Government Backed Equity Scheme
Find out how much FHS equity share you could receive — and whether you're eligible.
30%
Maximum FHS share
Up to 30%
Combined max (FHS + HTB)
Varies by county
Max property price
New builds only
Property type
None for first 5 years
Equity charge
State + lenders
Who funds it
The First Home Scheme is an equity share scheme — not a loan. The State and participating banks buy a percentage share of your new home. You buy as much as you can afford with your deposit and mortgage, and FHS tops up the rest.
You live in the home as if you own it fully. You can buy back the FHS share at any time at current market value. There's no equity charge for the first 5 years; from year 6 a small annual charge applies.
| County | Max price — house | Max price — apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | €500,000 | €500,000 |
| Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford | €400,000 | €400,000 |
| Kildare, Meath, Wicklow | €400,000 | €400,000 |
| All other counties | €350,000 | €350,000 |
FHS + HTB together
You can use both schemes at the same time. HTB gives up to €30,000 cash toward your deposit; FHS covers the remaining affordability gap up to 30% combined. For example, on a €400,000 new build: €30,000 HTB + €90,000 FHS share = €120,000 — meaning you may need a €40,000 deposit and a €240,000 mortgage.
Warning: If you do not keep up your repayments you may lose your home.
Warning: Your interest rate may increase, and the amount of your mortgage repayments may increase as a result.
Warning: You may have to pay charges if you pay off a fixed-rate loan early.
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