calculator and then test the repayment on the mortgage repayments guide.