Rates & sources
Standard amortisation formulas used across UK lenders. Interest rates move daily — confirm with your lender or broker.
Source: Bank of England — Statistics — figures refreshed at the start of each tax year.
When to use this calculator
- Before comparing lenders, brokers, or repayment options.
- When you want to test how a different deposit, rate, or term changes affordability.
- When you need a quick estimate before using a formal quote or agreement in principle.
- When you are stress-testing your budget against a potential rate rise to see the impact on monthly payments.
- When you want to understand the full cost of borrowing — not just the monthly figure — before you commit.
A realistic Ireland planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
Annual Gross Income — Applicant 1 (€)
€45,000
Annual Gross Income — Applicant 2 (€)
€45,000
Buyer Type
First-time buyer (FTB)
Property Value (€)
€350,000
After entering these figures, review maximum mortgage, lti limit ({symbol}) and ltv limit ({symbol}) together rather than in isolation — each metric tells a different part of the story. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted to see which variable has the biggest effect on all three outputs before you settle on a plan.
How to read your results
Maximum Mortgage
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
LTI Limit ({symbol})
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
LTV Limit ({symbol})
Loan-to-value helps you compare product eligibility and understand how much lender risk you are carrying at this deposit level. Crossing key LTV thresholds — typically 90%, 85%, or 75% — can unlock materially better interest rates.
Est. Monthly Repayment
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Mortgage LTV
Loan-to-value helps you compare product eligibility and understand how much lender risk you are carrying at this deposit level. Crossing key LTV thresholds — typically 90%, 85%, or 75% — can unlock materially better interest rates.
Loan-to-Income
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator applies the Central Bank of Ireland's mortgage rules updated in 2023. First-time buyers face a Loan-to-Income limit of 4.0 times gross income and a Loan-to-Value cap of 90%. Second and subsequent buyers are limited to 3.5x LTI and 80% LTV. The maximum mortgage displayed is the lower of the two limits — exactly how Irish lenders determine each borrower's ceiling. The estimated monthly repayment uses a standard capital-and-interest amortisation formula on the maximum loan at the rate and term you input.
This tool does not model lender allowances above the standard limits, Help to Buy contributions, First Home Scheme equity stakes, or cashback offers. Income should reflect basic gross salary; commission, bonuses, and rental income are assessed differently by each lender. LTI and LTV figures for your requested loan help you gauge your position before approaching a bank or broker.
Common mistakes
- !Mixing up loan amount and property value, which can distort affordability and LTV.
- !Using a headline rate but forgetting fees, insurance, taxes, or repayment type.
- !Testing only one term length instead of comparing the payment and total cost together.
- !Forgetting that a repayment mortgage and an interest-only mortgage produce very different monthly figures and total costs.
- !Not accounting for the impact of a rate revert after an introductory fixed period ends, which can sharply increase payments.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a higher rate or shorter term so you can see the downside clearly.
- Compare the result with an affordability or overpayment calculator before applying.
- Use the related guides below to understand trade-offs before you request live quotes.
- Note down the monthly payment and total interest for your two or three strongest scenarios so you have a clear comparison ready when you speak to a broker.
- Check whether making a modest overpayment each month would reduce total interest significantly — run the overpayment calculator next to find out.
Frequently asked
Use arrow keys to navigate items, Enter or Space to expand/collapse.
End-of-article next steps
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