A green mortgage is simply a standard mortgage with a lower interest rate applied to energy-efficient homes. Every major Irish lender now offers one. If your home — or a home you are buying — has a BER A or B energy rating, you may be paying more than you need to.
What is a Green Mortgage?
A green mortgage is a standard residential mortgage product at a preferential interest rate, available to borrowers whose property meets a minimum energy efficiency standard. In Ireland, that standard is a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A3 or better with some lenders, and B3 or better with others.
The lower rate reflects the view that energy-efficient homes:
- Have lower running costs (heating bills), meaning borrowers have more disposable income available for repayments
- Are likely to hold or grow their value better as energy efficiency standards tighten
- Represent lower credit risk due to reduced utility bills affecting affordability
Which Lenders Offer Green Mortgages in Ireland?
All major Irish lenders offer a green rate. The exact BER threshold and discount vary:
| Lender | BER Required | Rate Discount (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| AIB / Haven | A or B | 0.2–0.4% below standard fixed |
| Bank of Ireland | A or B | 0.2–0.4% |
| EBS | A or B | 0.2–0.3% |
| Permanent TSB | A or B | 0.2–0.3% |
| Avant Money | A or B | 0.2–0.4% |
| ICS Mortgages | A or B | Case by case via broker |
| Finance Ireland | A or B | Via broker |
Always confirm current rates directly with the lender or via a broker — green rates change regularly.
How Much Does a Green Mortgage Save?
On a €300,000 mortgage at 3.8% standard vs 3.4% green (0.4% discount):
| Standard Rate | Green Rate | Annual Saving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly repayment (25yr) | €1,565 | €1,498 | €804/year |
| Total over 5-year fixed | €93,900 | €89,880 | €4,020 saved |
On a larger mortgage (€400,000+) or a larger rate discount (0.5%+), the saving is proportionately greater and can easily exceed €6,000–€8,000 over a 5-year fixed period.
How to Check Your Property’s BER
Every property in Ireland with a BER certificate has its rating registered on the SEAI’s national BER register. You can check free at ndber.seai.ie using the property’s MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number, found on your electricity bill).
BER classes:
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| A1, A2, A3 | Excellent — qualifies for green mortgage |
| B1, B2, B3 | Good — qualifies for green mortgage at most lenders |
| C1, C2, C3 | Average — standard mortgage rate only |
| D, E, F, G | Poor — standard rate; some lenders may add a premium |
Newer homes (built after 2010) are typically BER A or B. Older homes (pre-1990) are often C–G.
Green Mortgages for New Builds
All new builds in Ireland must meet A2 energy rating requirements under current building regulations. This means if you are buying a new build, you will automatically qualify for a green mortgage rate without any additional steps.
If your new build developer has not yet obtained a BER certificate at the time of your mortgage application, ask for the provisional BER from the architect’s drawings — lenders will accept this as provisional evidence and issue the green rate, updated on receipt of the actual certificate.
Can Retrofitting Unlock a Green Rate?
Yes — if your existing home is currently BER C or below, upgrading it to B or A can qualify you for a green mortgage rate when you next switch or refix.
The SEAI grants programme (up to €50,000 in grants) subsidises the cost of:
- External/internal wall insulation
- Heat pump installation
- Window and door replacement
- Solar PV panels
- Attic/roof insulation
Is the retrofit worth it purely for the mortgage rate?
A full retrofit to achieve BER B might cost €25,000–€50,000 after grants. The annual green mortgage saving on a €300,000 mortgage at 0.3% is approximately €900/year. At that rate of saving, the retrofit payback period from mortgage rate alone is 28–55 years — it does not stack up on mortgage savings alone.
However, a retrofit also delivers:
- Reduced energy bills — typically €1,500–€3,000/year saving for a well-insulated home
- Increased property value — a BER A or B home commands a premium over C/D in Ireland’s current market
- Carbon footprint reduction
- Improved comfort (less critical draughts, more consistent temperatures)
The combined financial case — energy bill saving + property value uplift + green mortgage rate discount — is much stronger than the mortgage rate saving alone.
Switching to a Green Rate
If your existing home is BER A or B but you are currently on a standard-rate mortgage, you may be eligible for a green rate at your current lender or when switching.
Options:
- Ask your current lender to move you to their green rate product — this is sometimes possible without a full switch, particularly at the end of a fixed period
- Switch to a new lender specifically to access their green rate — especially worthwhile if your standard rate is also higher than the market
A mortgage broker can identify which lender offers the best overall green rate package for your specific property, LTV, and loan amount.
Green Mortgage for Buy-to-Let
Green mortgage rates are also available for buy-to-let (BTL) investment properties that meet BER A or B requirements. BTL green rates are typically less discounted than owner-occupier rates, but still represent a saving versus standard BTL rates.
Green Rate at Rollover: Don’t Miss It
If your fixed period is expiring, proactively check whether you now qualify for a green rate — either at your current lender or elsewhere. Many homeowners move to BER A or B through SEAI-funded retrofits during their mortgage term and then forget to update their mortgage accordingly. A 15-minute call to your lender or broker at the end of each fixed period can save thousands.
See also: Mortgage Rates Ireland 2026 | Switching Your Mortgage in Ireland | Renovation Mortgages Ireland | Best Mortgage Lenders in Ireland | Fixed vs Variable Rate Mortgage