First Home Scheme Calculator

Q: How much can I get from the First Home Scheme?

The First Home Scheme can provide up to 30% of the price of a new home in exchange for an equity share — reduced to 20% if you're also using the Help to Buy scheme. It bridges the gap between your deposit plus maximum mortgage and the price of the home, subject to local-authority price ceilings.

Q: What does the First Home Scheme cost?

Nothing for the first 5 years. From year 6 an annual service charge applies to the original equity amount: 1.75% in years 6–15, 2.15% in years 16–29, and 2.85% from year 30. Separately, buying out the equity later costs the same percentage of your home's market value at that time — so if prices rise, the buyout cost rises too.

Q: Can I combine the First Home Scheme with Help to Buy?

Yes. Many first-time buyers use both. Using Help to Buy reduces the maximum First Home Scheme equity share from 30% to 20% of the property price.

See how much state equity could bridge the gap between what you can borrow and the price of a new home — and what it costs from year 6.

New home price

€150k€600k

Your deposit

Must be at least 10% of the price

Gross annual income

Combined if applying jointly (max mortgage ≈ 4× this)

Also using Help to Buy?

Yes — include my HTB refund

Please enter valid positive numbers.

Two things people miss: the equity share is a percentage of your home's future market value, not a fixed euro debt — if prices rise, buying it out costs more. And local-authority price ceilings apply (roughly €325,000–€500,000 depending on county) — check yours at firsthomescheme.ie.

How the First Home Scheme works

The First Home Scheme (FHS) is a shared-equity scheme backed by the State and the main Irish lenders. If your deposit plus the maximum mortgage you can get still doesn't reach the price of a new home, the scheme can bridge the gap — up to 30% of the price, or 20% if you're also using Help to Buy. In return, the scheme owns that percentage of your home until you buy it back.

There's no charge for the first five years. From year 6, an annual service charge applies to the original equity amount: 1.75% in years 6–15, 2.15% in years 16–29, and 2.85% from year 30. The service charge is not a repayment — buying out the equity is separate, and costs the scheme's percentage of your home's market value at the time you buy it out.

Worked example

A couple earning €90,000 combined with a €40,000 deposit wants a €450,000 new build. Their maximum mortgage at 4× income is €360,000, so deposit + mortgage = €400,000 — a €50,000 gap. That's 11% of the price, comfortably inside the 30% cap, so the FHS could bridge it fully. From year 6 they'd pay a service charge of €875/year (1.75% of €50,000) until they buy the equity out.

Buying a new build under €500,000? Check the Help to Buy calculator first — the HTB refund shrinks the gap the FHS needs to cover (and boosts your deposit), though it caps the FHS share at 20%.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I get from the First Home Scheme?

Up to 30% of the price of a new home (20% if combined with Help to Buy), subject to local-authority price ceilings. The scheme bridges the gap after your deposit and maximum mortgage.

What does the First Home Scheme cost?

Nothing for 5 years. From year 6: 1.75%/year of the original equity amount, rising to 2.15% (years 16–29) and 2.85% (year 30+). Buying out the equity costs the scheme's percentage of your home's market value at that time.

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

Yes — many first-time buyers use both. Doing so reduces the maximum FHS equity share from 30% to 20% of the price.

Rules as reviewed July 2026. This calculator assumes a maximum mortgage of 4× gross income (the standard first-time buyer limit) and does not check local-authority price ceilings or lender participation. Verify your eligibility at firsthomescheme.ie. This is not financial advice.