Loans Ireland Bad Credit: Can You Get One? 2025 Guide

If you’ve ever worried that a less-than-perfect credit history would shut you out from borrowing entirely, you’re not alone. Thousands of people in Ireland face the same question each year: can I get a loan with bad credit? The short answer is yes — but the options, costs, and risks vary dramatically depending on where you look, and not every lender is worth your time. This guide walks through what actually works for Irish borrowers with poor credit, which lenders to trust, and the traps to avoid.

Credit score considered poor in Ireland: 620 (Upstart Learn) · Credit score considered very bad in Ireland: 420 (Experian) · Maximum loan from Capital Loan and Investment Society: €13,000 (capitalloan.ie) · Typical approval time for Capital Loan: Within one day (capitalloan.ie)

Five key facts about bad-credit borrowing in Ireland, drawn from official sources and lender websites.

Can you get a loan with bad credit in Ireland?

Yes, it is possible — but the quality of the offer depends heavily on your credit history, income, and the lender you choose. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s consumer protection authority advises borrowers to start by checking their budget and only borrow what they can afford to repay, even if a larger loan is offered.

What options exist for bad credit borrowers?

• Personal loans for bad credit: Lenders like AvantMoney offer fixed-rate loans but typically require a clean credit profile. AvantMoney does not explicitly target bad-credit applicants.
• Hire purchase: FinanceForYou provides hire purchase loans for people with poor credit. They specialise in financing for cars and other goods. (FinanceForYou)
• Guarantor loans: Switcher.ie, a regulated comparison site in Ireland, notes that a guarantor who pledges to repay if you default can improve your chances.
• Credit unions: Many credit unions accept members with imperfect credit, especially if you start with a small savings record. Switcher.ie describes credit union loans as a low-cost option.

Extremely bad credit loans

If your score falls below 420 (very bad per Experian), mainstream lenders will almost certainly decline you. However, Capital Loan and Investment Society, a regulated direct lender, offers loans up to €13,000 with approval within one day, targeting borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. The trade-off: interest rates are higher than those of banks.

The implication: even with very low scores, one regulated lender is willing to take a risk. But the interest burden could make the loan counterproductive if you’re already stretched.

Who is the easiest to get a loan from with bad credit?

Ease of approval is not the same as a good deal. Based on available data, CapitalLoan and FinanceForYou are the most accessible for bad-credit borrowers, while credit unions offer better long-term value.

Comparison of lenders

Five common options for Irish borrowers with poor credit, side by side.

The trade-off: lenders with the loosest credit checks often charge the highest interest. Credit unions are more affordable but require membership and a basic credit history.

Where can I borrow money fast in Ireland online?

When you need cash urgently, the internet offers quick solutions — but speed often comes at a cost. Capital Loan and Investment Society promises approval within one day, making it one of the fastest regulated options. Switcher.ie advises verifying that any online lender is regulated, as unlicensed operators may charge illegal interest rates.

Fast online loans for bad credit

• CapitalLoan: online application, decision in hours, cash next day.
• FinanceForYou: online hire purchase, quick decision for car or equipment.
• Some moneylenders offer online applications, but their costs are high. MABS, the government-funded Money Advice and Budgeting Service, reminds borrowers that moneylenders are not the only option.

Instant cash loan options

Claims of “instant cash in 1 hour” are common on search results. No mainstream regulated provider in Ireland offers a truly instant cash loan in one hour for bad credit. Any provider promising this should be checked against the Central Bank’s register of authorised firms.

The pattern: the faster the loan, the higher the APR and the stricter the repayment terms. For urgent needs, a credit union emergency loan or social welfare loan (available through credit unions) is safer and more sustainable.

Is 620 a poor credit score?

Yes. According to Upstart Learn, a financial education platform, a score of 620 is classified as poor. Experian, the credit reference agency, places 420 in the “very bad” category. These thresholds are used by most lenders to decide whether to approve a loan.

What credit score is considered bad in Ireland?

Ireland uses a credit scoring system managed by the Central Credit Register. While the register does not publish a specific “bad” threshold, the market broadly follows:

• 620 or below: poor – limited options, higher interest
• 420 or below: very bad – most mainstream lenders will decline

Implications for borrowing

If your score is 620, lenders like AvantMoney will likely reject you. CapitalLoan may consider you but at a higher rate. A score below 420 leaves you with moneylenders or specialised lenders like FinanceForYou. Loanitt, a loan advisory site suggests that a co-guarantor with good credit can improve your chances.

Why won’t Revolut give me a loan?

Revolut, the digital banking app, states on its loan product page that you “most likely won’t be eligible for a loan if you have a bad credit history or current overdue debts.” Revolut performs a credit check before approving any application, and its algorithm is strict.

Revolut’s lending criteria

• Requires a good or excellent credit history
• Checks for overdue debts anywhere
• Uses internal income analysis

What to do if Revolut declines your loan application

If Revolut says no, you can:

1. Request the reason from Revolut (you have a legal right under consumer credit rules).
2. Check your credit report for errors via the Central Credit Register.
3. Consider a credit union or guarantor loan instead.
4. Work on improving your credit score by paying off existing debts and making timely payments.

The takeaway: Revolut is not the only game in town. A decline there points to the need to explore alternatives that are built for bad-credit borrowers.

“I have bad credit, so are moneylenders my only option? No. Access to other forms of credit may be available.”

— MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service)

“You most likely won’t be eligible for a loan if you have a bad credit history or current overdue debts.”

— Revolut loan page

Pros and cons of borrowing with bad credit in Ireland

How to apply for a loan with bad credit: step-by-step guide

1. Check your budget. The CCPC says borrow only what you can repay.
2. Get your free credit report from the Central Credit Register and correct any errors.
3. Compare regulated lenders — CapitalLoan, FinanceForYou, credit unions. Verify each on the Central Bank register.
4. Consider a guarantor. Loanitt suggests a co-guarantor with good credit boosts approval odds.
5. Apply for a smaller loan first to build a repayment track record.

For Irish consumers with bad credit, the choice is clear: either accept the higher cost of a specialised lender now while working to improve your score, or risk unregulated moneylenders that can damage your financial health long term. The smarter path is to start with a credit union or a regulated online lender, pay on time, and rebuild your credit step by step.

For those exploring their options, a detailed guide on payday loans for bad credit in Ireland explains the specific products, costs, and risks associated with short-term borrowing when your credit history is less than perfect.

Frequently asked questions