Vacant Property Grants Ireland 2026

Ireland's Vacant Property Problem — and the Grants Addressing It

Ireland has an estimated 160,000+ long-term vacant properties, many of them structurally sound but requiring investment to bring back into habitable use. Since 2022, the Irish government has introduced and expanded several grant schemes specifically to incentivise owners and buyers to renovate and occupy these properties. The schemes are generous — reflecting the severity of the housing crisis and the government's desire to activate existing stock rather than build new.

Croí Cónaithe — Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

The Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is the flagship vacant property scheme. It provides direct grant funding to people who purchase and refurbish (or refurbish their own) a vacant or derelict property for use as their principal private residence.

Grant amounts

• €50,000 for a property vacant for 2+ years
• €70,000 for a property on the derelict sites register
• Applies to the cost of refurbishment works — not the purchase price

Eligibility

• Property must have been vacant for at least 2 continuous years
• Property must be used as your principal private residence after works (you must live there)
• Available nationwide — all 26 counties, cities, towns, and rural areas
• No means test — there is no income limit
• Available for buyers purchasing a vacant property to renovate, as well as existing owners
• Works must be completed by a registered contractor and meet building standards

What the grant covers

The grant covers the cost of qualifying refurbishment works, which include structural repairs, roofing, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical systems, insulation, kitchen and bathroom fit-out, and other works needed to bring the property to a habitable standard. The grant does not cover the purchase price of the property itself.

10-year clawback

If you sell the property within 10 years of receiving the grant, a clawback applies — proportional to how many years remain within the 10-year period. After 10 years, no clawback applies and you keep the full grant benefit.

Combining Croí Cónaithe with SEAI

The Croí Cónaithe grant and SEAI energy grants can be used on the same property. Croí Cónaithe covers general structural and renovation works, while SEAI covers energy-specific measures (insulation, heat pump, solar). A derelict property could potentially access up to €70,000 (Croí Cónaithe) + €50,000 (SEAI One Stop Shop) = €120,000 in combined grant funding. See our full Croí Cónaithe guide.

Vacant Above the Shop Grant (VATS)

The Vacant Above the Shop Grant (VATS) addresses the widespread problem of vacant upper floors above commercial premises in Irish town centres. First floors and upper levels of shops, pubs, and other commercial buildings often sit empty while housing demand remains acute. This grant funds the conversion of that space into residential units.

Grant amounts

• Up to €50,000 per unit in cities and larger towns
• Up to €95,000 per unit in smaller towns and rural areas (population under 10,000)
• A single building with multiple upper floors can qualify for multiple grant units

Eligibility

• Must be a property owner or long-term lessee of a commercial premises
• Upper floors must be currently vacant or underused
• Property must be in a qualifying town or city as designated by the local authority
• Planning permission required if changing use or making structural alterations

Contact your local authority to confirm whether your town or area is a designated VATS zone. Not all areas are eligible. See our full Vacant Above the Shop guide.

Repair and Leasing Scheme

The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) takes a different approach: the local authority funds repairs on your vacant property (up to €80,000), then leases the property for social housing. You retain ownership and receive rental income — after the repair costs are recouped — for the duration of the lease.

Key features

• Up to €80,000 in repair funding (not a grant — an advance against rental income)
• Lease term: 10–25 years
• Rental income: typically 80–85% of open market rent
• Local authority manages tenant finding and maintenance during the lease
• Property returns to you in good condition at end of lease

This scheme suits owners who want to bring a vacant property into use without the cost or hassle of managing it themselves. See our full Repair and Leasing guide.

Ready to Build Scheme

The Ready to Build scheme provides serviced sites (with planning permission and infrastructure in place) at below-market rates in rural towns and villages, to enable the construction of new homes in areas where housing is needed. Unlike the other vacant property schemes, this is for new build rather than renovation. Eligibility and site availability is determined by each local authority.

Comparing the Vacant Property Grant Schemes

• Want to live in the property yourself? Croí Cónaithe is your primary route
• Own a vacant property but don't want to manage it? Repair and Leasing Scheme
• Own commercial premises with empty upper floors? Vacant Above the Shop grant
• Looking for a site to build in a rural town? Ready to Build

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Croí Cónaithe grant available in cities?

Yes. The Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available nationwide — including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and all other cities, as well as towns and rural areas. There is no geographic restriction beyond being in the Republic of Ireland.

Can I combine Croí Cónaithe with the Help to Buy scheme?

It depends on the property type. Help to Buy is for new builds and first-time buyers. Croí Cónaithe is for renovation of vacant existing properties. In most cases the same property would not qualify for both — but a first-time buyer renovating a derelict property could potentially use Croí Cónaithe alongside SEAI grants. Always confirm eligibility with your local authority and Revenue.

How do I prove a property has been vacant for 2 years?

Your local authority will assess vacancy evidence as part of the Croí Cónaithe application process. Evidence can include utility records, Eircode checks, property register searches, and local authority vacancy registers. The property does not need to be on an official register — the local authority makes the determination.

Can I rent out the property after using Croí Cónaithe?

No. The Croí Cónaithe grant requires the property to be used as your principal private residence. You must live there yourself. Renting it out would breach the grant terms and trigger the clawback provision. If you want to renovate and rent a vacant property, consider the Repair and Leasing Scheme instead.

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