There are no set-up fees with our loans. In certain situations, for example missed payments, fees and penalties may apply.

To apply for a loan, you must be over 18 and a resident of the Republic of Ireland. The personal loan is unsecured and is subject to your repayment capacity, financial profile and a credit check.

We will need proof of identity, address and income to process your loan application.

Proof of identity

You must send one piece of photographic evidence that is in date. We accept any of the following:

• Passport – please make sure that when you take a photo of your passport, pages three and four are both clearly visible
• Driving licence – you can use either the old paper licence or new card format but please make sure your name, photo and the expiry date are clearly visible
• Immigration or Garda age card - please make sure that the photo you take of your card clearly shows your name, photo and expiry date

Proof of address

We will need one of the following documents, dated within the last three months:

• Utility bill
• Any bank correspndence displaying the customer's bank account number
• Any revenue correspondance 
• Any social welfare correspondance displaying the customer's PPS number
• Any insurance correspondance displaying the customer's policy number (including; home, life, car, health)
• Littlewoods correspondance displaying the customer's account number
• Road Safety Authority / National Driving Licence Service / correspondance such as NCT - National Car Test Report
• Any correspondance issued from or on behalf of a government body or local county council 

When taking a photo of your proof of address, we need to see the full page clearly. Please ensure the image is not blurry so we can verify your address.

Proof of income

To verify your income we need to see your most recent personal bank statements for the account that your income is paid into. These should show your name and address. Bank statements can be downloaded as a PDF from all bank websites, on all devices.

If you are self employed, you can use your tax assessment forms for the last two years. These documents, which must include tax returns and Revenue acceptance forms, can be obtained from your accountant or from Revenue.

If your income is not paid into your account, you can use a photo or PDF of a payslip, social welfare receipt, your most recent pension statement or tax certificate.

You need to include information about all rents and mortgages that you currently have.

We don’t accept joint applications at this time but you can include income from another household member in your application, with their consent. If you do this, we will require their personal documents as well.

The application process is an online one and documents can only be uploaded through our Document Centre. Please don't post your documents but check out our guide to uploading them online.

The Central Credit Register (CCR) is a new secure system for collecting information on credit applications and credit agreements of €500 or more.

It is owned and operated by the Central Bank of Ireland. We share your information with the CCR, which uses it to create individual credit reports.

The Central Bank owns the information held on the CCR and is the data controller under the Data Protection Acts. You have a right to request your credit report, free of charge, at any time and subject to fair usage.

Find out more about what the CCR means for your loan application.

To see the information on your credit report you can request a copy at www.centralcreditregister.ie

During the loan application process, we’ll tell you exactly how much you will have to repay including interest, depending on the size and term of your loan.

The interest rates that apply to your loan will also be detailed on your loan credit agreement. We will assign you the appropriate rate for you based on your financial profile and credit history once your application has been reviewed.

Choose the type of repayment plan that suits both your financial circumstances and the type of loan you want. Minimum loan term is 12 months and maximum term is 120 months, depending on the type of loan you are applying for.

Our personal loan interest rates are fixed for the duration of the loan and, if you choose to pay the loan off early, you will not incur any early repayment penalties.

Find out more about what you should do if you are struggling with your repayments.

We will assign you the appropriate rate for you based on your financial profile and credit history once your application has been reviewed. Check out our great fixed rates here.

You can make repayments on your loan automatically by direct debit, according to the terms of your loan agreement. Please see question below on ‘How do I set up or amend a direct debit?’

If you’re late with a payment, you can use your debit card to make it, by calling us on 0818 205 410.

If your monthly repayment doesn’t reach your loan account by the required date, there’ll be a €10 fee, which will be applied each time this happens.

You should also immediately pay the amount of any missed payment. You can do this by using your debit card - just call us on 0818 205 410.

Your Direct Debit payment will be debited from your bank account on the payment due date as specified in your Personal Loan agreement. If the payment is due on a Sunday or Bank holiday it will be deducted from your bank account on either the same, or next business day. 
To change your payment date to one that suits you better, you can call us on 0818 205 410.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, there are steps you can take to deal with the situation. First, you should carry out a thorough review of your financial circumstances. You can do this by:

• Using the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s free budget planner 
• Getting information and advice from MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service
• Checking if you have insurance such as payment protection insurance which would allow you to make a claim

Then call us with the details of your finances on 0818 211 555 and we’ll discuss the options available to you.

How can I reduce my spending?

The best way to cut your spending is to create a budget. As most bills are paid monthly, work out how much you earn each month and then how much you spend in a month. 

The following tips can help you to reduce non-essential spending:

• Set up direct debits so you don’t forget to make regular payments
• Review your service providers to see if you can reduce bills such as electricity or gas
• Set aside money for expected and unexpected expenses such as medical bills
• Draw up a shopping and stick to it and avoid additional top-up shops during the week
• Cut out impulse purchases
• Save for occasional treats like holidays

What resources are available to help me reduce my spending?

Websites such as consumerhelp.ie offer a free comparison service on household bills like gas, electricity, phone, broadband and mortgage and may help reduce expenditure.

If you would like us to help you review your financial situation, use our Income and Expenditure form. Just print, complete and return it to us at: An Post Money Customer Assistance Team, PO Box 25, Dublin Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.

How can I reduce what I already owe?

Once your monthly budget is in place and you start reducing your expenditure, contact your lenders and creditors. We can help you tackle your debts so ensure you contact us to let us know you are in difficulty.

If I owe money what charges may apply?

You will be charged a €10 fee if your loan account falls into arrears.

This will apply each time your monthly repayment does not reach your loan account in cleared funds by the payment date. We will add this default charge directly to your account.

You may be charged the following fees if you miss a payment on your credit card:

• Late fee of €15.24 each time your minimum payment does not reach your account in cleared funds by payment due date. Your minimum payment must be cleared in your account before this date to comply with your Avantcard agreement. Accounts with payments received after the due date shown on your statement are subject to late fees.
• Over-limit fee of €12.70 will be charged if your account has exceeded its credit limit at any time during that statement period.  This is a once-off fee during a statement period.
• Returned payment fee of €19.05 will be charged each time we return a direct debit or another item for payment into your account.

If you are experiencing difficulties, call us on 0818 205 410 and we can go through a quote with you over the phone or make any changes and amendments you require to your application form.

Please call us on 0818 205 410 to make suitable arrangements for repaying your personal loan.

Once your application has been approved in principle, we’ll send you an email which will outline your approved terms, including your interest rate. There will also be a link to our document hub. This is where you will upload the documents so we can finalise your application and send your loan amount straight into your current account.

• Improve the comfort of your home by reducing heat loss and draughts. 
• Reduce air pollutants from entering your home by sealing it off better.
• Reduce your heating bills by increasing energy efficiency and using renewable energy systems.
• Use government grants while they are available to help pay for energy improvements to your home.
• Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by operating a more energy efficient home.

We will need proof of identity, address, income and the works to be carried out in order to process your loan application.

Proof of identity

You must send one piece of photographic evidence that is in date. We accept any of the following:
 

• Passport - please make sure that when you take a photo of your passport, pages three and four are both clearly visible
• Driving licence - you can use either the old paper licence or new card format but please make sure your name, photo and the expiry date are clearly visible
• Immigration or Garda age card - please make sure that the photo you take of your card clearly shows your name, photo and expiry date

Proof of address

We will need one of the following documents, dated within the last three months:
 

• Utility bill
• Bank or credit union statement
• P60
• Revenue document
• Social insurance document
• Household or motor insurance certificate

When taking a photo of your proof of address, we need to see the full page clearly. Please ensure the image is not blurry so we can verify your address

Proof of income

To verify your income we need to see personal bank statements for the last three months for the account that your income is paid into.  These should show your name and address. Bank statements can be downloaded as a PDF from all bank websites, on all devices.

If you are self employed, you can use your tax assessment forms for the last two years. These documents, which must include tax returns and Revenue acceptance forms, can be obtained from your accountant or from Revenue.

If your income is not paid into your account, you can use a photo or PDF of a payslip, social welfare receipt, your most recent pension statement or tax certificate.

Proof of works

SEAI Grant - Declaration of Works - Part 1 to Part 2(a) to be completed by you and your registered contractor to commence your loan application.

We may request a further assessment of your financial situation to confirm that your financial circumstances remain unchanged. It is important to be aware that if this further assessment deems that your financial situation at that point is unable to support the loan we will not be able to proceed with the loan application.

Completed Declaration of Works Document following completion of works. This document is required to be submitted to finalise your loan.

You must meet all of the following conditions:

1. Your home must have been built and occupied before 2006. If you want to install a heat pump system or solar water heating your home must have been built and occupied before 2011. This is defined by the date your electricity meter was installed.
2. The work must be performed by a contractor registered with the SEAI. Please read the FAQ on home energy upgrades to see the types of work eligible for an SEAI grant.

Even in Ireland's climate, solar energy can help generate electricity or heat water. You can power the electrical devices in your home, like your kettle, fridge, shower and TV. Solar thermal collectors will also reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your water, by supplying hot water to your hot water cylinder.

Normally, solar panels are installed on your roof depending on the orientation of your house and the condition of your roof. In the case of solar thermal panels, it is likely that you will require a bigger hot water cylinder.  This may reduce the space in the cupboard or room where it is located.

You must be over 18 and a resident of the Republic of Ireland. The personal loan is unsecured and is subject to your repayment capacity, financial profile and a credit check.

An Post Money Green Home Improvement Loan
Loans are available from €5,000 up to €75,000 with terms up to 10 years.  The cost of the home energy upgrade work must be more than 50% of the amount you borrow.

The work must be performed by an SEAI-registered contractor and approved for grants by the SEAI in advance.  You must submit an SEAI 'Declaration of Works' document with your loan application.
  
An Post Money Green Electric Car Loan
For an electric car, the minimum loan amount is €20,000 for terms up to 7 years.  The loan can cover the purchase of a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle for private or commercial use, as well as the installation of a home charger.  The purchase must be supported by an SEAI grant, arranged by the vehicle dealer.
 
A car dealership quotation showing the price, make and model of the vehicle is required.

Older gas and oil-fired boilers waste energy and are expensive to use. Installing a heat pump can transform the comfort levels in your home while reducing running costs, energy usage and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. As part of an extensive home energy upgrade, a heat pump will eliminate your oil and gas bills.

Heat pumps can use an air, ground or water source. The most common system extracts heat from external air using an outside unit. This does not need underground piping to source heat and so is easier to install.

Air to water heat pumps are the most popular choice.  Heat is distributed through radiators or underfloor heating and also can produce hot water.  Heat pumps use lower temperature water, so it may be necessary to replace existing radiators with low temperature radiators.  This new system lets you set specific heating times and temperatures for different areas in your home.

In order to receive a government grant payment from the SEAI, you must have a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate that proves your home has improved energy efficiency.  The home energy upgrade service team will take care of this for you.

You can lose about 10% of your home's heat through draughts and air leakages depending on the age of your windows and doors. If you've well insulated walls and attic, then the heat lost through old windows and doors will be even greater. Generally, replacement to current standards will be necessary as part of a full energy upgrade in order to meet minimum energy rating requirements.

During the pre-works survey, your contractor will measure the windows and doors to be replaced. Once the specification and costs are agreed, the contractor will send the dimensions to the supplier to be manufactured. The standard waiting time is 4-5 weeks from order to installation.

1. You must be over 18 and a resident of the Republic of Ireland. The personal loan is unsecured and is subject to your repayment capacity, financial profile and a credit check.
2. The home energy upgrade work must be eligible for SEAI grants.
3. The cost of the home energy upgrade work must be more than 50% of the amount you borrow.
4. You must submit an SEAI 'Declaration of Works' document with your loan application proving the grant applicable works.

Up to 35% of your home's heat can be lost through external walls. This heat loss can be reduced by insulating the walls to keep more heat inside your home.
There are three different ways to insulate your walls: cavity, external and internal insulation. These can be used on their own or in combination depending on your existing wall construction.  Additional internal ventilation is needed when your walls are insulated. Your contractor will assess the best method and discuss this with you before the work begins.

Cavity wall insulation
If your home has cavity walls which are not insulated or only partially insulated, then cavity wall insulation is an easy, cost effective first step to reduce heat loss.

If your home has a cavity wall, insulation is pumped into the cavity. A series of small holes are drilled in the wall at regular intervals on the outside. Insulation is pumped into the cavity through these holes.  The holes are then filled so they match the rest of the wall.

External wall insulation
For solid block or concrete walls with no cavity, external wall insulation is generally the preferred option. It can also be used with cavity wall insulation to further improve the performance of your external walls.  External wall insulation involves wrapping a layer of rigid insulation around your home, fixing it to the walls, embedding mesh in it to provide strength, and covering it in a render to provide weather resistance.

Internal wall insulation
Internal wall insulation might be recommended for your home because it has solid or cavity block walls and external insulation is either not possible (i.e. for some protected structures) or is not considered the best solution.

Internal insulation (sometimes referred to as 'drylining') usually involves fixing insulation boards to the inside of the external walls and covering them with a vapour control layer, plasterboard, skim and new painting.  As the boards are applied to the inner side of the walls, there will be some loss of space in the rooms.

Renewable energy systems generate heat or electricity from free energy sources without the need to burn fossil fuels. They include heat pumps, solar water heating panels and solar photovoltaic panels.

1. Decide what energy upgrades best suit your home.
2. Choose an SEAI registered contractor and agree scope of works. For a heat pump, consult an advisor first.
3. Apply for a home energy grant. Complete Part 1-2a of the SEAI Declaration of Work document(s).
4. Get a written contract.  Complete work within 8 months.  Sign off.
5. Get an SEAI registered Building Energy Rating (BER) assessor to certify your improved home energy performance.
6. Submit new BER certificate and declaration of works. Timely and complete submissions receive SEAI payment within four weeks.

Modern room heating stoves are highly efficient. Compared to a traditional open fire, they provide three times the heat and use only a quarter of the fuel. A wood burning stove with a minimum efficiency of 70% may be proposed for your home.

The installation of the wood burning stove can be carried out within a single day. After removing the existing fire grate and surround, a new metal flue liner will be installed in your chimney.

During the loan application process, we'll tell you exactly how much you will have to repay including interest, depending on the size and term of your loan.

The interest rates that apply to your loan will also be detailed on your loan credit agreement. We will assign you the appropriate rate for you based on your financial profile and credit history once your application has been reviewed.

Since heat rises, up to 30% of your home's heat can be lost through your roof. Insulating your attic space keeps the heat below the ceiling and in the rooms below, thus reducing heat loss.

If you have an attic, a thick layer of insulating material will be rolled out over the ceiling below.  The water tank and pipework will also need to be insulated, and a walkway and ventilation provided. It is also possible to insulate sloping ceilings or flat roofs where necessary. With the new insulation, proper attic ventilation is very important.  It reduces the risk of condensation build-up in the attic space, which can reduce the effectiveness of your insulation and cause damage to your roof structure.

A Building Energy Rating (BER) is based on the estimated carbon dioxide emitted by annual energy usage in that building. A BER assessor estimates the heat produced by appliances and sunlight through windows and the heat lost through the walls, floors and roof. Based on the size of the building, the number of occupants and the efficiency of the heating system, a BER is determined by how much heat is required to keep the building warm and the water hot.

Up to 10% of your home's heat can be lost through your floors. As with attic and walls, this heat loss can be reduced by insulating the floors so that more heat is retained inside your home. However, upgrading the floor insulation is dependent on the existing floor construction.

Different approaches will be needed depending on whether you have a solid ground floor, a suspended concrete floor or a suspended timber floor.  In some cases, it may be possible to lay insulation on top of the existing construction.  In other cases, it will be necessary to fit insulation to the underside of the concrete or timber structure.

To find out if a contractor is SEAI registered, please search here.

Proper ventilation improves the air quality in your home. It's very important for your health and your home itself. As the airtightness of your home is increased, good ventilation becomes essential to improve indoor air quality and reduce the possibility of condensation or mould.

If your home is going to be fully insulated and new windows and doors are installed, then a new ventilation system will be necessary. Typically, a Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system or a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system will be required.

What difference does a new ventilation system make?
Proper ventilation removes stale air and odours and ensures that fresh air is circulated throughout your home at all times. This does not mean your home will be colder or draughty, but that the warm air will not be harmful. You may be able to hear air coming in through the vents. This is normal.

Measure	Energy	Payback
Roof insulation	Reduces current heat loss by up to 95% through better roof insulation	5-20 years
Wall insulation	Reduces current heat loss by up to 95% through better wall insulation	5-20 years
Door and window replacement	Reduces current heat loss by up to 95% through better seals and new double or triple glazed windows	5-20 years
Boiler upgrade	Reduces current fuel consumption by 5-15% by upgrading to a new high efficiency boiler	5-10 years
Home automation	Reduces current energy usage by up to 15% through centralised control of heating, ventilation and lighting	3-10 years
Heat pump installation	Reduces current energy usage by up to 70% through heat extraction from outside air, water or soil using a heat pump	5-15 years
Lighting improvement	Reduces current usage by up to 80% by using low energy bulbs	2-8 years