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Personal investment

Where €1 can go in Ireland, ranked by what is left after tax. Thirty-two options across the State-backed and private sectors, current at 28 August 2026.

Talk to us about your position
01

How long is the money invested for?

The horizon rules out anything that locks capital for longer than you have.

Timeframe

€
02

How much investment risk is acceptable?

Everything at or below the level you pick is shown. 1 is cash, 5 includes options that can lose everything.

Risk

03

Anything else that narrows it

Your marginal rate decides the net return on anything taxed as income — bond coupons, rent and private credit.

Refinements

Your total marginal rate on income
Provider
04

What fits those answers

Results

14 of 32 options fit, ranked by return after Irish tax on €100,000 over 10 years. Every one is open to an Irish resident, and each carries a link to where you actually go for it — the provider itself, or the Irish regulator where a category covers several. Ranking is arithmetic, not a recommendation — the top line is often the riskier one.

  1. 01

    Unit-linked life assurance fund (Zurich, Irish Life, New Ireland)

    PrivateEquitiesRisk 3/5
    3.41%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    4.00% – 7.00%
    Tax treatment
    Exit tax 38% + 1% levy (38% effective)
    Access
    Usually a 5-year exit penalty
    Minimum / cap
    €5,000 · None
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €139,838 · +€39,838
    After 2% inflation
    1.41% a year

    Simple, advised and well diversified — and expensive. A 1% government levy on the way in, typically 1%–1.75% annual management charge, plus 38% exit tax and the deemed disposal. Convenience has a real price here.

    CCPC — investments(opens in a new tab)
  2. 02

    State Savings — 10-Year National Solidarity Bond

    Public / StateCash / fixed termRisk 1/5State-guaranteed in full
    2.66%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    2.66%
    Tax treatment
    Tax-free
    Access
    10 years
    Minimum / cap
    €50 · €120,000 per person / €240,000 joint
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €130,021 · +€30,021
    After 2% inflation
    0.66% a year

    Tax-free, so worth 3.97% gross to a 33% DIRT payer.

    The AER rose 0.65 points to 2.66% — the best guaranteed tax-free rate available in Ireland, a 3.97% gross-equivalent. It locks capital for a decade, and an early exit forfeits future interest.

    Open on State Savings(opens in a new tab)
  3. 03

    State Savings — 6-Year Instalment Savings

    Public / StateRegular savingRisk 1/5State-guaranteed in full
    2.33%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    2.33%
    Tax treatment
    Tax-free
    Access
    6 years
    Minimum / cap
    €25 · €1,000 per month
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €125,901 · +€25,901
    After 2% inflation
    0.33% a year

    Tax-free, so worth 3.48% gross to a 33% DIRT payer.

    AER 2.33%, but monthly only at €25–€1,000, so it cannot absorb a lump sum. Useful for redirecting surplus income rather than for placing capital.

    • Cannot absorb a lump sum — it takes monthly contributions only.
    Open on State Savings(opens in a new tab)
  4. 04

    State Savings — 5-Year Savings Certificate

    Public / StateCash / fixed termRisk 1/5State-guaranteed in full
    2.29%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    2.29%
    Tax treatment
    Tax-free
    Access
    5 years
    Minimum / cap
    €50 · €120,000 per person / €240,000 joint
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €125,410 · +€25,410
    After 2% inflation
    0.29% a year

    Tax-free, so worth 3.42% gross to a 33% DIRT payer.

    The AER rose 0.55 points to 2.29%. Gross-equivalent 3.42% for a DIRT payer, which beats every taxed Irish deposit, with a full State guarantee and no €100,000 ceiling.

    Open on State Savings(opens in a new tab)
  5. 05

    EU fixed-term deposit through Raisin

    PrivateCash / fixed termRisk 1/5€100k deposit guarantee
    2.17%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    3.09% – 3.40%
    Tax treatment
    DIRT 33% — self-declared (33% effective)
    Access
    Locked for the term
    Minimum / cap
    €1 · €100,000 deposit guarantee per bank
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €123,997 · +€23,997
    After 2% inflation
    0.17% a year

    Best 1-year 3.40% (BluOr, Latvia), 2-year 3.39%, 3-year 3.14% (Haitong, Spain), 5-year 3.25% (Avarda, Sweden). The curve is flat, so there is nothing to gain by locking long. Each bank carries its own national €100,000 guarantee. Net of DIRT, 3.40% becomes 2.28% — less than the tax-free 10-year Solidarity Bond.

    CCPC — saving in other EU countries(opens in a new tab)
  6. 06

    Corporate / bank senior bonds

    PrivateBondsRisk 3/5
    1.99%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    3.50% – 4.80%
    Tax treatment
    Coupon at marginal rate; CGT 33% on gains (52% effective)
    Access
    Daily but thin
    Minimum / cap
    €1,000 · None
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €121,804 · +€21,804
    After 2% inflation
    -0.01% a year — loses purchasing power

    A higher yield than sovereigns in exchange for credit risk. The coupon is taxed at up to 52%, which makes these poor value outside a pension and much better inside one.

    CCPC — investments(opens in a new tab)
  7. 07

    State Savings — 3-Year Savings Bond

    Public / StateCash / fixed termRisk 1/5State-guaranteed in full
    1.96%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    1.96%
    Tax treatment
    Tax-free
    Access
    3 years (7 days' notice, forfeits interest)
    Minimum / cap
    €50 · €120,000 per person / €240,000 joint
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €121,422 · +€21,422
    After 2% inflation
    -0.04% a year — loses purchasing power

    Tax-free, so worth 2.93% gross to a 33% DIRT payer.

    The AER rose 0.64 points to 1.96% on 30 August 2026. Tax-free, so worth 2.93% gross-equivalent to a DIRT payer, and State-guaranteed in full.

    Open on State Savings(opens in a new tab)
  8. 08

    Instant-access neobank / broker cash (Trading 212, Trade Republic, Revolut)

    PrivateCashRisk 1/5€100k deposit guarantee
    1.84%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    2.00% – 3.50%
    Tax treatment
    DIRT 33% — self-declared (33% effective)
    Access
    Instant
    Minimum / cap
    €1 · €100,000 deposit guarantee per institution
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €120,030 · +€20,030
    After 2% inflation
    -0.16% a year — loses purchasing power

    Trading 212 3.50%, Trade Republic 3.04%, Bunq 3.01%, Revolut 2.00%. Interest is paid gross, so you must declare it and pay the 33% yourself. Check whether the cash is held as a deposit (guaranteed) or in a money market fund (not guaranteed, and taxed as a fund).

    CCPC — compare savings accounts(opens in a new tab)
  9. 09

    Euro sovereign / aggregate bond UCITS ETF

    Public exposureGovernment bondsRisk 2/5
    1.80%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    2.50% – 3.30%
    Tax treatment
    Exit tax 38% + 8-year deemed disposal (38% effective)
    Access
    Daily
    Minimum / cap
    €1 · None
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €119,507 · +€19,507
    After 2% inflation
    -0.20% a year — loses purchasing power

    Diversified across euro-area issuers and convenient, but the fund wrapper drags it to 38% and the deemed-disposal clock applies. Direct bonds or a pension give the same exposure more efficiently.

    How ETFs are taxed in Ireland(opens in a new tab)
  10. 10

    Irish Government bonds — direct (10-year)

    Public / StateGovernment bondsRisk 2/5
    1.58%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    3.20% – 3.39%
    Tax treatment
    Coupon at marginal rate; gains CGT-exempt (52% effective)
    Access
    Daily, through a broker
    Minimum / cap
    €1,000 · None
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €116,990 · +€16,990
    After 2% inflation
    -0.42% a year — loses purchasing power

    Yielding 3.39% at 27 August 2026, forecast near 3.20% in twelve months. Gains on Irish government bonds are CGT-exempt, but the coupon is taxed at up to 52% — so a low-coupon bond bought below par is far more tax-efficient than a high-coupon one. The price falls if rates rise.

    NTMA — Irish government bonds(opens in a new tab)
  11. 11

    Post Office Savings Bank deposit account

    Public / StateCashRisk 1/5State-guaranteed in full
    0.84%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    1.25%
    Tax treatment
    DIRT 33% (33% effective)
    Access
    Instant access
    Minimum / cap
    €50 · €250,000 per person
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €108,698 · +€8,698
    After 2% inflation
    -1.16% a year — loses purchasing power

    State-guaranteed in full, not just to €100,000. The rate rose from 0.75% to 1.25% on 30 August 2026. The best home for a large emergency buffer that has to be completely safe.

    Open on State Savings(opens in a new tab)
  12. 12

    Prize Bonds

    Public / StateCashRisk 1/5State-guaranteed in full
    0.75%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    0.00% – 1.50%
    Tax treatment
    Prizes tax-free
    Access
    90-day minimum, then on demand
    Minimum / cap
    €25 · €250,000 per person / €500,000 joint
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €107,758 · +€7,758
    After 2% inflation
    -1.25% a year — loses purchasing power

    Tax-free, so worth 1.12% gross to a 33% DIRT payer.

    The prize fund rate rose from 1.00% to 1.50% on 1 September 2026, but there is no guaranteed return at all and most holders get well below 1.5%. Capital is fully State-guaranteed. Treat it as safe cash with a lottery ticket attached, not as an investment.

    Open Prize Bonds(opens in a new tab)
  13. 13

    Irish pillar bank deposit (AIB / Bank of Ireland / PTSB)

    PrivateCashRisk 1/5€100k deposit guarantee
    0.67%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    0.75% – 1.25%
    Tax treatment
    DIRT 33% (33% effective)
    Access
    7–32 days' notice
    Minimum / cap
    €1 · €100,000 deposit guarantee cover
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €106,906 · +€6,906
    After 2% inflation
    -1.33% a year — loses purchasing power

    AIB 0.75% on 7-day notice, Bank of Ireland 1.00% on 31-day, PTSB 1.25% on 32-day. Several instant-access alternatives pay more than these notice accounts.

    CCPC — compare savings accounts(opens in a new tab)
  14. 14

    Credit union share / deposit account

    Member-ownedCashRisk 1/5€100k deposit guarantee
    0.35%a year, after Irish tax
    Gross return
    0.05% – 1.00%
    Tax treatment
    DIRT 33% (33% effective)
    Access
    Instant to 30 days
    Minimum / cap
    €5 · Often €40,000–€100,000
    Value after 10 years, at the mid of the range
    €103,574 · +€3,574
    After 2% inflation
    -1.65% a year — loses purchasing power

    Community-owned and covered by the deposit guarantee, but dividends are decided retrospectively and most pay well under 1%. Many cap large balances, so it is not a home for six figures.

    Find your credit union(opens in a new tab)
18 options ruled out, and why
  • Executive pension / occupational scheme — Locks capital for 15 years, beyond a 3–10 years horizon.
  • PRSA — employer-funded by your company — Locks capital for 15 years, beyond a 3–10 years horizon.
  • AVCs to your existing employer scheme — Locks capital for 15 years, beyond a 3–10 years horizon.
  • Approved Retirement Fund (post-retirement) — Locks capital for 15 years, beyond a 3–10 years horizon.
  • Irish listed equities — direct shares (ISEQ) — Risk 4 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Global equity UCITS ETF (all-world accumulating) — Risk 4 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Investment trusts (UK / EU closed-ended) — Risk 4 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • IRES REIT / listed property — Risk 4 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Direct buy-to-let residential property — Risk 4 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Property inside a self-administered pension — Locks capital for 15 years, beyond a 3–10 years horizon.
  • EIIS fund (Davy/BDO, Goodbody, Cantor, BVP, Quintas, Elkstone) — Risk 5 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Angel investment in innovative start-ups — Risk 5 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Private equity / venture capital fund — Risk 5 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Private credit / direct lending fund — Risk 4 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Peer-to-peer property lending (e.g. Property Bridges) — Risk 5 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Investing in or expanding your own company — Risk 5 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Gold / commodity ETC — Risk 4 of 5 is above the level you set.
  • Crypto assets — Risk 5 of 5 is above the level you set.

Rates, reliefs and thresholds are current at 28 August 2026 and change with each Budget and Finance Act. Deposit, State Savings and bond yields are contractual and quoted as such; every other range is long-run and illustrative, not a forecast, and real outcomes can be negative. Ireland Fintax advises on the tax treatment of an investment, not on the investment itself — we are not investment advisers and we do not recommend products. Before committing capital, take advice from an adviser authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Talk to us about the tax side

The wrapper decides the tax, not the asset

Two people can hold the same index of shares and be taxed under entirely different rules — one under capital gains tax, the other under the exit tax regime that applies to funds. The rate, the deadline, the form and the treatment of losses all change with it. Before anything else, we work out which set of rules you are in.

We advise on the tax consequences of an investment you hold or are considering. We are not investment advisers and we do not recommend products — for that you need an authorised adviser, and we are happy to work alongside yours.

Shares held directly

Gains on disposal fall under capital gains tax, with your annual personal exemption and any allowable losses set against them first. Dividends are income, taxed at your marginal rate, with withholding tax credited against the bill.

Funds and ETFs

Irish and EU funds sit outside the CGT rules entirely. They carry their own exit tax, charged on a disposal and again on a deemed disposal every eight years even if you have sold nothing — the single most common surprise we see.

Deposit interest

Interest from Irish deposit accounts is taxed at source. Interest from an account held abroad is not, so it has to be declared, and that is where most non-compliance starts.

Rental income

Rent is assessed as income after allowable expenses, mortgage interest and capital allowances on fittings. A later sale of the property is a separate capital gains event.

Pensions and approved schemes

Contributions attract relief at your marginal rate within age-related limits, and the fund grows free of Irish tax until it is drawn down. For most people this is the first place a euro of investable income should go.

Gifts, inheritance and transfers

Passing an asset on is a capital acquisitions tax question for the person receiving it and, often, a capital gains question for the person giving it. The two are assessed separately on the same transaction.

How we work through it

01

Establish the wrapper

Direct shares, a fund, a pension or a property are four different tax regimes. Identifying which one applies decides everything that follows, so it is the first question, not the last.

02

Separate income from gains

Dividends, interest and rent are taxed as they arise. Gains are taxed when you dispose. They have different rates, different deadlines and different forms, and mixing them up is what triggers most Revenue correspondence.

03

Apply reliefs and losses

Annual exemptions, carried-forward losses, relief on retirement or transfer of a business, and the credits already withheld at source. These are claimed, not applied automatically.

04

File the right return on time

Capital gains have payment dates that do not line up with the income tax return, and a deemed disposal has no cash proceeds behind it. We tell you what falls due and when.

Calculators that already cover part of this

The planner compares options. These put a number on the tax that falls due once you have picked one.

Capital gains tax calculator Gains on shares and property, with indexation relief on pre-2003 acquisitions.Gift & inheritance tax calculator Capital acquisitions tax thresholds, group bands and the main reliefs.Income tax calculator Income tax, USC and PRSI — the marginal rate that dividends and rent are taxed at.Mortgage calculator Compare repayments across Irish lenders before you commit capital to a home.

Where these figures come from

Every rate, limit and yield in the planner, with the source it was taken from. All checked at 28 August 2026.

General information only, current at the date of publication. Rates, thresholds and reliefs change with each Budget and Finance Act, and how they apply depends on your own circumstances. Take advice before you act on any of it.

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