How do credit limits work in Ireland?
Your credit limit restricts how much you can borrow on your credit card. Here’s what you need to know about credit card limits and how to use your card responsibly to get better credit.
Credit card limits in Ireland, at a glance
What is a credit limit?
Your credit limit is the maximum amount you can borrow on your credit card at any one time.
For example, if your credit limit is €1,500 you can owe up to that amount on your card before transactions may be declined or additional charges apply, depending on the card provider.
When you apply for a credit card:
How is your credit limit calculated?
When you apply for a credit card, your bank or credit card issuer will check your credit history to help decide whether to approve your application and what your credit limit will be.
You can find out about your credit record in our guide How to check your credit record.
Credit limits are also based on other factors including:
- Income and outgoings e.g salary income and regular expenditure
- Existing credit commitments e.g. other loans, overdrafts, credit cards
- Credit score e.g. your repayment and previous borrowing history
Each bank or card issuer has its own lending policy, but all use the Central Credit Register to check your credit history.
What credit card limit will you get?
There’s no way to know your exact credit card limit in advance, but you can get a rough idea by considering a few key factors.
Higher starting limit
- If you have a steady income
- Have little existing debt and
- A history of timely repayments
Lower starting limit
- Are new to credit
- Have missed payments in the past
- Have loans or credit cards with high balances
Lenders use affordability checks to ensure borrowing remains manageable, so the limit offered is not just about income, it’s about overall financial position.
Why some credit cards start with a low limit
In Ireland, many credit cards start with a lower initial credit limit, particularly for first-time cardholders or those with limited credit history.
Typical starting limits are often in the range of €500 to €2,000.
A lower starting limit helps lenders manage risk and ensures borrowing remains affordable. They are common and don’t necessarily reflect poor credit, but are often part of normal lending policy.
What are the minimum and maximum limits in Ireland?
There is no fixed credit card limit that applies to everyone in Ireland. Instead, lenders set limits based on individual affordability and credit checks.
That said, most credit card limits fall within a typical range.
| Type of credit limit | What it usually looks like | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum credit limit | Often starts at around €500, particularly for new or first-time cardholders | |
| Typical credit limit | Commonly ranges from €1,000 to €5,000, depending on income and credit history | |
| Higher credit limits | Can exceed €5,000 for borrowers with strong credit profiles and higher incomes |
What is AIB’s credit card limit?
AIB calculates your limit based on your income and borrowing history, and your exact limit can be confirmed once your credit card is approved.
In general, some in-app credit card limits can reach €10,000 and you can contact your lender to discuss applications greater than that.
Combined credit card limits
Your combined credit card limit is the total amount of credit available to you across all your credit cards.
For example, if you have:
Your combined credit limit is €5,000 even if you rarely use both cards.
Lenders may consider your combined credit limit when assessing affordability for new credit, as it represents your total potential borrowing.
How do you increase your credit limit?
If you want to increase your credit limit you can make a request to your credit card provider, but you may need to complete a fresh application and check your credit record.
Managing your existing credit responsibly can help build your credit score and improve your chances of being approved for a bigger credit limit.
After you’ve demonstrated that you can reliably make repayments for up to six months, it is worth asking your card issuer to increase your credit limit.
How often can you increase your credit card limit?
There’s no fixed rule for how often you can increase your credit card limit in Ireland, but most lenders allow reviews every 6 to 12 months.
You may be able to request a limit increase if:
It’s important to note that increasing your credit limit increases your potential borrowing, so you should only request an increase if it’s affordable for you.
Why do banks reduce credit limits?
Your credit limit may be reduced for several reasons. It could be because:
Your bank or credit card provider will inform you by email or letter. The limit decrease will also show on your online account or banking app immediately where you’ll see your spending limit.
A reduced credit limit may impact your overall available credit and negatively impact your credit score.
What happens if you go over your credit limit?
If you spend more than your credit limit, your transaction may be declined.
Some card issuers may allow you to go over your limit and charge an overlimit fee, while others block the transaction entirely.
This fee varies between providers and will be applied every month you exceed your credit limit. For example, it’s €12.70 with An Post, and €7.00 with AIB.
You could also lose any promotional rates you have and it will affect how the bank views your ability to repay.
Exceeding your credit limit will also have a negative effect on your credit rating, which could make future borrowing more expensive or harder to get.
Can you decrease your own credit limit?
Yes, you can request a decrease in your credit limit, as long as your new limit isn’t below the balance still outstanding on your account.
Lowering your limit reduces your available credit, which may affect how future lenders assess your borrowing capacity.
How do you increase Bank of Ireland’s credit card limit?
Bank of Ireland’s credit card limit will vary based on your income and borrowing history, and will be confirmed when your application is approved.
You can request an increase your credit card limit by completing a short online form, with an expected response with one working day.
You cannot apply for an increase in your credit card limit if you have already done so in the last six months.
How to check your credit card limit
Most Irish banks clearly show your approved credit card limit in the places you already manage your account.
You can usually check your credit card limit:
- In your banking app
- On your monthly credit card statement
- In online banking, typically under card details or account information.
For example, providers such as AIB, Bank of Ireland, Avant and A Post display your current credit limit directly in their apps or online banking platforms.
If you’re unsure where to find it, your bank’s customer support team can confirm your limit for you.
Do credit limits affect your credit record?
Your credit limit will not affect your credit score, but your spending behaviour within the limit may affect your credit history if you fall behind on repayments.
Lenders view you more favourably if you stay well within your credit limit. It’s suggested a good threshold is below 30% of your credit limit each month.
If you go over your credit limit on a regular basis or miss repayments, your record may well affect your credit score.
Is your credit rating affected if you go over the limit?
It depends on the card issuer and whether they report it to the Central Credit Register (CCR). If it is a one-off occurrence and the breach is quickly rectified it is unlikely to affect your credit score; however, you will be charged an overlimit fee.
However, if you repeatedly exceed your credit limit, it is viewed as a red flag by your lender. If you default on your payments, the CCR will be notified and your credit score will be negatively affected.
Irish lenders may assess missed payments and credit utilisation using credit information held on the Central Credit Register (CCR), and in some cases private credit bureaus, in line with consumer protection rules overseen by the Central Bank of Ireland.
How to use your credit card responsibly
Credit card limits FAQs
Can I spend more than my credit card limit if I pay it off straight away?
In most cases, no. Your credit card limit is the maximum balance allowed at any one time. Even if you plan to pay the amount off immediately, transactions that would take you over your limit may be declined.
Some cards may allow temporary overlimit spending, but this depends on the provider and may involve fees or additional checks.
Is it bad to use all of my credit card limit?
Using most or all of your credit card limit can be a sign of high credit utilisation, which lenders may view as higher risk.
Keeping some available credit and repaying balances in full or on time can help demonstrate responsible borrowing.
Can my bank lower my credit card limit?
Yes. A lender can reduce your credit card limit, for example if your income changes, your credit profile worsens, or as part of a wider review of lending risk.
You should normally be notified if your limit is reduced.
Why might my credit card limit increase automatically?
Some Irish lenders offer automatic credit limit increases after a period of responsible use, such as making repayments on time and keeping balances manageable.
Automatic increases are still subject to affordability checks and can usually be declined if you prefer not to increase your limit.
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