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Mortgages

Specialised Public Sector Mortgage Advice

Free Mortgage Consultation

Access to All Lenders & Lowest Rates

Quick Approvals

How Much Can I Borrow? Irish Mortgage Calculator

Estimate how much you could borrow based on your income

First time buyers can borrow up to 4× qualifying income

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Tailored Mortgage Advice for Ireland’s Public Sector Workforce🏡

(Teachers, Nurses, Gardaí, Doctors, Civil Servants & Emergency Services)

Working in the public sector can significantly strengthen your mortgage application in Ireland — but only when your income is assessed correctly.

At Park Financial, we specialise in helping public sector employees understand how lenders actually assess structured salary scales, allowances, and future income progression, and how to use this to maximise borrowing capacity and approval strength.

Most applicants are not assessed purely on today’s salary — and understanding this properly can make a substantial difference to the mortgage amount you qualify for.


How Public Sector Mortgages Work

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There is no separate “public sector mortgage product” in Ireland.

Instead, most lenders apply enhanced income assessment methods for public sector workers due to the stability and predictability of their earnings.

This means your mortgage application may be assessed using more than just your base salary, including:

  • Structured salary scale progression (current + expected increments)
  • Guaranteed or highly predictable pay increases
  • Consistent overtime or shift allowances (where evidenced and sustainable)
  • Long-term employment stability within the public sector

When correctly presented, these factors can increase your assessed income and improve your borrowing capacity.


Who This Applies To?

We support a wide range of public sector professionals, including:

  • Teachers and education professionals
  • HSE staff, nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers
  • Gardaí and emergency services personnel
  • Civil servants and local authority employees
  • Defence Forces personnel
  • Semi-state employees

In joint applications, lenders may also factor in public sector income structures when assessing overall household affordability.


How Lenders Assess Public Sector Income

When reviewing applications from public sector employees, lenders may take a more detailed view of income, including:

  • Current point on a structured salary scale
  • Documented annual increments and career progression
  • Consistent overtime or shift patterns (where stable)
  • Contracted allowances or recurring additional payments

Unlike standard employment assessments, this approach can allow lenders to recognise future earnings with greater confidence, rather than relying solely on current base salary.

Why This Matters for Borrowing Power

Correctly presenting public sector income can result in:

  • Higher assessed income in affordability calculations
  • Increased maximum borrowing capacity
  • Improved approval strength with lenders
  • More accurate reflection of long-term earnings potential

Many applicants unintentionally underestimate their borrowing capacity by applying standard income assumptions to structured public sector roles.


Key Benefits for Public Sector Employees

When assessed correctly, public sector applicants may benefit from:

  • Stronger mortgage approval outcomes due to employment stability
  • Recognition of structured salary progression over time
  • Inclusion of eligible overtime and allowances in affordability checks
  • Access to competitive lending options from participating lenders
  • More favourable risk profiling compared to non-structured income roles

Maximising Your Mortgage Approval

The key to a successful public sector mortgage application is not just your income — it’s how that income is presented and interpreted by lenders.

Many applicants are not fully aware of how salary scales, increments, and allowances can be used to strengthen their case, which can lead to reduced borrowing capacity or missed lending potential.

At Park Financial, we ensure your application reflects your true earning structure, not just your base salary today — helping you secure the strongest possible approval outcome from the outset.

How Much Should I Save Each Month for a Mortgage?

Enter your purchase price and loan amount — we'll calculate your LTV, apply the average rate for that bracket, and tell you what to save monthly (stress tested).

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Step-by-Step First Time Buyer Mortgage Journey 2026 Ireland

From first call to front door — here's how we get you home.

1

Initial Consultation

We assess your finances and find the best mortgage for you.

2

Approval in Principle

Get pre-approved so you know your budget before house hunting.

3

Sale Agreed

Found your dream home? We move quickly once you go sale agreed.

4

Loan Offer

Your formal mortgage offer is issued by the lender.

5

Legal & Insurances

Solicitor completes conveyancing, you arrange life & home cover.

6

Collect Your Keys

Drawdown complete — congratulations, you're a homeowner!

2026 Mortgage Document Checklist: First Time Buyers Ireland?

Whether you are a PAYE employee or Self-Employed, having your paperwork ready is the fastest way to secure an Approval in Principle (AIP). Documentation Comparison: PAYE vs. Self-Employed Use the table below to ensure you have the correct files ready for your application. Select your employment type to see the full checklist.

Proof of Income
  • Most recent 3 consecutive months of payslips
  • Employment Detail Summary (EDS) for the previous tax year
  • Salary Certificate — completed, signed & stamped by your employer
  • If variable income: last 3 years of Employment Detail Summaries
Bank Statements & Financial History
  • 6 months of personal current account statements
  • 6–12 months of savings account statements
  • 6–12 months of loan/credit card statements
  • Proof of rent — rental agreement if not visible via direct debit
Personal Identification & Address
  • Valid Passport or Driving Licence
  • Utility bill or bank statement (last 3–6 months, not mobile bill)
  • Evidence of PPS Number
Other Potential Documents
  • Gift Letter — if deposit is a gift from family
  • Separation Agreement — if applicable
  • Visa/Work Permit (IRP) for non-EU/EEA nationals

Compare The Best Mortgage Rates In Ireland

Use our calculator to compare the best mortgage rates from Ireland's leading lenders — updated regularly

Find Your Best Rate
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many lenders does Park Financial work with?

Park Financial deals with all lenders on the Irish market and all Life Insurance providers. This makes sure you are getting the best advice.

What areas does Park Financial serve in Dublin?

Park Financial is a Dublin-based mortgage broker serving home buyers, movers and mortgage switchers across Dublin City, North Dublin, South Dublin, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. Our mortgage advisers meet clients throughout Dublin, including areas such as Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Dublin 3, Dublin 4, Dublin 5, Dublin 6, Dublin 6W, Dublin 7, Dublin 8, Dublin 9, Dublin 11, Dublin 13, Dublin 14, Dublin 15, Dublin 16, Dublin 17, Dublin 18, Dublin 20, Dublin 22 and Dublin 24.

We also help customers in areas including Clontarf, Drumcondra, Glasnevin, Raheny, Swords, Malahide, Howth, Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Tallaght, Terenure, Dundrum, Rathfarnham and Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock.

How much can I borrow with a mortgage broker in Dublin?

As a First Time Buyer the maximum a lender can lend is x 4 times your salary. As a Second Time Buyer the maximum is x 3.5 times your salary. In certain cases, a lender will make an exception and allow you to borrow above this amount. This is considered a Central Bank exception.

What is the difference between a mortgage broker and going directly to a bank?

Using an independent Dublin mortgage broker gives you whole-of-market access that individual high-street banks cannot match. While a direct bank can only sell its own internal products, an independent broker acts as your personal advocate to compare live interest rates, terms, and cashback offers across the entire Irish lender panel.

Key advantages of choosing an independent broker like Park Financial include:

  • Whole-of-Market Access: Park Financial instantly compare top retail banks and non-bank lenders, including Avant Money, MoCo, ICS Mortgages, Haven, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, Spry and Núa.

  • Maximum Legitimate Borrowing Capacity: Different lenders apply different income stress-testing criteria; a broker matches your specific profile to the bank most likely to grant exceptions or higher loan amounts.

  • Accelerated Digital Onboarding: With Park Financial’s 100% paperless platform, you can upload documents and track milestones securely online, allowing our team to secure a bank Approval in Principle (AIP) up to 3x faster than traditional brokers.

What is an Approval in Principle and how long does it last in Dublin?

By utilizing our secure, 100% paperless digital onboarding portal, document processing and pre-qualification are automated. This allows our advisory team to secure a formal bank Approval in Principle (AIP) in as little as 24 to 48 hours after complete document submission

How can a mortgage broker help me switch my mortgage to a better rate?

A mortgage broker simplifies the switching process by comparing the entire market to find lenders offering lower interest rates, cashback incentives, or better terms. They handle the heavy lifting, such as advising you on your current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, identifying potential savings, and managing the paperwork involved in moving to a new provider. By acting as your advocate, they ensure you avoid unnecessary fees and secure a deal that reduces your monthly repayments or shortens your mortgage term.

What documents are required for a mortgage?

This will be dependent if you are classed as PAYE or Self-Employed.

PAYE

  • Salary Certificate
  • If you are on a contract a copy of this will be required:
    • 3 months payslips
    • 6 months bank statements for all accounts
    • ID & Proof of Address

Self-Employed

  • Accountants letter confirming your tax affairs are up to date
  • 2 years Accounts, Chapter 4/Notice of Assessment & Form 11s
  • 6 months business account statements
  • 6 months personal bank statements for all accounts
  • ID & Proof of Address

What areas of Dublin do you help home buyers in?

We work with home buyers, movers and mortgage switchers across all areas of Dublin, including Dublin City, South Dublin, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. Whether you’re buying your first apartment, moving to a larger home or switching your mortgage, our advisers can help you compare suitable mortgage options.

What schemes are available for First Time Buyers when using a mortgage broker?

As a first-time buyer you will be eligible for the Help to Buy, First Home Scheme, Tenant Home Purchase and the Local Authority Scheme.

Can I get a mortgage in Dublin if I'm self-employed?

Yes. Many self-employed applicants successfully secure mortgages each year. We help business owners, company directors and sole traders prepare the documents lenders require and compare mortgage options from lenders that consider self-employed applications.