If you’ve had cancer, getting mortgage protection insurance in Ireland hasn’t always been straightforward – even years after recovery.
You may have faced higher premiums, additional medical questions, or even difficulty getting cover at all. For many people, this created an extra barrier when trying to buy a home.
That’s now starting to change.
New legislation, known as the Right to Be Forgotten, is set to make mortgage protection more accessible and fair, so your past diagnosis doesn’t hold you back when applying for a mortgage.
What is the “Right to Be Forgotten”?
The Right to Be Forgotten means that after a certain period of recovery, your past cancer diagnosis should no longer affect your mortgage protection application.
You’ll still need to answer medical questions honestly when applying. However, once you meet the required criteria, insurers should assess your application as if your cancer diagnosis had never happened.
This represents a significant shift from older underwriting practices, where a diagnosis could influence your application indefinitely.
What are the New Rules in Ireland?
Ireland introduced a voluntary agreement with insurers in 2023. Now, the Government is moving to make these protections law.
The expected changes include:
- A shorter waiting period (likely 5 years after treatment ends)
- A higher cover limit (expected to increase to €650,000)
- A move to a legal requirement across all insurers
Why this matters for You as a Homebuyer
If you’re applying for a mortgage, you’ll usually need mortgage protection insurance.
Research has shown that many cancer survivors have struggled to secure insurance, even years after recovery, impacting their ability to buy a home.
The new rules aim to change that by removing unnecessary obstacles to your mortgage approval, preventing unfair pricing or exclusions, and supporting you in achieving homeownership.
In short, it’s about ensuring your past doesn’t define your financial future.
Who Can Benefit from the Right to be Forgotten?
While the final details are still being confirmed, the general principle is clear. If you are in full remission and a number of years has passed since your treatment ended, you may qualify under the new rules.
Once eligible, your application should be assessed based on your current health, rather than your medical history.
What This Means for Your Mortgage Protection Application
If you qualify under the Right to Be Forgotten, the application process should feel more straightforward and transparent.
You may be able to access mortgage protection on standard terms, without higher premiums or exclusions linked to your previous diagnosis. This removes a level of uncertainty that many applicants have faced in the past.
It’s still important to remember that full disclosure is required when applying, and these changes apply specifically to mortgage protection insurance rather than all forms of cover.
When Will These Changes Take Effect?
The legislation is expected to move through the Oireachtas in 2026.
Once introduced, it will create a clear and consistent framework across all insurers operating in Ireland, ensuring the same standards apply regardless of provider.
A Fairer Path Forward
The “Right to Be Forgotten” is more than just a policy update – it’s a meaningful step toward fairness in the financial system.
If you’ve recovered from cancer, this change recognises that, and ensures your past doesn’t continue to shape your financial options.
For anyone who has gone through cancer, it represents something simple but powerful:
The chance to move forward – without being held back by the past.
Not sure where you stand?
If you’re applying for a mortgage and have questions about mortgage protection, speaking to an advisor can help you understand your options and next steps clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get mortgage protection in Ireland after cancer?
Yes, in many cases you can. Under the Right to Be Forgotten rules, once a certain period has passed after your treatment ends, your previous cancer diagnosis should no longer affect your mortgage protection application.
How long after cancer can you apply for mortgage protection?
The expected timeframe under the new legislation is five years after treatment ends. Once you meet this condition, insurers should assess your application based on your current health.
Do you still need to disclose cancer when applying?
Yes. You are still required to answer all medical questions honestly when applying for mortgage protection. However, once you qualify under the Right to Be Forgotten, your past diagnosis should not impact the outcome.
Does the Right to Be Forgotten apply to all insurance?
No. The Right to Be Forgotten is expected to apply specifically to mortgage protection insurance. Other types of cover, such as income protection or serious illness cover, may still be assessed under standard underwriting rules.
When will the Right to Be Forgotten law start in Ireland?
The legislation is expected to progress through the Oireachtas in 2026. Once enacted, it will apply across all insurers operating in Ireland.