How Much Does Life Insurance Cost in Ireland? (2026)

If you just want the numbers first, here they are.

Example assumptions:
€250,000 life insurance
25 year term
Non-smoker
No health issues

These are typical standard rates. Smoking, medical history, higher cover amounts or longer terms will increase cost.

Now here’s the part most price guides don’t explain properly.

Two people of the same age can receive very different quotes depending on which insurer assesses them.

• Some insurers are stricter on BMI.
• Others take a tougher view on mental health history.
• Some are more flexible around family history.

That difference can add thousands over the life of a policy.

And once you apply and receive a risk loading, that underwriting decision can follow you. If you apply to the wrong insurer first and accept a high loading, it can limit your options later.

That’s why cost is not just about age. It also depends on which insurer assesses you and when you apply.

Is That for Term Life or Whole of Life?

The figures above are for term life insurance, which covers you for a fixed period such as 25 or 30 years.

Whole of life insurance covers you permanently and is significantly more expensive because a payout is guaranteed at some point.

For most families, term cover is the practical starting point. Whole of life is usually used for estate planning rather than day-to-day financial protection.

Is This the Same as Mortgage Protection?

Life insurance and mortgage protection are closely related, but they are not identical.

Mortgage protection is designed specifically to clear a home loan if you die during the term. Standard life insurance can be structured more flexibly and is used to replace the salary of the deceased.

If you are pricing cover purely for a mortgage, see our separate mortgage protection cost guide for more specific examples.

Why Age Has Such a Big Impact on Cost

Life insurance pricing is based on the statistical risk of a claim over the length of your policy. A 25-year-old has a lower probability of dying during a 25-year term than a 45-year-old. The insurer prices accordingly.

When you lock in a premium with level term cover, that price stays fixed for the duration of the policy. That is why people who take out cover when they are younger often pay significantly less over their lifetime.

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost at 30?

A healthy 30-year-old non-smoker can expect to pay roughly €13 per month for €250,000 over 25 years. If there is a medical history, pricing depends heavily on insurer choice rather than just age.

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost at 40?

At 40, the same cover might cost €23 per month. The increase reflects the higher statistical risk over the policy term.

What Makes Life Insurance More Expensive?

• Age at application
• Smoking status
• Medical history
• Family history
• Length of the term
• Amount of cover

Being accepted does not always mean you received the best outcome.

The only way to know you have received the best possible deal is to get real quotes from all the insurers.

When I say real quotes, I mean ones that take your health into account, not just headline numbers on a screen.

What Should You Do Next?

If you want to see what your own cost looks like, use the quote system. It shows pricing from multiple Irish insurers and lets you compare properly.

If you have any medical history at all, it is worth speaking to us first.

Remember, the first application matters more than most people realise.

If you would like our advice, schedule a quick call here or complete this questionnaire.

Thanks for reading

Nick

Editor’s Note: This guide was originally published in 2020 and has been fully updated for 2026 to reflect current insurer pricing trends and underwriting standards in Ireland.