First Home Scheme in Ireland — Equity Share for New Builds, Eligibility, and the Catch
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First Home Scheme: equity share with the State for the deposit gap. 70%/30% shared equity for the difference between mortgage and price.
First Home Scheme: equity share with the State for the deposit gap. 70%/30% shared equity for the difference between the mortgage and the price. Available for new builds (including self-builds) up to €500,000 in the Rest of the State, up to €475,000 in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme. Income cap €75k single / €85k joint. You pay back the equity share (30% of the funded amount, or 30% of the property value at sale, whichever is lower) when you sell, refinance, or at the end of 30 years. The scheme is designed to bridge the gap between the deposit you have and the price of the new build. It's not a grant — it's shared equity.
When this matters most
You're applying for the First Home Scheme.
When this doesn't apply
The scheme has paid out.
Sources
Government of Ireland, First Home Scheme. https://www.firsthomescheme.ie/
Frequently asked questions
What is the First Home Scheme?
An equity-share scheme with the State. 70%/30% shared equity for the difference between the mortgage and the price. Pay back the equity share (30% of the funded amount or 30% of the property value) on sale, refinance, or after 30 years.
Is the First Home Scheme a grant?
No. It's shared equity. You pay back the equity share on sale, refinance, or after 30 years. 30% of the funded amount or 30% of the property value, whichever is lower.
Can I use the First Home Scheme for a self-build?
Yes, if the self-build is a new build and the price is under €500,000. Income cap €75k single / €85k joint. Apply via the scheme portal.
When this matters most
You're applying for the First Home Scheme.
When this doesn't apply
The scheme has paid out.
Where to go next
Next decision
The next step in your build sequence.
- Contingency Budget for a Self-Build in Ireland — Why 10% Is the Minimum and 15% Is Safer →
- Self-Build Mortgage Step by Step in Ireland — Application to Final Drawdown →
- Stage Payment Triggers in a Self-Build — What Each Drawdown Requires →
- VAT on a Self-Build in Ireland — 13.5% Labour, 23% Materials, and the Sole Trader Route →
Branch into
Adjacent decisions at the same stage.
- Help-to-Build in Ireland 2026 — €30,000 Toward the Deposit, Income Caps, and How to Apply →
- Mortgage Interest During Build in Ireland — How It Works, What It Costs, and the Trap →
- Quantity Surveyor for a Self-Build in Ireland — When to Hire One and What It Saves →
- Self-Build Cashflow in Ireland — How the Money Flows Month by Month →
Watch out for
Common mistakes, hidden costs, gotchas.
- Grants for Self-Build in Ireland 2026 — SEAI, Help-to-Build, and the Eligibility Trap →
- Hidden Costs of a Self-Build in Ireland — The 12 That Catch First-Timers →
- Mortgage Interest During Build in Ireland — How It Works, What It Costs, and the Trap →
- Self-Build Cost per m² in Ireland 2026 — Total Project Cost and the Line Items →
- Single-Storey vs Two-Storey Cost in Ireland — Which Is Cheaper, Which Is More Cost-Efficient →
Compare with
Alternative approaches worth knowing.