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.
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 incurring extra charges. 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.
Increasing 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 to use your credit card responsibly
What happens if I exceed my credit limit?
If you spend more than your credit limit, your bank or card issuer will charge you an overlimit fee.
This fee varies between provider and will be applied every month you exceed your credit limit. As example, it’s €12.70 with An Post, and €7.00 with AIB.
Exceeding your credit limit will also have a negative affect on your credit score, which could make future borrowing more expensive or harder to get.
Credit card limit FAQs
Can I decrease my 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.
Also, bear in mind that lenders prefer to see you stay well within your credit limit, so lowering it may make you look less creditworthy to future lenders.
Does my credit limit affect my 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 around 25% 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.
If I go over my credit limit, will it affect my credit score?
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 a 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.
Compare the best credit cards in Ireland
Find the top 0% purchase & balance transfer deals with our credit card comparison.
