Property in Ireland: buying and support
Dublin and the counties: no ownership restrictions for foreigners, but supply is tight and mortgage lending is tightly regulated.
Why Ireland
No ownership restrictions
There are no restrictions on property ownership by nationality or residency — foreigners, including non-residents, buy on the same terms as anyone else.
An English-speaking common-law jurisdiction
A common-law legal system in English, familiar to an international buyer.
Dublin drives steady demand
Dublin, as a hub for international tech and finance companies, generates steady rental demand.
Honestly, about the deal: a solicitor, not a notary, and a hard commitment point
In Ireland the deal is handled by a solicitor, not a notary. From the moment the contract is signed and the contract deposit paid, obligations become binding, so all checks are completed before that stage.
Honestly, about residency: the investor route is closed
The former investor programme has been closed, and you should not count on a residency route through buying property — a purchase does not grant residency and is not a basis for a visa.
Smaller budget — we'll source it
Tell us the amount and the goal, and we'll come back with options from developers and partners that are not in the catalogue.
Send a requestHow the purchase works
- 1
We map your goal
Dublin or a county, and budget.
- 2
We make an offer through the seller's agent
We start the purchase process.
- 3
Booking deposit
At this stage it is typically refundable.
- 4
Conveyancing by a solicitor
In Ireland the deal is handled by a solicitor, not a notary.
- 5
Contract signing and deposit
From this point obligations become binding.
- 6
Closing and registration
We close the deal and register the title.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy property in Ireland?+
Yes. Ireland places no restrictions on property ownership by nationality or residence — non-residents may buy. The difficulties are market-driven: shortage of supply and competition for property.
Who handles the transaction in Ireland?+
A solicitor, not a notary. They carry out the legal due diligence (conveyancing), prepare the contract and complete the transaction. Each side instructs its own solicitor, whose fees are separate.
Does buying property grant residency in Ireland?+
No. A purchase is not a basis for a residence permit or visa. The former investor programme has closed, so buying a home should not be treated as a route to status.
At what point does the deal become binding?+
On signing contracts and paying the contract deposit. The earlier booking deposit is normally refundable. All checks — legal and structural — are therefore completed before contracts are signed.
How much is stamp duty?+
Residential stamp duty is charged on a progressive scale, with a higher rate for bulk acquisitions of houses. The rates have been revised, so confirm the current figures with your solicitor as at the transaction date.
Will a bank lend to a non-resident?+
It is difficult. Mortgage lending in Ireland is governed by Central Bank rules on loan-to-income and loan-to-value, and banks look to income earned in the country. Non-residents will find borrowing hard.
What taxes does the owner pay?+
Annually, local property tax determined by the property's valuation band. Rental income is subject to Irish income tax, including for non-residents.
Do you have property in Ireland?+
Not in the public catalogue at present. If the market interests you, send us a request — we will source through our partner network and arrange solicitor representation before contracts are signed.
Overview
Ireland is open to foreign buyers: there are no restrictions on property ownership by nationality or residence. The difficulties here are market-driven — shortage of supply and strict lending rules.
Why buy here
No restrictions on property ownership for foreigners, including non-residents. An English-speaking common-law jurisdiction familiar to international buyers. Dublin, as a hub for international technology and financial firms, generates steady rental demand.
Taxes, costs and yield
Benchmarks for taxes, purchase and holding costs and rental yield. Exact figures depend on the property and your situation.
Stamp duty is payable on residential purchases on a progressive scale, with a higher rate for bulk acquisitions of houses. Annually, local property tax.
Stamp duty is payable on residential purchases on a progressive scale, with a higher rate applying to bulk acquisitions of houses. Confirm the current rates at the time of the transaction: they have been revised, and we do not publish figures we cannot verify as at today's date. Also payable: solicitor's fees, valuation, a structural survey and registration charges. Annually the owner pays local property tax, determined by the property's valuation band.
1. Offer to purchase through the seller's agent. 2. Booking deposit, which at that stage is normally refundable. 3. Legal due diligence (conveyancing) by a solicitor — in Ireland a solicitor, not a notary, handles the transaction. 4. Signing contracts and paying the contract deposit — from this point the commitment is firm. 5. Completion and registration of title.
Mortgage lending in Ireland is governed by Central Bank rules on loan-to-income and loan-to-value. A non-resident will find borrowing difficult.
Buying property in Ireland does not grant residency and is not a basis for a visa. The former investor programme has closed, so a purchase should not be treated as a route to status.
Ireland's key constraint is market rather than legal: shortage of supply and strong competition for property, particularly in Dublin. Central Bank loan-to-income rules limit what mortgaged buyers can do, which shapes the structure of demand. We do not currently list property in this country in our public catalogue. If the market interests you, send us a request — we will source through our partner network and support the transaction.
What to bear in mind: — once contracts are signed and the contract deposit paid, withdrawing is difficult, so complete the checks before that stage; — the higher stamp duty rate on bulk acquisitions of houses changes the economics of portfolio buying; — stamp duty rates have been revised — earlier guides are not a safe basis, so confirm the figures as at the transaction date. Checked in September 2026. Thresholds, rates and programme terms change — confirm the current requirements with a lawyer in the country before you buy.
Request a selection in Ireland
Figures are indicative, change over time and depend on the specific property and your circumstances. Obtain independent legal, tax and financial advice before any purchase.
Get a personal property shortlist
Tell us your goal and budget — we'll send a curated selection from trusted local partners, with no obligation.