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If you’ve tried to buy or sell a home in Ireland recently, you already know that the ground is shifting beneath our feet. On paper, the Irish economy is doing incredibly well. Modified Domestic Demand is up by 4.9%, and unemployment is sitting at a near-historic low of 4.8%. Wages are rising, and the government is sitting on a strong surplus. But when you step into the actual housing market, that glowing macroeconomic picture collides with a harsh reality. Median house prices

Entering the Irish property market in 2026 requires navigating a rapidly shifting financial landscape. Following a period where the Central Bank reduced key interest rates, market indicators show that interest rates are now trending upwards again. This updated guide provides the essential Summer 2026 updates for your home buying journey. What is the Mid Year Outlook for Interest Rates? The mortgage market is constantly evolving. While 2026 started with average market rates s

When you go to fill out a life assurance application, the amount of information required can feel overwhelming. There are questions about your family medical history, your lifestyle, your hobbies, and events that happened years ago. At Citywide Financial in Dublin, we often speak with clients who worry about how minor details affect their policies. A common question we get is "What happens if I leave something out on my application form?" The short answer is simple - it can r

When two or three people set up a private limited company in Ireland, they do it based on a shared vision, mutual trust, and hard work. They build the business together, and from the outset are aligned on how things should be run. But there is a silent compliance risk that many Irish business owners ignore - The Laws of Succession. If your business partner passes away tomorrow, their shares do not automatically return to you or the company. They pass directly to their next of

In the financial world, there is a silent tax that doesn’t appear on your Revenue statement. It’s called the Loyalty Penalty, and in 2026, it is costing the average Irish homeowner thousands of euros every year. If you have been with the same bank for your mortgage, life assurance, or savings for more than three years, then you are likely subsidising their new customer deals. Here is how to audit your apathy and reclaim your "Loyalty Penalty". 1. The Mortgage Gap: The Cost

When people think about their "greatest asset," they usually point to the family home or a pension pot. However there’s a silent engine behind both of those... your ability to earn an income. If your salary stopped tomorrow, how long would your lifestyle - the mortgage, the car, the schools actually last? At Citywide Financial, we see clients every day who insure their phones, their cars, and their pets, but leave their most valuable asset completely unprotected. Here is why

In Dublin's competitive property market, where house prices rose by 5.3% year on year to late 2025, every small percentage point on your mortgage counts. At Citywide Financial, we’re seeing a significant shift - your home's Building Energy Rating (BER) is no longer just about reduced heating bills - it’s now the key to unlocking some of the lowest mortgage rates in Ireland. What is a "Green Mortgage"? A green mortgage is a specialised home loan offering preferential inter

If you’ve ditched the 20-pack of Marlboro for a rechargeable vape, you probably feel like you’ve made the ultimate health (and wealth) pivot. In most areas of life, you’re probably right. However when it comes to Life Assurance and Mortgage Protection in Ireland, the underwriters see things differently. In fact, that "cleaner" habit could be costing you thousands of euros in what we call the Vaper’s Premium. The "Smoker" Label In 2026, Irish insurers are stricter than ev

As a business owner in Dublin, you likely have insurance for your office, your fleet, and your equipment, but what happens if you lose your most valuable asset - the person whose skills, contacts, or vision drive your revenue? In 2026, the Irish business landscape is more competitive than ever. Whether you lead a growing SME in Santry or a tech firm in the Silicon Docks, Key Person Insurance (often called Keyman Insurance or Business Protection) is no longer just a "nice to h

With the first month of 2026 nearly behind us, Ireland’s financial landscape has already undergone a significant shift. From the long awaited launch of pension auto-enrolment to evolving mortgage trends in the Dublin property market, staying informed is the difference between simply "getting by" and building genuine wealth. At Citywide Financial Solutions, we’ve analysed the 2026 outlook to help you navigate these changes. Here is your essential guide to managing your money t

Entering the Irish property market in 2026 requires navigating a landscape of stabilising interest rates. This guide provides the essential updates for your home-buying journey for 2026. What are the Central Bank mortgage lending rules? Understanding the Central Bank mortgage lending rules is essential for anyone planning on taking out a mortgage and buying a home in 2026. These lending rules were introduced by the Central Bank to encourage prudent borrowing & to protect th

5 Things To Review Before The New Year As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to give your finances a quick, health check and ensure everything is still aligned with your goals. This annual review is not about overhauling your strategy, but making sure your existing pensions, insurance, and mortgages remain on track for 2026. A little time spent now can prevent a lot of stress later. Use this practical, easy-to-follow guide to cover the essential elements of your

Congratulations, you've received your mortgage approval! However, if you're buying a home in Ireland, that's just the first step. We’re often asked about other associated costs with buying a home. Here's a breakdown of the extra expenses to be factored in. Stamp duty increases on high-value properties Following Budget 2025, stamp duty rates have increased, with a new 6% rate introduced for properties valued over €1.5 million. · Up to €1 million: 1%. · €1 million

Choosing the right type of insurance can feel overwhelming. Personal accident cover and income protection are two options designed to protect you financially when you're unable to work due to injury or illness. But what exactly are the differences, and which one suits your needs best? Let's break it down in this blog post. What is Income Protection? What is Income Protection Income protection is designed to replace a portion of your income (up to 75%) if you're unable to work

An ARF (Approved Retirement Fund) gives you more control over how your retirement fund is managed. An ARF allows you to remain invested in the market with the ability to control your investment and take a flexible income in retirement An ARF allows you to keep your pension savings invested as a lump sum after you retire. Instead of converting your pension fund into an annuity (a set monthly payment), an ARF gives you the flexibility to keep more control over your funds. It's

When you are planning your retirement as a business owner or a director, there are two options that may be particularly relevant to you. These are Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSA) and Master Trusts. We will breakdown the key distinctions between these two retirement products which should enable you to decide which one best suits your needs. What is a Master Trust? A Master Trust is a type of occupational pension scheme which allows multiple, unrelated employer

Paying off your mortgage early can be a great financial goal to have, but is it the right move for you? Before making a decision, you should consider the following things Savings: Do you have an emergency fund to cover between 3 and 6 months of living expenses? Penalties: Would there be early repayment charges on your mortgage? Higher-Interest Debts: Do you have debts with higher interest rates (for example a credit card) that should be prioritised? Future Potential Borrowi

Auto-enrolment (AE) is a new pension savings scheme set to start in Ireland on 1st January 2026 for certain employees who are not currently paying into a pension plan. People will be automatically included in the scheme but can opt out after 6 months. Many are now wondering if they should set up a pension plan themselves or wait for AE to be fully introduced and be automatically enrolled. In this blog we will explain the options you have available and why we think that you

Inheritance tax is usually something that people forget about until it’s too late and it often comes as a shock during a time of heightened stress. There are many ways to ensure that you’re prepared for this Revenue bill, so it’s vital to think ahead and plan for how to avoid it as much as possible. It is also important to become informed and realise how much exactly you’ll have to pay. What Is Inheritance Tax Inheritance tax (or acquisition tax) is billed against the value

There are so many different variations of insurance out there, so it can get confusing trying to figure out which exactly you need. Many people assume that they are sorted in terms of cover should they become ill once they have health insurance. However health insurance has its limitations, which often isn’t apparent until you’re faced with illness. Health insurance mainly covers medical expenses related to an illness and injury. Income protection however replaces lost incom

Many casual or social smokers would not consider themselves as real smokers. A casual smoker is someone who might have a sneaky cigarette when they have a drink on a night out. Does this classify them as official smokers? To themselves, maybe not, but in the eyes of an insurance company, this is viewed differently. The same could be said too for those who choose to vape rather than opting to smoke cigarettes. Insurance companies do not hide the fact that smokers pay more for

For many parents, ensuring their children's or grandchildren's financial security is a top priority. The question often arises: how can we support their future aspirations financially savvy and tax-efficiently? Whether it's funding higher education, starting a business, or purchasing a home, Aviva's Children's Savings Investment Trust could be the ideal solution. What is Aviva's Children's Savings Investment Trust? Aviva's Children's Savings Investment Trust is a tax-efficien

Unlocking the Benefits of a Section 73 Savings Policy When planning for the future, having a solid savings strategy is essential. One option that might not be on everyone's radar is the Section 73 savings policy. But what exactly is it, and how can it benefit you? Let's break it down in simple terms. What is Capital Acquisition Tax? Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) is a tax on gifts and inheritances. Your loved ones may receive gifts and inheritances up to a set value over t

Week after week, the income you earn goes to pay for your rent or mortgage, your bills, your car, your children's education, and care. Your income also pays for clothing and footwear, holidays, hobbies and all the other things that go to make up the life you are living right now. The demands on your income don’t stop there as you need to put monies aside for the rainy day and to ensure you have financial security in retirement. So, what would happen if, without warning, th

As a financial broker, we understand the unique challenges faced by small firms, especially those established as private companies. Often, the directors are not only the key decision-makers but also the main shareholders. One of the biggest risks to the success of your business is the unexpected death of a co-director. This unfortunate event can cause major disruptions for the surviving directors and the deceased’s estate. However, there are effective solutions to mitigate th

FAQ’s Is Income Protection worth having? Income Protection is essential for ensuring financial stability should you become ill or...

What are the Central Bank mortgage lending rules? Understanding the Central Bank mortgage lending rules is essential for anyone planning...

Your answers to these questions will determine if they are! How much debt do you have? Do you have an emergency fund in place? How much...

A Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) is a highly beneficial and tax effective retirement plan which allows you to retire...

If you’re in the process of buying your first home, you’re probably in the thick of mortgage lending rules, solicitor’s fees, surveys and...

Introduction Our society is changing and more and more people are living together in ‘non-married’ situations. The Civil Partnership and...

What is auto enrolment? Auto enrolment is a retirement savings scheme which people will automatically be enrolled in once they meet...

The Auto-enrolment scheme aims to ensure that every employee will have access to a workplace pension to supplement the state pension. The...

In order to get a mortgage in Ireland, you need to have Mortgage Protection in place. So what happens if you’re ready to close on your...

Our nurses spend their lives caring for other people when they are sick, but what happens to the nurses when they are sick? What would...

So you know you need to get Life Assurance (Insurance) and you’ve done some research. You know that Life Insurance pays out a lump sum if...

In the 2024 Budget the government included a temporary mortgage interest tax credit. This was only applicable for Interest that was paid...

Insurance companies who are members of Insurance Ireland, have signed up to a new Code of Practice called the “Insurance Ireland Code of...

Are you looking at getting a mortgage for investment properties? Our team at Citywide Financial Solutions have got you covered with all...

In simple terms, a Director’s (or Executive) pension allows the transfer of profits from your company’s bank account into your own long...

You might have spent many years saving a deposit, but when it comes to your mortgage application are you mortgage-ready? The good news is...

Many people think that Serious Illness Cover and Health Insurance are the same thing. Their main similarity is that they are both...

When Protection Is About More Than Just Money Helping Hand gives you one on one personal support with your own dedicated nurse from...

Protection from Aviva means much more than simply financial protection. Aviva Care powered by Teladoc Health, gives you four health &...

At the heart of every successful business are dedicated, talented and capable people, but none of us know what the future will bring. Key...

If you’re looking to take out Life Insurance in Ireland, but don’t want to spend a fortune, here are some tips worth reading How can I...

In this blog I look at who is liable for inheritance tax and what are some of options surrounding the liability? Who has to pay...

1.What are the latest funding rules for an Employer paying into a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA)? There is no limit on the...

Citywide Financial Provide a Free Broker Service. Apply online and get mortgage protection cover in under an hour. What is mortgage...

How does a Director's Pension work? A Directors Pension can be the most tax-efficient way for you as a director to get profits from your...