Platform & home lifts in Ireland — the 2026 buyer's guide
Last updated: 17 September 2026
When a stairlift won't do the job — typically because the user is a wheelchair user, transfers are unsafe, or the stairs are unusable — a platform or home lift is the alternative. They are more expensive and more invasive to install than stairlifts, but the Housing Adaptation Grant covers up to €40,000 of the cost, and for households that need one, they are transformative.
How much does a home lift cost in Ireland? A new through-floor home lift for a two-storey house costs about €20,000 to €30,000 or more, a short-rise vertical platform lift about €8,000 to €15,000, and a cabin lift from about €30,000. The Housing Adaptation Grant can pay up to €40,000 of the cost.
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The form takes an afternoon. What comes after it takes six months. If you would sooner not do it on your own, we prepare everything you need for the whole application and email it to you.
Your complete grant kit
€49.99 one-off, VAT included
- Your council application form, filled in and ready to sign
- A prep sheet for the occupational therapist visit
- A supporting statement setting out why the works are needed
- Three quote request emails, ready to send
- Your document checklist, timeline, chase letter and appeal letter
- Ask us anything until it is submitted
Not sure it is right for you? Ask us first.
Email hello@thegranthub.ie with a line about your situation and we will answer you straight. It costs nothing, there is no obligation, and you are not signing up to anything.
See exactly what is in the kit for a home lift grant. We never ask for your PPS number, your income figures or any documents.
We cannot promise any council will approve a grant. What we promise is that your application is complete, on time and with nothing left vague.
Platform lifts in Ireland — quick facts
- Through-floor home lift (new, 2 storey): €20,000–€30,000+
- Vertical platform lift (short rise): €8,000–€15,000
- Cabin lift (new): €30,000+
- Installation time: 3–10 working days depending on type
- Power requirements: Standard domestic 230V; small circuits added during install
- Grant available: Up to €40,000 via Housing Adaptation Grant — for new equipment fitted by an approved installer.
Types of home lift
Through-floor lifts
The most common residential lift in Ireland. Travels from the ground floor through a hatch in the ceiling to the first floor. Self-contained — no separate machine room required. Suitable for most homes with sufficient ceiling clearance and a layout that allows a roughly 1m × 1m footprint upstairs and down.
Vertical platform lifts
Open or partially-enclosed platforms that travel a short vertical distance — typically up to 3m. Common at front entrances with steps, between split-level rooms, or to raise a wheelchair user onto a deck or patio.
Cabin lifts
Fully enclosed mini-lifts with a shaft. Premium option, looks like a small commercial lift, suits new builds or major renovations. Most expensive category — €30,000+.
When to choose a platform lift over a stairlift
- Wheelchair user. A stairlift requires a transfer onto the seat — not safe for many wheelchair users.
- Unsafe transfers. Severe arthritis, advanced Parkinson's, post-stroke spasticity often make stairlift seat transfers impossible.
- Narrow or spiral stairs. Some stairs simply cannot accommodate a stairlift.
- Multiple users in the home. A through-floor lift serves anyone; a stairlift is sized for one user.
- Anticipating future needs. If decline is expected, a lift may be the better long-term investment.
Cost comparison
| Solution | Typical cost (new, fitted) | Grant covers | Out of pocket (lower-income household) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curved stairlift | €7,000 | €7,000 (Mobility Aids ceiling) | €0 |
| Vertical platform lift (short rise) | €11,000 | €11,000 (HAG, 100% under €37,500 income) | €0 |
| Through-floor lift | €25,000 | €25,000 (HAG, 100% under €37,500 income) | €0 |
Indicative figures for a household with gross income under €37,500 — the income bracket where the HAG covers 100% of approved cost. Use the eligibility checker to see what your specific household qualifies for.
Home lift and platform lift grants
A through-floor home lift or a platform lift is covered by the Housing Adaptation Grant, which pays up to €40,000. With a household income up to €37,500 it can cover the whole approved cost, including the building work to fit the lift. Above that it pays a smaller share, down to 30% for incomes up to €75,000.
The council will want an occupational therapist report that names the lift and explains why a stairlift will not do, written quotes, and its approval before any work starts.
Read what the grant covers for home lifts, and which counties move fastest, or see the full Housing Adaptation Grant guide.
What's involved in installation
- Site survey — installer measures, identifies the path through the floor, checks ceiling joists, confirms power.
- Structural assessment — most through-floor lifts cut through existing ceiling joists; this requires a structural calculation and possibly building control notification.
- Floor cut and frame — typically 1 day on site.
- Lift installation — 2–4 days for through-floor; 1–2 days for vertical platform.
- Commissioning and handover — testing, training the user, paperwork.
- Annual servicing — required to keep the warranty valid; typically €150–€300 per year.
FAQs
How much does a home lift cost in Ireland?
A new 2-storey through-floor home lift costs €20,000 to €30,000 fitted in Ireland. Smaller vertical platform lifts (short rise) cost €8,000 to €15,000 new. Cabin lifts start at €30,000. Grant-funded home lifts must be new equipment fitted by an approved installer.
Is a platform lift better than a stairlift?
A platform lift is the right choice for wheelchair users, when seated transfers are unsafe, when there are multiple steps, or when the staircase is too narrow for a stairlift. For someone who can sit safely on a stairlift seat, a stairlift is faster to install and far cheaper.
Can I get a grant for a platform lift in Ireland?
Yes — the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability covers platform lifts up to €40,000. The Mobility Aids Grant generally does not cover platform lifts as it is sized for stairlifts and minor adaptations.
Will a through-floor lift damage my house?
It requires cutting a hole through the ceiling/floor between two storeys. The cut is structurally engineered and reinforced — the lift is not load-bearing. If removed at end of life, the floor can be repaired but not invisibly.
Do I need planning permission?
An internal home lift typically does not need planning permission as it is an interior alteration to an existing dwelling. Building control may need to be notified for the structural changes. External lifts (e.g., into a side entrance) sometimes need planning, especially in protected structures.
Find out what the grant will cover for your home lift
Free 30-second eligibility check. Enter your household income and we'll show you the percentage covered and the maximum grant available.
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