What First Time Buyers in Naas or Kildare need to know
If you are a first time buyer in Naas or anywhere in County Kildare, 2026 presents a real window of opportunity. Two government supports, the ‘Help to Buy Scheme’ and the ‘First Home Scheme’, can be used together to significantly reduce the financial gap between your deposit, your mortgage and the purchase price of a new home. Understanding how each one works and how to combine them properly, could be the difference between staying in rented accommodation and getting the keys to your own home.
This guide lays out everything you need to know in plain terms, with up to date figures for Kildare as it is our local area, with the office in Naas.
What is the Help to Buy scheme?
The Help to Buy (HTB) scheme is a tax refund for first time buyers purchasing or self building a new residential property in Ireland. It was introduced to help buyers build up a deposit and has been extended until 31 December 2029 following Budget 2026.
Here is how it works
You can claim back income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) that you have paid in Ireland over the four tax years before your application. The refund is capped at the lower of 10% of the purchase price or €30,000 per property. That cap applies per property regardless of how many buyers are on the application.
To qualify you must:
- Be a first time buyer (all parties on the application must also be first time buyers)
- Be purchasing or building a new residential property valued at €500,000 or less
- Take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the property's value
- Intend to live in the property as your main home for a minimum of five years
- Be fully tax compliant for the four years prior to your application
The refund goes directly to the developer on a new build or to your bank account on a self build. It is not a loan. It is money you have already paid in tax, returned to you to help with your deposit. Some good news.
For a buyer purchasing a new home in Naas at €380,000, the maximum HTB refund would be €30,000, provided they have paid at least that amount in income tax and DIRT over the previous four years.
You can check your eligibility and apply through Revenue's MyAccount portal.
What is the First Home Scheme?
The First Home Scheme (FHS) is a shared equity scheme operated jointly by the Government of Ireland and participating lenders. It is designed to bridge the gap between your mortgage, your deposit and the actual purchase price of a new home in Kildare or any other county.
In simple terms, the scheme takes a percentage ownership stake in your home in exchange for funding the shortfall. You live in the property as normal and can buy out the scheme's share at any point in the future.
The key figures for 2026
- The scheme can fund up to 30% of the purchase price where Help to Buy is not being used
- Where Help to Buy is also being used, the First Home Scheme contribution is reduced to a maximum of 20%
- The minimum contribution from the scheme is 2.5% of the purchase price or €10,000, whichever is higher
Unlike Help to Buy, there is no upper household income limit for the First Home Scheme. Eligibility is based on your borrowing capacity. You must have applied for the maximum mortgage available to you from a participating lender under Central Bank rules, which for first time buyers is 4 times your gross annual income.
Participating lenders include AIB, EBS, Haven, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB.
You can find full eligibility information at firsthomescheme.ie. Or call us to go through it.
How do the two schemes work together?
Used together, these two schemes can significantly increase what a first time buyer in places like Naas or Newbridge can afford. Here is a worked example to make it concrete.
Suppose a couple are buying a new two bedroom apartment at Harbour Gate in Naas for €350,000. They have saved a 10% deposit of €35,000. Together they can borrow up to 4 times their combined income say €245,000 from their lender.
Without any support: €35,000 deposit plus €245,000 mortgage totals €280,000, leaving a shortfall of €70,000.
With Help to Buy: They claim back €30,000 in tax. The shortfall reduces to €40,000.
With the First Home Scheme on top: Because they are using Help to Buy, the FHS can contribute up to 20% of the purchase price, which is €70,000. The remaining shortfall of €40,000 falls well within that ceiling. The scheme takes a 11.4% equity stake in the home and the purchase completes.
This is how many buyers in Kildare are crossing the affordability line in 2026.
One important rule: if you are offered a Macro Prudential Exception (MPE) by your lender, meaning permission to borrow above the standard income limits, you cannot use the First Home Scheme at the same time. You must choose one or the other.
What does this mean for buyers in Naas and Kildare?
Naas is one of the most active property markets outside Dublin. With regular commuter rail services from Sallins and Naas station into Dublin Heuston taking around 35 minutes, good schools and amenities near the town centre, the Curragh and Kildare Village a short drive away and a growing range of new developments, demand for homes in the area remains good.
The property price ceiling for the First Home Scheme in County Kildare is €475,000 for both houses and apartments. This was updated in 2025 and brings more buyers and more properties within scope of the scheme.
New residential developments in and around Naas, including Harbour Gate near the town, Stonehaven and Longstone beside Craddockstown Golf Club, contain properties that fall within the Help to Buy threshold of €500,000 and the First Home Scheme ceiling of €475,000, making both supports accessible to qualifying buyers.
For buyers in nearby towns such as Newbridge, Celbridge, Leixlip and Kilcock, the same Kildare price ceiling applies and the same combination strategy is available.
It is worth checking individual development pricing carefully. Some recent premium launches in Naas, such as Tipperstown Walk near the racecourse, are priced above these scheme thresholds and are better suited to existing homeowners trading up.
For current new home listings in Kildare, Daft.ie's new homes section provides an up to date overview of available developments.
Step 1. Register with Revenue
Set up or log into your MyAccount on Revenue.ie. If you are self employed you will use ROS. Ensure your tax returns for the past four years are submitted and that your tax affairs are fully up to date.
Step 2. Get mortgage approval in principle
Approach one of the participating lenders (AIB, EBS, Haven, Bank of Ireland or Permanent TSB) and obtain approval in principle for the maximum amount available to you. This is a required step for the First Home Scheme.
Step 3. Apply for Help to Buy
Submit your HTB application through Revenue's online portal. Revenue will issue you an application number and access code. Your developer will use these to verify your claim.
Step 4. Apply for the First Home Scheme
Once you have your HTB application number, apply to the First Home Scheme at firsthomescheme.ie. Provide details of your mortgage approval, deposit and the property you are buying. The scheme will confirm the maximum equity contribution available to you.
Step 5. Confirm your property and sign contracts
Work with your solicitor to exchange contracts on your chosen new build. Your developer will confirm registration with Revenue and the HTB refund will be paid directly to them on completion.
Step 6. Draw down your mortgage
Your mortgage draws down on closing. The First Home Scheme funds are also released at this point, completing the purchase.
A qualified mortgage broker can coordinate all of this for you and help avoid unnecessary delays or extra expense caused by missing documents or sequencing errors. Delays can be very stressful for buyers who are already up to high dough or need to vacate a rental by a certain date.
Common mistakes first time buyers make
Getting these schemes right the first time matters. Here are just some of the errors or issues that cause most problems.
Not checking tax compliance early.
The HTB scheme requires you to be fully tax compliant for four years. Any outstanding returns or unpaid taxes must be resolved before you apply. Leave some time for this if needs be.
Applying for an MPE when you intend to use the First Home Scheme.
If your lender offers you permission to borrow above the standard income limits and you accept it, you lose access to the First Home Scheme. Discuss your full strategy with a mortgage advisor before accepting any MPE offer.
Assuming all new builds in Naas qualify.
Not every development is within the price ceilings for Help to Buy (€500,000) or the First Home Scheme (€475,000 in Kildare). Confirm the purchase price and scheme eligibility before you reserve a unit.
Missing the five year residency rule.
The HTB refund must be repaid if you do not live in the property as your principal private residence for at least five years from the date it becomes habitable.
Leaving the application too late.
Revenue typically processes HTB applications within four to five working days but the overall timeline from approval to drawdown can take weeks. Scheme eligibility and price ceilings are also reviewed every six months, so early preparation protects you from rule changes.
Help to Buy & First Home Scheme Guide frequently asked questions
Can I use Help to Buy and the First Home Scheme at the same time?
Yes, very definitely. Both schemes can be combined. However, when you use Help to Buy alongside the First Home Scheme, the maximum First Home Scheme contribution is reduced from 30% to 20% of the purchase price. You should factor this into your affordability calculations from the start.
Does the Help to Buy scheme apply to second hand homes in Naas?
No. The Help to Buy scheme applies only to new builds and self builds. Second hand or previously occupied properties do not qualify regardless of age or condition. If you are purchasing a second hand property, you will need to explore other options such as the Local Authority Home Loan.
What is the property price ceiling for Kildare under the First Home Scheme?
The property price ceiling for County Kildare is currently €475,000 for both houses and apartments. This ceiling was updated in 2025 and applies across the county including Naas, Newbridge, Celbridge, Leixlip and Kilcock. Ceilings are reviewed every six months and the next review is expected in mid 2026.
How long does the Help to Buy application take?
Revenue typically processes completed HTB applications and issues a claim certificate within four to five working days. However, the full journey from initial application to funds being released to your developer at closing can take several weeks. Submitting your application early in the process is advisable.
Do I need a solicitor to apply for either scheme?
For the Help to Buy scheme, the application is made by you directly through Revenue's online portal. However, your solicitor plays a key role in verifying the purchase and ensuring the refund is correctly handled at closing. For the First Home Scheme, your solicitor is involved in the legal documentation of the equity arrangement. Engaging a solicitor experienced in new build transactions in Kildare is strongly recommended. You have a few good options locally.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Scheme rules, price ceilings and income limits are subject to review. Always speak with a qualified mortgage advisor and check current figures directly with Revenue and the First Home Scheme before making financial decisions.