The Irish Times (11 June 2025) reports that cross-Border workers—those living in one jurisdiction but employed in the other—are increasingly being refused mortgages because banks struggle to assess income earned under two different tax regimes. This issue affects even staff in North-South Implementation Bodies created under the Good Friday Agreement, with examples of people forced to leave jobs because they could not secure a home loan after marrying or starting a family. While official figures suggest around 18,000 cross-Border workers, the true number is likely higher, with some using relatives’ addresses to avoid administrative complications.

The article highlights that mortgages are only one part of a wider set of difficulties. Employers are often reluctant to hire across the Border due to “onerous” tax and employment rules, while health insurers and financial institutions treat cross-Border workers differently. Some firms even advertise jobs as “UK residents only” because their systems cannot handle Republic of Ireland residents working in Northern Ireland, and vice versa. These restrictions reduce opportunities for individuals and discourage cross-Border employment.

Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic have already weakened patterns of cross-Border commuting, and these financial and regulatory barriers risk further limiting mobility. The result is a narrowing of choice for workers and families in border regions, undermining both economic integration and the spirit of all-island cooperation. The article suggests that unless solutions are found, the unique social and economic value of cross-Border work may continue to erode.

Read the full piece here.