What is the Help to Buy scheme and how much can I get?
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Short answer
Help to Buy is a tax refund for first-time buyers of new or self-build homes. It returns 10% of the purchase price up to €30,000, capped at the income tax and DIRT you have paid over the previous four years, on homes costing €500,000 or less. It is paid to your builder towards the deposit, and the scheme runs to the end of 2029.
How much
The refund is the lowest of three figures: 10% of the purchase price (or the completion value of a self-build), €30,000, or the income tax and DIRT you have actually paid in the previous four years. On a €300,000 home that can mean up to €30,000, effectively covering the deposit; on a €200,000 home the cap is 10%, so €20,000.
What qualifies
- A new build or self-build, valued at €500,000 or less, used as your main home. Not a second-hand home and not an investment property.
- You and any partner must be first-time buyers who have never owned a home in Ireland or abroad.
- A mortgage of at least 70% of the value.
- Tax compliance for the previous four years.
- Living in the home for at least five years. Move out earlier and some or all of the refund may be clawed back.
The €500,000 price cap limits the options in some areas, Dublin in particular.
How to claim
- Check your eligibility on the Revenue website.
- Apply online through myAccount or ROS.
- Your developer must be registered with Revenue for the scheme.
- Submit the claim once the purchase is at contract or drawdown stage.
Revenue pays the refund to the builder, and the deposit code is given to the contractor before the completion notice arrives. In the contract, your deposit is 10% of the price less the booking deposit already paid and less the Help to Buy amount.
Using it with the First Home Scheme
The two can be combined. If you also use Help to Buy, the First Home Scheme’s maximum equity share falls from 30% of the price to 20%.
How long it runs
The enhanced relief runs to 31 December 2029, with a Government commitment to extend it to 2030.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies?
First-time buyers who have never owned a home here or abroad (that applies to you and any partner), buying a new build or self-build worth €500,000 or less as your main home, with a mortgage of at least 70% of the value, fully tax-compliant for the previous four years, and intending to live in the home for at least five years.
How is the refund paid?
Revenue pays it to your builder for a new build, or to your lender for a self-build. It is not paid to you, and it counts towards your deposit: the contract deposit is 10% of the price less the booking deposit and the Help to Buy amount.
What if I move out within five years?
Some or all of the refund may have to be repaid. Anyone buying a home that was bought with Help to Buy checks for a clawback registered against the property.