Central Bank Mortgage Measures: Loan-to-Value and Loan-to-Income Limits Explained

The Central Bank mortgage measures set limits on how much can be lent against a borrower's income (loan-to-income, or LTI) and against the value of the property (loan-to-value, or LTV). This guide sets out what the Central Bank of Ireland and Citizens Information say the limits are, the allowances and exemptions that sit alongside them, and why the figures should always be checked on the official page before anyone relies on them.

The audience here is finance, HR and management professionals who field questions from colleagues or clients about borrowing. This is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Professionals should take advice for their own situation.

What the measures are

According to the Central Bank's mortgage measures page, the measures were first introduced in 2015 and were reviewed annually until 2021. The page describes the limits as restricting how much people can borrow, and the allowances as lending that banks and other lenders can make above the limits. The page does not show a last updated date, so treat it as a living page and check it directly.

The page names the legal basis as the 2022 Regulations (S.I. No. 546 of 2022) and the 2026 Regulations (S.I. No. 141 of 2026), and states that the 2015 to 2021 regulations were revoked from 1 January 2023. This guide does not summarise the wording of the statutes themselves.

For borrowers in difficulty, the separate rules on how lenders deal with arrears are covered in our guide to the Mortgage Arrears Code of Conduct.

The limits by borrower type

The Central Bank's mortgage measures page sets out the following. Citizens Information (page edited 15 April 2026) gives matching figures. Check the current figure on the official page before relying on any of these.

Citizens Information expresses the same position as 90% LTV for a primary residence and 70% LTV where the property is not a primary residence, with LTI limits of up to 4 times gross annual income for a first-time buyer of a primary residence and 3.5 times for other buyers.

The Central Bank's page gives a worked example: a first-time buyer couple with combined income of 100,000 euro could borrow up to 400,000 euro, while a second or subsequent buyer with the same income could borrow up to 350,000 euro. These are the page's own illustrations of how the multiple works, not a prediction of what any lender will offer.

Allowances: lending above the limits

The framework does not require every loan to sit inside the limits. The Central Bank's page lists allowances for lending above them: 15% of lending for first-time buyers, 15% for second and subsequent buyers, and 10% for buy-to-let. Citizens Information describes this as lenders being able to exceed the limits for up to 15% of lending on primary residences, or 10% on other properties, in a calendar year.

The practical point is that the allowances are a feature of lenders' overall lending, not a right that an individual borrower can claim. The Central Bank's October 2022 announcement also says the limits operate alongside each lender's own credit policies and do not replace the lender's duty to assess affordability and lend prudently.

Exemptions

The Central Bank's page lists these exemptions:

• Both LTI and LTV limits do not apply to switcher mortgages, or to mortgages that address arrears or pre-arrears.
• LTV limits do not apply to borrowers in negative equity who are selling their home to buy a new one (the page says LTI still applies).
• LTI limits do not apply to buy-to-let mortgages, lifetime mortgages and bridging loans.

Citizens Information adds that the limits apply to most housing loans, including equity-release loans and top-ups, that the property must have been valued within four months of the date on the mortgage agreement, and that lenders may apply stricter lending standards after assessing an applicant's case.

The 2026 bridging loan change

The Central Bank's page records a 2026 amendment: "principal home bridging loan" products are exempt from the LTI limit for first-time and second-time buyers. The page says these loans must have a term of no more than 18 months and no obligation to repay capital during the term, and that LTV limits still apply (90% for first-time and second-time buyers), measured against the original principal home. Lenders must still assess suitability and affordability for each borrower. Citizens Information says the exception took effect on 8 April 2026.

This is a good example of why dated figures matter: the rules have been amended recently and may be amended again.

How the framework is reviewed

The Central Bank's page says it monitors the measures and reports its findings in its biannual Financial Stability Review. A comprehensive review ran in 2021 and 2022. According to the Central Bank's framework review page, Consultation Paper 146 was published on 17 December 2021 and closed on 16 March 2022. The outcome, announced on 19 October 2022 (per the Central Bank's announcement), took effect on 1 January 2023: the first-time buyer LTI limit moved from 3.5 to 4 times income, the second and subsequent buyer LTV limit moved from 80% to 90%, and lenders were given allowances of 15% of their lending above the limits in each of the first-time buyer and second and subsequent buyer markets. The 2022 announcement also widened the first-time buyer definition for some divorced, separated or bankrupt borrowers and some top-up or re-mortgage cases. The framework review page does not state how often the framework is reviewed, and neither of the Central Bank pages shows a last updated date.

Where this fits with other Central Bank rules

The mortgage measures are one part of Central Bank regulation of lending. Lenders also report to the Central Credit Register, which we cover in our guide to the Central Credit Register. The Central Bank also operates a separate regime for the people who run regulated firms; see our overview of the Central Bank fitness and probity regime. These are different rules with different purposes and should not be confused with the borrowing limits above.

A practical approach for finance and HR teams

Our suggestion: when colleagues or clients ask about borrowing, point them to the Central Bank's mortgage measures page and to Citizens Information rather than quoting a remembered multiple. Note the date you checked the page, because the figures here come from pages that are either undated or were edited in April 2026. Remind people that a lender's own credit policy can be stricter than the Central Bank limits, and that the limits are not a guarantee of what a lender will approve. Anyone with a specific borrowing decision should take professional advice.

Learnsignal's offices are off Baggot Street in Dublin, and we offer in-person training from there. For current details, see our CPD pages.

Frequently asked questions

What is the loan-to-income limit for first-time buyers in Ireland?

The Central Bank's mortgage measures page and Citizens Information (page edited 15 April 2026) both give 4 times gross income. Check the current figure on the official page, as the framework is reviewed and amended.

What is the minimum deposit under the Central Bank mortgage measures?

The Central Bank's page gives a minimum 10% deposit for first-time buyers and for second and subsequent buyers, and a minimum 30% deposit for buy-to-let buyers. Citizens Information expresses this as 90% and 70% loan-to-value respectively.

Can a lender lend more than the limits allow?

Within the allowances, yes. The Central Bank's page lists 15% of lending for first-time buyers, 15% for second and subsequent buyers and 10% for buy-to-let. These are allowances on a lender's overall lending, and a lender can still choose stricter standards.

Do the limits apply when someone switches mortgage?

The Central Bank's page says LTI and LTV limits do not apply to switcher mortgages, or to mortgages that address arrears or pre-arrears.

How often do the rules change?

The Central Bank says it monitors the measures and reports in its biannual Financial Stability Review, and the framework was amended in 2022 and again in 2026. Always check the current position on the official pages.

The mortgage measures are a moving target, so the safest habit is to read the Central Bank's own page on the day you need the answer.