Cancer survivors can now have certain cancer-related medical history disregarded when applying for mortgage protection insurance under new legislation which came into effect on 15th October.
The new statutory protections apply to eligible applicants seeking mortgage protection for their principal private residence.
Louth TD Erin McGreehan has welcomed the change, saying it will remove a financial barrier that has affected cancer survivors long after treatment ended.
“Cancer survivors and their families have been through enough pain and punishment. They should not be penalised financially due to their medical history,” she said.
“These new laws will prevent insurers from penalising people who have had a cancer diagnosis.”
Who qualifies?
Under the new law, insurers must disregard an applicant’s cancer-related medical history where:
- active cancer treatment was completed at least five years ago;
- the applicant has been in complete remission for at least five years;
- the application is for mortgage protection insurance on their principal private residence; and
- the amount of cover sought is up to €650,000.
Normal underwriting rules can continue to apply above the €650,000 threshold.
The new statutory system replaces a voluntary code introduced in 2023, which generally required a seven-year period after treatment, or five years for those diagnosed before the age of 18, and applied to cover up to €500,000.
‘A huge difference’
McGreehan said cancer survivors, the Irish Cancer Society and political representatives had campaigned for the change.
“Cancer survivors along with the Irish Cancer Society and my party colleague Minister Catherine Ardagh have advocated for these changes. I seconded the Bill as Minister Catherine Ardagh brought it into the Dáil,” she said.
The Irish Cancer Society had campaigned for a statutory Right to Be Forgotten for several years, highlighting difficulties faced by some survivors when seeking mortgage protection insurance.
McGreehan added:
“Survivors know that this change in the law will make a huge difference to the more than 230,000 cancer survivors in Ireland. They will no longer face hike premiums or outright rejection when seeking mortgage protection.
“It’s only right and fair that they are not penalised for their diagnosis. I hope this legislation will allow people to move on with their lives.”
The legislation is formally known as the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026.
