Buy-to-let Mortgages

Benefits Summary

BUY-TO-LET MORTGAGES

3 Different Borrower Types

There are 3 ways in which you can apply for a buy-to-let mortgage;

All 3 options above have their specific advantages, so it's important that borrowers explore each option to see which is best suited for their requirements.

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Application Requirements

When applying for a Buy-to-Let mortgage, you Whichever option you apply for a Buy-to-Let mortgage (mentioned above) applying for a Buy-to-Let mortgage, the following is required;

Property Requirement:

Minimum Property Value – €115,000 The property must
be in habitable condition.

Property must belocated in an urban location with a population of 3,000 or more.

Applicants:

Up to 4 applicants can apply per application At least 1 applicant must be resident in Ireland There must be proven
earnings (salary) from all applicants of €40,000 or more

Max borrowings and deposits

Max loan is 70% of the property purchase price.30% deposit required

Terms

The term can be extended to your 80th birthday if required (max term
of 40 years). However, mortgage terms over the applicant’s 68th
birthday will require proof of a pension entitlement to qualify.

Interest Rates:
Interest rates vary depending on the loan-to-value ratio after the cash is
released. However, rates typically offered are as follows

  • Principal Private Residence – from 3% to 4.5%
  • Buy-to-Let Properties – from 5.35% to 5.85%

Financial Assessment to qualify:

  • Market rents of the property must equal 1.2 times mortgage repayments. If applicants own more than 1 buy-to-let, this is reduced to
    0.85 times market rent.
  • If applying individually, personal finances are assessed for affordability, whereas if applying through a pension or an SPV, this is not required.

Please see below a table that compares the benefits of each borrowing option for a buy-to-let mortgage.

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Key Features of Buy-to-Let Mortgage

Individual
Company (SPV)
Pension
Loan Amount
min - €40,000 | max - €1,250,000
min - €40,000 | max - €1,250,000
min - €40,000 | max - €1,250,000
Max Loan- to-Value
70% Loan to Value
70% Loan to Value
70% Loan to Value
Interest Rate Options
Interest only - 15 years
Capital Interest Options
Interest only - 10 years
Capital Interest Options
Interest only - 15 years
Capital Interest Options
Interest Rate
5.35% - 5.85%
5.35% - 5.85%
5.35% - 5.85%
ICB Check
Yes
Yes
No
Individual Income Assessed
Yes
No
No
Tax efficiency in extracting profits
Some what effecient
Very tax effecient
Very tax effecient
Property Value
€115,000
€115,000
€115,000
Age of Applicants
min age - 21
max age - 75
min age - 21
max age - 75
min age - 21
max age - 75
Term Available
5 - 35 Years
5 - 35 Years
5 - 35 Years

Watch These Real-Life Scenarios on YouTube

See how others have used Buy-to-Let Equity Release to transform their finances.

Releasing Equity on Your Existing Property

Meet John. He owns a home valued at €400,000, with only €100,000
left on the mortgage.

John had a clear goal: buy a second property to generate rental
income and build long-term wealth. He easily qualified for a second
mortgage — but didn’t have the 30% deposit required to make the
purchase.

So, what did he do?  

He remortgaged his current home for €175,000, unlocking €75,000
in equity.

That €75,000 became the deposit he needed to secure his second
buy-to-let property.

Now, John:  

Case Examples

Investor A (Individual)

Bought a rental property in Galway worth €250,000. Secured a loan of €175,000 at 70% LTV. Choose a 10-year interest-only term to maximise rental income, and will restructure after 10 years.

Investor B (Company SPV)

Refinanced two properties in Dublin, valued at €1 million. Secured €600,000 at 60% LTV. Used equity release to fund a third rental property.

Investor C (Pension)

Purchased a €200,000 rental property in Limerick. Used €100,000 from his pension and borrowed €100,000. The income goes directly back to the pension, growing tax-free.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)​

Q1. What’s the minimum deposit needed to purchase a buy-to-let in Ireland?

Ans: Typically, Buy-to-Let mortgages in Ireland require a 30% down payment, with borrowing capped at 70% LTV. The Loan-to-Value ratio is limited to 65% for higher borrowings between €1 million and €1.25 million. Pension-based investments typically require a 50% deposit.

Q2. Is buy-to-let worth it in Ireland?

Ans: Yes, with strong rental demand in urban areas and flexible lending options, buy-to-let property investment in Ireland remains a powerful long-term wealth-building strategy. Options like 15-year interest-only or 35-year capital & interest mortgages can offer sustainable monthly returns and retirement income.

Q3. How many times can I borrow my salary for a mortgage in Ireland?

Ans: The approval for buy-to-let mortgages depends largely on rental income potential and the Loan-to-Value ratio, rather than your wages. However, there is a minimum income requirement of €40,000 per applicant (or joint applicants combined). The amount you can borrow also depends on the property’s value and rental stress testing.

Q4. Is there a minimum borrowing limit for buy-to-let mortgages?

Ans: The minimum loan amount for a Buy-to-Let Mortgage Ireland is €80,000. However, the absolute minimum for refinancing smaller properties or portfolios can start from €40,000, depending on the borrower’s structure and the property’s value.

Q5. Do I need 25% for buy-to-let?

Ans: Generally, yes—you’ll need a deposit of at least 30% for most buy-to-let mortgage lenders in Ireland. That means a 70% LTV is the maximum for loans under €1 million. For larger loans or pension-based borrowing, expect to contribute more.

Q6. Does owning rental property in Ireland generate a solid income?

Ans: With high rental yields in urban centres and rising rental demand, being a landlord in Ireland can be profitable, especially when paired with competitive buy-to-let mortgage interest rates and long-term repayment strategies. Investors can refinance to grow portfolios or convert short-term debt into stable, income-generating assets.

Q7. What is the average ROI on buy-to-let?

Ans: Returns vary by location and property type, but urban rental yields in Ireland often range between 4% to 7% annually. A well-financed investment using a competitive buy-to-let mortgage rate can generate strong long-term ROI, especially when using interest-only options to maximise monthly cash flow.

Q8. What is the lowest deposit for buy-to-let?

Ans: The lowest deposit accepted is 30% (70% LTV) for individual and company applicants, and 50% LTV for pensions (unit trusts). Some specialised options through buy-to-let mortgage lenders in Ireland may allow strategic leverage up to €7 million with a 60% LTV.

Q9. How to get a buy-to-let mortgage in Ireland

Ans: To get a buy-to-let mortgage in Ireland, you’ll need to meet criteria such as:

  • €40,000 minimum income (single or combined)
  • Owning an Irish property (unless applying via SPV)
  • Property in habitable condition, valued at €115,000+
  • Urban location with 5,000+ population

Apply as an individual, company (via SPV), or pension trust. Approval can be processed quickly through a residential mortgage broker experienced in investment property finance.

Q10. What taxes are landlords liable for in Ireland?

Ans: Rental income is subject to income tax at your marginal rate (20% or 40%), plus PRSI and USC. That said, they may deduct the full amount of mortgage interest along with various other expenses. Smart structuring, especially through SPVs or pensions, may reduce tax exposure. Professional advice is key when financing through a buy to rent mortgage Ireland structure.

🔍 More Helpful Guides & Advice for Buy-to-let Mortgages

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