Cost of Buying a House in Ireland

What does it cost to buy a house in Ireland?

Beyond the purchase price, buying a home in Ireland involves several unavoidable costs. Here is what to budget for:

Stamp duty

The biggest additional cost for most buyers. Stamp duty is 1% of the purchase price on the first €1,000,000 and 2% on any amount above that. On a €350,000 home, that is €3,500.

Solicitor fees

Your solicitor handles all the legal work — reviewing title, raising queries, dealing with your mortgage lender, and registering the property in your name. Fees typically range from €1,500 to €3,000 plus VAT at 23%, depending on the complexity of the transaction.

Land Registry fees

Paid to the Property Registration Authority (PRA) to register the title in your name. The fee is based on the purchase price and ranges from approximately €400 to €800 for most residential purchases.

Searches

Your solicitor will order a series of searches — Land Registry, planning, environmental, and others — to check there are no issues with the property. Budget €200–€400 for a standard residential purchase.

Surveyor

A structural survey is not legally required but is strongly recommended, particularly for older properties. A building survey costs €350–€600 depending on the surveyor and property size. Your mortgage lender will also require a valuation report (€150–€200).