Our latest analysis looks at the major household cost increases coming into effect in Ireland across energy, health insurance, mortgages, PRSI and other everyday expenses over the coming weeks.

Published: September 2026
Research by: bonkers.ie

Key research findings

Households are facing new cost increases of up to €1,000 a year over the coming weeks as higher energy costs, health insurance premiums, mortgage rates, and subscription costs come into effect.
PRSI is also increasing
Public transport fares will also go up by an average of 15% from January
Higher costs and PRSI could wipe out much, or all, of the €500 to €600 the average worker is expected to gain from the 2027 Budget.

Household cost increases at a glance

Cost	What's changing	When	Extra cost a year
Gas	Price hikes from some major suppliers	October	~€140
Electricity	Price hikes from some major suppliers	October	~€180
Health insurance	VHI up 2.75% on average, after 3% in March; Laya increasing by more	October	~€200–€300+ per family
Tracker mortgage	Two ECB rate hikes (June and September)	October	~€400 (€150,000 over 10–15 years)
PRSI	Rises from 4.20% to 4.35%	October	~€75 for the average worker
Netflix	Most popular plans up €2 a month	September	€24
Public transport	Fares up 15% on average	January	Depends on usage
Carbon tax (if increased)	2–3c more per litre of petrol and diesel	If confirmed in Budget 2027	~€20 on the average gas bill

What our research found

Our latest research examines the major household cost increases coming into effect in Ireland and what they could mean for household finances over the coming year.

From October, many households will be paying around €140 a year more for their gas and €180 more for their electricity as price hikes from some of the major energy suppliers come into effect.

As well as this, further hikes in private health insurance will see many families having to pay an extra €200 to €300 or more for cover. The VHI is increasing its premiums again by 2.75% on average from October. But it also hiked its premiums by 3% in March. It means policyholders who renew over the coming weeks will actually be faced with a hike in premiums of closer to 6% on average. Laya Healthcare customers will see an even bigger increase.

Those with a tracker mortgage will have to contend with higher mortgage repayments. Two interest rate hikes from the ECB since June mean someone with €150,000 remaining on their mortgage over 10 to 15 years will be paying just over €30 extra a month or around €400 more a year. And although the big three banks have left their variable and fixed rates unchanged for now, the expectation is that AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB will increase their rates before the end of the year.

Netflix, which is a staple in many Irish households, has also hiked its most popular plans by €2 a month or €24 for the year.

And from January, public transport fares will increase by 15% on average.

And if the Government proceeds with hiking the carbon tax again, it will add another 2 to 3 cent to every litre of petrol and diesel and around €20 to the average annual gas bill.

On top of this, PRSI is increasing from 4.20 to 4.35% from October, which will see the average worker pay an extra €75 a year in tax.

The increase in costs mean costs mean many households could still be worse off next year despite pledges by the Government to reduce the tax burden on workers in the upcoming Budget.

The Government is expected to announce a moderate tax package in Budget 2027 that should see the average worker take home around €500 to €600 extra a year.

However, when you combine higher PRSI contributions with rising energy, insurance, and interest costs, these savings risk being completely absorbed before they reach households’ bank accounts.

For a full round-up of the measures that could feature on 6 October, see what to expect in the upcoming Budget.

How households can reduce their costs

Households have options too, however. bonkers.ie is encouraging households to review all their bills and outgoings and see where they can switch and make savings.

Substantial savings can be made on households’ energy, broadband, health, car and home insurance costs.

Methodology

The energy figures are based on a household using 4,200kWh of electricity a year and 11,000kWh of gas. New price hikes from SSE Airtricity, Pinergy, Energia, and Bord Gáis Energy have been announced.

The PRSI hike is calculated as an extra €75 a year based on some earning €50,000 a year.

The €24 hike in Netflix costs is based on a household with a standard or premium plan subscription paying an extra €2 a month.

The increase in health insurance costs is based on a household with a family plan with VHI which currently costs €3,500 to €4,000 a year.

The mortgage rate increase is based on someone with a tracker mortgage with €150,000 remaining over 10 to 15 years. Around 100,000 households are still on a tracker mortgage. Rate hikes from smaller lenders such as ICS Mortgages and Nua Money have also come into effect.