What is the Central Credit Register?
The Central Credit Register is a national database that, on request, provides:
- a borrower with an individual credit report detailing their credit agreements;
- a lender with comprehensive information to help with credit assessments; and
- the Central Bank with better insights into national trends in the provision of credit.
The Central Credit Register also supports the Central Bank’s obligations and functions, including consumer protection, supervising the financial sector and ensuring financial stability.
Since 30 June 2017, banks, credit unions and any lender providing consumer loans of €500 or more must submit personal and credit information on those loans to the Central Credit Register.
Consumer loans include credit cards, mortgages, overdrafts and personal loans.
Since 31 March 2018, Local Authorities and High Cost Credit Providers (Moneylenders) providing loans of €500 or more must submit personal and credit information on those loans to the Central Credit Register. Business loans are also included from this time.
Since 30 June 2019 lenders who provide Hire Purchase, PCPs or similar type loans of €500 or more must submit personal and credit information on those loans to the Central Credit Register. Information submitted by lenders is matched by the Central Credit Register and used to create a credit report.
Lenders must request a copy of your credit report when you have applied for a loan of €2,000 or more. They may also, if they wish, request a copy of your credit if your loan application is for less than €2,000.
Lenders may also request a copy of your credit report if
- you have requested a re-structure of an existing loan;
- there are arrears on an existing loan; or
- there has been a breach of the limit on a credit card or overdraft.
The Central Credit Register does not:
- decide if a loan is approved or not – the lender makes that decision;
- score or grade credit reports.
Who owns the information?
The Central Bank owns the information held on the Central Credit Register. The Central Bank is a data controller under the Data Protection Acts. Information submitted by lenders to the Central Credit Register is used to create individual credit reports. A credit report can help lenders when they are making decisions about loans and loan applications. More information on the collection and use of your personal data is available at centralcreditregister.ie where you will also find a link to the Central Bank’s data protection privacy notice.
What is included on the Central Credit Register?
Types of Borrower
Types of borrower included on the Central Credit Register are:
- Companies
- Consumers
- Individuals
- Partnerships
- Sole traders
Types of borrower can also include any other entities that are resident in the State at the time of making the credit application such as clubs or associations, or where the credit agreement is governed by Irish law. Guarantors who provide guarantees or indemnities will also be included in the future.
Types of Lender
Credit Information Providers, or lenders included on the Central Credit Register:
- Asset finance houses
- Banks
- Credit Unions
- Firms that have acquired loan books from Irish financial institutions in recent years
- High Cost Credit Provider
- Local authorities
- NAMA
Types of Loan
Loans are included on the Central Credit Register if the loan is for €500 or more and:
- The borrower lives in the State at the time of applying for a loan or
- The loan agreement or loan application is governed by Irish law.
| Types of loans included | What is not included | ||
| From 30 June 2017 | From 31 March 2018 | From 30 June 2019 | |
| Credit cards | Business loans | Hire purchase | Utility bills |
| Mortgages | Local Authority Loans | PCPs | Pawnbrokers |
| Overdrafts | High Cost Credit Provider | Asset Finance | Income/Salary information |
| Personal loans | Tax liabilities | ||
| Deposit accounts | |||
| Insolvency Service of Ireland | |||
| The Courts Service records | |||
What is included on the credit report
A credit report contains your personal and credit information.
| PERSONAL INFORMATION includes | CREDIT INFORMATION includes |
| Name (forename & surname)
Current and previous addresses Date of birth Personal public service number(PPSN) Gender Eircode Telephone number |
Type of loan (credit card, mortgage, overdraft)
Name of the lender Amount of the loan Outstanding balance Number of overdue payments, if any Date of next payment Amount of next payment |
Each month personal and credit information is submitted by your lender to the Central Credit Register.
Personal information ensures that all your loans that you may have with different lenders are correctly matched on the Central Credit Register.
The Central Credit Register does not:
- decide if a loan is approved or not – the lender makes that decision
- calculate a credit score on credit reports
Credit information includes positive credit information, for example that a payment has been made; and negative credit information, for example that a payment has been missed. This information is submitted by your lender in order to build your credit history and create your credit report.
Who can request a credit report
You can request your credit report at any time free of charge (subject to fair usage).
You will need to complete an application and provide identification documents.
No other person such as your spouse/partner, friend, relative, employer, financial advisor or landlord can obtain your credit report without your consent. Such a person is called a third party.
If you wish to give your consent to a third party, or if you are acting as a third party, read our third party factsheet before submitting a request for a credit report.
Credit Information Providers, or lenders, can request your credit report when:
- You have made an application for a new loan
- You have applied to have your existing loan restructured
- You have arrears on your existing loan or you have breached the limit of a credit card or overdraft.
What are my rights?
The Credit Reporting Act 2013 creates four main rights for borrowers. You can:
- Ask for a free credit report
You have the right to ask for your credit report at any time. It is free of charge, subject to fair usage. This means that credit reports are free so long as you do not ask for an excessive number of them. You must print and sign your completed application form and upload it with your identification documents. See our factsheet ‘Requesting a Credit Report’, or visit our website to start the process.
- Place an Explanatory Statement on your credit report
You have a right to place an explanatory statement of up to 200 words about any of your information on the Central Credit Register. Your explanatory statement will be visible when a lender, you or a person to whom you have given consent asks for your credit report. See our fact sheet ‘Placing an Explanatory Statement on my Credit Report’ or visit our website to start the process.
- Ask to have your information amended
You can ask for information on your credit report to be amended if you believe it is inaccurate, incomplete or not up to date. See our fact sheet ‘Requesting an Amendment to Information on my Credit Report’ or visit our website to start the process.
- Place a Notice of Suspected Impersonation
If you reasonably believe you have been, are being or may be impersonated by any person, you can give notice to us to place a ‘Notice of Suspected Impersonation’ on your Credit Report. This notice will stay on your credit report for 90 days or for a shorter period if you wish. You may also extend the period of 90 days by giving us further notice. See our fact sheet ‘Placing a Notice of Suspected Impersonation on my Credit Report’ or visit our website to start the process
Where can I get more information?
Online: www.centralcreditregister.ie
Email: myrequest@centralcreditregister.ie
Landline:01 224 5500
