A mortgage is a loan you take out to buy a property.  They are available from most banks and building societies. There are excellent sources of information and advice available which will guide you when buying your own home.

South

• Competition and Consumer Protection Commission – Gives impartial information and advice on mortgages.  For further information please visit www.ccpc.ie

North

• Money Helper –  Contains useful, impartial information that can help guide you.  For further information please visit Buying a Home on the Money Helper website.
• nidirect – Provides some information on how to buy a home, with links to other websites containing more detailed advice and information. Buying a home – step by step guide
• Housing Advice NI – Provides a wide range of information on housing issues and can provide impartial advice on mortgages.  Housing Advice NI – mortgages

Cross-border mortgages

Source: Your Europe – Cross-border mortgages, credit and loans

A bank will make a commercial decision on whether or not to accept your mortgage application, on the basis of the risk profile of the proposed loan.

Banks may not discriminate against any EU citizens on grounds of nationality. However, your country of residence or the location of the property to be mortgaged can often make it difficult to obtain a mortgage.

Banks frequently refuse to grant mortgages for properties located in another country, or to people whose source of income or place of residence is not in the country where the bank is established.  Many banks see this as an unacceptable risk in case of default on loan repayments.

See also:

• Border People – Mortgage Interest Relief in Ireland
• Citizens Information – Owning a home
• Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) – www.mabs.ie

• Advice NI – Mortgages
• Debt Advice NI – Mortgages
• Border People News Shock as mortgages for border workers withdrawn

Page last checked: March 2023

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur.  It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.