Getting a mortgage in Ireland: a complete guide for UK buyers

With its strong economy, beautiful landscapes, and excellent quality of life, Ireland has a lot to offer. For UK residents looking to buy property across the Irish Sea, however, navigating the mortgage process may seem unfamiliar.

The good news is that UK citizens enjoy certain advantages thanks to the Common Travel Area, which can make securing a mortgage easier. The less good news is that for those not already living in Ireland, the process is more complicated.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about getting a mortgage in Ireland from the UK. We’ll explain mortgage types, interest rates, eligibility criteria, and more.

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Can foreigners get a mortgage in Ireland?

Yes. There's no legal restriction on foreigners buying property or getting a mortgage in Ireland. Whether you're an Irish citizen returning home, a UK national relocating for work, or someone retiring in Ireland, you're entitled to purchase property.¹

That said, your experience will vary significantly depending on whether you're already living in Ireland or applying from abroad. If you've moved there, whether to work, study, or start a business, you'll have access to the same mortgage products as Irish citizens. It's much more difficult if you're still based in the UK.¹

Some Irish banks offer non-resident mortgages, but they're harder to find and come with stricter requirements. You'll generally need a higher income (ideally paid in EUR), a larger deposit, and a provable connection to Ireland.¹

Getting a mortgage in Ireland from the UK after Brexit

Brexit has had minimal impact on UK citizens' ability to get a mortgage in Ireland. Both countries are part of the Common Travel Area (CTA), which means UK nationals can live and work in Ireland without needing a visa or residence permit.¹

If you're a UK citizen living in Ireland, you'll have the same rights to apply for a mortgage as an Irish citizen. However, if you're still permanently based in the UK, you may find it harder to secure a non-resident mortgage, regardless of your nationality.¹

Mortgage eligibility criteria for UK citizens in Ireland

Requirements vary between lenders, but here's a general picture of what you might need for a non-resident mortgage in Ireland as a UK national:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a salary of around €75,000 or above
• Be in stable employment (self-employed applicants may face additional hurdles)
• Have a clean credit history²
• Hold both home insurance and life insurance³

For residents of Ireland, the eligibility threshold is generally lower, making the process considerably easier.

Is it difficult to get a mortgage in Ireland?

If you meet the criteria and you're living in Ireland, the process is relatively straightforward. However, you should expect plenty of paperwork and detailed questions about your income and spending habits.

Irish lenders are known for being conservative. They'll typically carry out a mortgage stress test, reviewing 6 months of bank statements to assess whether you can comfortably afford repayments even if your circumstances change.²

For non-residents, the process can be more complicated, as you may need to provide additional documentation. Working with an international mortgage broker could help you navigate these hurdles.

How much deposit do you need for a mortgage in Ireland?

The Central Bank of Ireland sets rules on how much you can borrow and how much deposit you need. These are the current limits:

Lenders tend to have some flexibility. They can exceed these limits for up to 15% of first-time buyer and second/subsequent buyer lending, and 10% of buy-to-let lending.⁴

Can you get a 100% mortgage in Ireland?

No, 100% mortgages aren’t available in Ireland. The Central Bank requires all buyers to put down a minimum deposit. There are no 100% mortgage products available in Ireland.⁴

If you're a non-resident, individual lenders may require a deposit well above the Central Bank minimums.

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Step-by-step guide to applying for an Irish mortgage as a foreigner

Here's what the process typically looks like:

1. Research your options. Use a broker or the CCPC's mortgage comparison tool to explore what's available.
2. Open a savings account to save a deposit and improve your savings record.
3. Get approval in principle (AIP). Submit your documents and the lender will confirm in principle how much they're willing to lend. You may need to show this to estate agents when viewing properties.
4. Find a solicitor to help with the conveyancing when you choose a property.
5. Decide on a property within your budget and agree on a purchase price with the seller.
6. Submit a full mortgage application with all supporting documents.
7. Arrange mortgage protection insurance. This is nearly always mandatory in Ireland.
8. The lender verifies your information and may carry out a property valuation (there's usually a fee for this).
9. Receive a formal mortgage offer if your application is successful.
10. Review the terms carefully before accepting.⁵

Once accepted, you can get on with buying your property in Ireland.

Documents you'll need as a non-resident

The exact list varies by lender, but you're likely to need:

• Proof of identity, such as your UK passport
• Proof of address, a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last six months
• Proof of income, salary certificate, two recent payslips or the last six months of bank statements
• Statement of taxes
• PPSN (Personal Public Service Number), required for paying stamp duty. Accepted proof of PPSN includes recent Employment Detail Summary, your payslip and tax assessment²

How long does it take to get a mortgage in Ireland?

Getting approval in principle usually takes around 10 working days.⁶ The full process, from AIP to receiving a formal mortgage offer, can take a few months to a year, depending on the lender and the complexity of your application.⁷

Fees, taxes and costs when buying property in Ireland

Beyond the property price itself, there are several costs to budget for.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty in Ireland applies to all property purchases, including those by non-residents. The rates are the same regardless of your residency status:

So for a property worth €400,000, you'd pay €4,000 in stamp duty.

Other fees and costs

Here are some other costs you should consider:

Another thing to note is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert your British pounds to euros in Ireland.

Consider checking out the Wise account to handle your international transfers with mid-market exchange rates and transparent fees.

Irish banks and lenders offering mortgages to foreigners

If you're a legal resident of Ireland, you'll have access to the full range of mortgage products from banks like AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB.

For non-residents, the options are more limited. Permanent TSB is one lender known to offer buy-to-let mortgages to non-residents. For residential mortgages as a non-resident, you can contact lenders directly to find out what they can offer, or work with a broker who specialises in international mortgages.²

Mortgage rates in Ireland

Irish mortgage rates have been falling in line with ECB rate cuts. As of December 2025, the median interest rate on bank-held mortgages was 3.44%. By comparison, non-lending non-banks had a lower median rate of 3.30%, while lending non-banks recorded a slightly higher median rate of 3.65%.⁹

The rate you're offered will depend on your circumstances, including your deposit size, income, the type of mortgage, and whether you choose a fixed or variable rate. Always check the latest rates when you're ready to apply.

Buy-to-let mortgages in Ireland

Several Irish banks offer buy-to-let mortgages, including Permanent TSB.² The Central Bank requires a minimum 30% deposit for BTL purchases, and interest rates for non-residents might be higher than for residents.⁴

BTL mortgages are generally harder to secure than residential ones, with stricter affordability checks and sometimes a cap on the property value you can apply for.

Remortgaging in Ireland

Once you own property in Ireland, you can remortgage, whether to get a better rate after a fixed term ends, or to release equity for another purchase. The same affordability checks apply, so make sure you're not overstretching yourself.

Can you get a UK mortgage to buy property in Ireland?

It may be possible to get an overseas mortgage from a UK lender to finance an Irish property purchase, but most mainstream UK banks don't offer this. You'd need to look at specialist lenders or international mortgage brokers.

Another option is remortgaging an existing UK property to release equity for your Irish purchase. This could work if you have enough equity, but you should only consider it if you can comfortably afford the repayments. Professional financial advice is strongly recommended.

Do UK banks offer overseas mortgages?

Most high-street UK banks don't offer mortgages for properties in Ireland. A small number of specialist lenders and private banks may consider overseas mortgage applications, but the terms are often less favourable.

If you go down this route, keep in mind the currency risk. Your mortgage payments would be in GBP, but the property value and rental income (if applicable) would be in EUR. Exchange rate fluctuations could affect your costs significantly.

Types of mortgages in Ireland

Let’s go through the most common mortgage types in Ireland:

Tips for getting a mortgage in Ireland as a non-resident

• Build a financial footprint in Ireland — consider opening an Irish bank account before applying
• Save a larger deposit than the minimum — this strengthens your application significantly
• Get professional advice — an international mortgage broker can help you find lenders who work with non-residents
• Have all documentation ready — including translations and certifications where needed
• Consider timing — if you're planning to move to Ireland, applying after you've relocated could open up more options

Key takeaways

• UK citizens benefit from the Common Travel Area, allowing them to live and work in Ireland without a visa, which simplifies the mortgage process if they are already resident in the country.
• The Central Bank of Ireland enforces strict lending limits; first-time buyers generally need a 10% deposit and can borrow up to 4 times their gross income, while non-residents often face much stricter criteria.
• Lenders are historically conservative and perform a mortgage stress test, typically requiring six months of bank statements to ensure you can afford repayments if interest rates rise.
• Beyond the property price, buyers must budget for Stamp Duty, which is charged at 1% on the first €1 million of the property's value and increases for more expensive homes.
• The application process typically takes several months, and Mortgage Protection Insurance is a mandatory legal requirement in Ireland before a loan can be finalized.

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Sources used:

1. Online Mortgage Advisor - How to get a mortgage in Ireland
2. PTSB - Mortgage application documents
3. PTSB - Mortgage regulatory information
4. Central Bank of Ireland - Mortgage measures
5. CCPC - Buying a home step-by-step guide
6. AIB - How long will it take for my loan application to be assessed?
7. Citizens Information - Taking out a mortgage
8. Citizens Information - Stamp duty on property
9. Central Bank of Ireland - Frontier Statistics: Mortgage Interest Rate Distributions (December 2025)

Sources last checked on date: 18-Mar-2026.