Saving a deposit is the hardest part of buying a first home — and the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme exists to take a big chunk out of it. It gives first-time buyers in Ireland a tax rebate of up to €30,000 toward the deposit on a new home, using income tax and DIRT you've already paid over the previous four years. Paired with the First Home Scheme, it can turn an impossible deposit into a real one.
Quick facts
- Worth
- Up to €30,000 toward your deposit
- Who
- First-time buyers of a new-build home (or a self-build)
- How
- A rebate of income tax & DIRT you paid over the last 4 years
- Cap
- The lowest of: €30,000 · 10% of the price · the tax you paid
- Where
- Apply through Revenue myAccount / ROS
Do you qualify?
- You're a first-time buyer (and if buying with someone, they must be too).
- You're buying or building a new home to live in as your main residence — HTB doesn't apply to second-hand homes.
- You take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the purchase price (or approved valuation for a self-build).
- You're tax-compliant for the years you're claiming.
- The new home must be valued at €500,000 or less.
How much you'll get
The rebate is the lowest of three figures:
- €30,000, or
- 10% of the purchase price (or approved valuation for a self-build), or
- the total income tax and DIRT you paid over the four years before your claim.
So the more tax you've paid in recent years, the more you can get back — up to the cap. It comes off your deposit, not your mortgage.
How to apply — step by step
Apply early (the "application" stage)
Log in to Revenue myAccount (or ROS if self-assessed) and complete the Help to Buy application. You'll get a summary and an application number.
Get your maximum figure
Revenue tells you the maximum rebate you qualify for based on the tax you've paid — useful to know before you sign anything.
Claim once you've signed
When you sign a contract (or draw down the first part of a self-build mortgage), move to the "claim" stage and enter the property details.
Your developer/solicitor verifies it
A qualifying contractor (or your solicitor for a self-build) verifies the claim. The rebate is then paid toward your deposit.
Check the First Home Scheme too
If there's still a gap, see whether the First Home Scheme can help — many buyers use both together.
Common questions
Can I use Help to Buy for a second-hand home?
How is the amount worked out?
Is Help to Buy still available in 2026?
Can I use it with the First Home Scheme?
Do I need a certain mortgage size?
Check the official sources
This guide is general information, not financial or tax advice. Scheme rules, caps and end dates change — always confirm the current details on Revenue.ie before you act.
Keep going
Buying or doing up a home? Check every grant
Help to Buy is one of several home supports. See what else you could claim in 60 seconds, free.
Check What You're Owed →