What Are Business Loan Interest Rates in Ireland?

Last updated: 26 October 2026

Quick Summary

Business loan interest rates in Ireland vary widely by lender, product and borrower profile. Published bank rates are a starting point, not a promise of the rate your business will receive.

• Security, trading history and predictable cash flow are major factors in pricing.
• Compare the total amount repayable, fees and early-repayment conditions — not just the headline percentage.
• A fixed interest rate can help with equipment or fit-out budgeting; a variable rate exposes you to changes during the loan.
• Have accounts, bank statements and confirmation of tax affairs ready before applying.
• BusinessLoans.ie searches multiple loan options through one application, with unsecured funding up to €500,000, subject to assessment.

Table of Contents

• What Business Loan Interest Rates Are Available?
• Compare Business Loan Rates and Lenders
• Fixed vs Variable Business Loan Rates
• How a Business Loan Repayment Calculator Helps
• Business Loan Eligibility: What Lenders Check
• Business Loan Approval Time: How Fast Can You Get Funds?
• Get Your Business Loan Quotes
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Business Loan Interest Rates Are Available?

Published bank rates sit at one level, while the rate a business is actually offered depends on the product, trading history, affordability, credit record and security. A retailer with three years of profitable accounts and steady card takings will be assessed differently from a seasonal hospitality venue.

AIB's published business lending table, dated 20 October 2026, lists a 5.95% variable rate and a 7.45% fixed rate for the relevant SME and business loan products. Bank of Ireland publishes a 7.02% variable rate for its business loan from €1,000 to €120,000. These are product-specific published figures, not personalised offers.

Our business loan calculator uses an illustrative range of 7% to 17% APR. This is an estimate range for planning, not a market-wide minimum or maximum and not a lending offer. Some bank or scheme rates may be lower, while specialist or higher-risk borrowing may cost more.

Check whether a quoted figure is an annual interest rate or an APR. APR reflects interest and relevant charges on an annualised basis, whereas a headline interest rate may exclude fees. Merchant cash advances and some flexible repayment facilities may quote a fixed total repayment or factor rate instead; that number is not directly comparable with an annual interest rate.

Compare Business Loan Rates and Lenders

Comparing rates properly means comparing like with like: the same borrowing amount, repayment term and fee assumptions. A variable bank loan, a small fixed-rate scheme loan and a specialist unsecured facility are different products with different eligibility conditions.

Sources: AIB business lending rates, Bank of Ireland business banking reference rates and Microfinance Ireland Small Loan. Published figures checked for this guide on 26 October 2026. Rates and scheme conditions can change; AIB notes that certain facilities are subject to an agreed margin. Check the current rate and full terms directly with the provider.

A small scheme loan is not a like-for-like benchmark for a larger commercial facility. Eligibility, subsidies, security and fees can all affect the comparison. The lowest headline percentage is not necessarily the lowest total cost for your funding need.

That is why we help clients explore multiple loan options rather than treat one rate as the whole market. One application goes to several suitable lenders and returns the offers that fit; the number of offers depends on your business and lender appetite.

Fixed vs Variable Business Loan Rates

A fixed interest rate stays the same for the agreed period. A variable interest rate can change under the lender's terms, which may alter repayments or the time needed to clear the balance. Neither is automatically better.

Fixed pricing can suit businesses budgeting tightly, particularly where margins are thin or the loan funds equipment or a fit-out with a planned payback schedule. Check how long the rate is fixed and whether early repayment triggers a charge.

Variable pricing may suit businesses able to absorb rate changes and benefit if rates fall, but it can also become more expensive. For seasonal working capital you expect to repay early, compare the actual settlement terms rather than assume variable borrowing will be cheaper.

How a Business Loan Repayment Calculator Helps

A repayment calculator turns an indicative rate into a monthly figure you can plan around. It shows the effect of the term on monthly repayments and total interest: a longer term can lower the monthly payment while increasing the total cost.

Use our business loan calculator for amounts from €5,000 to €500,000 and terms of 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months. Its estimate assumes a constant rate and regular monthly repayments; it does not include arrangement fees, irregular repayments or future variable-rate changes.

Run each offer on the same assumptions, then ask the lender for the full repayment schedule, total amount payable and early-settlement figure. Stress-test affordability at a higher rate if you are considering variable borrowing.

Apply here →

Business Loan Eligibility: What Lenders Check

Eligibility comes down to trading history, turnover, affordability and credit record. Lenders want evidence that money comes in reliably and repayments fit within what remains after operating costs and existing commitments.

For the unsecured term loans we focus on, businesses need at least 12 months trading, one year's accounts, turnover of €100,000 or more, a net profit and no recent missed payments on bank statements. Approval and pricing remain subject to the lender's assessment.

Flexible repayment loans have different criteria: one lender considers businesses from nine months trading with steady cash flow, typically around eight or more deposits a month. A higher-risk lender may consider businesses from six months, with different pricing and conditions.

Unsecured lending is not registered against specific property or business assets, but lenders may still require a director's personal guarantee. Understand that commitment before signing.

Have recent accounts, bank statements, identification, details of existing borrowing and an explanation of the funding purpose ready. A business plan or summary may be requested for loans over €200,000. Seasonal businesses should show a full year's cash flow rather than only the strongest quarter.

See Revenue's Tax Clearance Certificate guidance and our unsecured business loan eligibility guide for more on preparing your application.

Business Loan Approval Time: How Fast Can You Get Funds?

Approval time depends on the lender, product and completeness of your documents. Property-backed bank lending can take weeks while valuations and legal work complete. Some unsecured facilities can receive a decision much sooner.

BusinessLoans.ie aims to give same-day feedback on most cases. Feedback is not the same as lender approval, and approval is not the same as funds reaching your account.

Same-day approval up to €50,000: Same-day approval is possible on some unsecured term loans and flexible repayment loans up to €50,000, where the lender receives your full set of documents in the morning, Monday to Friday. It depends on the lender's assessment and is not guaranteed.

If you need stock or working capital by a specific date, say so at the start and gather your documents before applying. Read our business loan approval time guide for the stages that affect the timeline.

Get Your Business Loan Quotes

A published rate is only a starting point. Comparing suitable offers lets you see how pricing, repayment shape, guarantees and fees fit your business rather than guessing from a headline.

At BusinessLoans.ie, one application is put to several lenders so you can review the offers that actually fit. We search multiple loan options, with unsecured funding up to €500,000, subject to assessment. We do not promise a fixed number of quotes or a guaranteed rate.

Check your eligibility, apply here, or call 01 55 636 55 to discuss your funding need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the interest rate on a business loan in Ireland?

There is no single business loan rate. It depends on the lender, product, amount, term, security and borrower profile. Published bank rates are indicative starting points; request a current written offer showing fees, repayments and the total amount payable.

Which factors affect business loan interest rates?

Lenders assess trading history, profitability, turnover, cash flow, credit record, sector risk, existing debt and available security. A personal guarantee may be required but does not automatically secure a lower rate. Compare the full terms of each offer.

Are fixed or variable rates better for a business loan?

Fixed rates provide interest-rate certainty for the agreed period. Variable rates can fall or rise. Choose according to your ability to absorb changes, the payback period of your investment and early-repayment terms. Fixed repayments and fixed interest rates are not necessarily the same thing.

How quickly can a business loan be approved?

Some unsecured term loans and flexible repayment loans up to €50,000 may receive same-day approval when complete documents reach the lender in the morning, Monday to Friday. This depends on assessment and is not guaranteed. Larger or secured facilities usually take longer, and drawdown may require additional steps.

Can I compare a merchant cash advance factor rate with a loan APR?

Not directly. A factor rate describes a total repayment multiple, not an annualised percentage. Ask for the euro cost, any fees, expected repayment period and collection method, then compare with the total cost and cash flow impact of a term loan.

Apply here →

Information is for general guidance, not a personal recommendation or lending offer. Rates and product conditions can change. All finance is subject to lender approval and the terms of the agreement.