Applications opening end of June 2026

Scotland's £10,000 deposit boost is almost here.

The Scottish Government's First Home Fund gives first-time buyers a £10,000 contribution towards their deposit — no monthly repayments, no interest. Find out if you qualify and speak to a Freedom Financial mortgage adviser today.

Register your interestCheck if I qualifyTry the calculator
£10,000
Deposit contribution
£300,000
Max property value
50,000
Buyers to be helped
0%
Interest charged
What is it?

Everything you need to know

A shared-equity scheme — the Scottish Government tops up your deposit and takes an equity share, repaid only when you sell.

New & resale
Works on both new-build and existing properties across Scotland
0% interest
No monthly repayments and no interest ever charged on the government's contribution
Repaid on sale
The government's equity share is repaid when the property is sold — not before
First-timers only
Must never have owned a property anywhere in the world — sole or joint ownership
The process

How does it work?

1

Check eligibility

Use our quick questionnaire to confirm you're eligible as a first-time buyer in Scotland

2

Speak to us

Get no-obligation mortgage advice and find out your maximum borrowing power

3

Apply for the fund

We guide you through the Scottish Government application process when it opens end of June

4

Get your keys

Complete your purchase with your boosted deposit and your new mortgage secured

Affordability calculator

See what you could afford

Adjust the sliders to get an indicative budget. For a personalised figure, speak to one of our advisers.

£50,000
£15,000
£10,000

Your estimated figures

Total deposit available£25,000
Max mortgage (4.5× income)£225,000
Max property budget£250,000
Est. monthly payment~£1,251 / mo

Based on 4.5× income, 25-year repayment mortgage at 4.5% interest. For illustrative purposes only. This is not a mortgage offer. Actual mortgage offers depend on lender criteria and full affordability assessment. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments.

Video explainer
Watch: First Home Fund explained in plain English
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Everything you need to know, in under 3 minutes

We've broken down the First Home Fund into plain English — no jargon, no small print surprises. Watch our explainer to understand exactly how it works.

  • What "shared equity" actually means for you day-to-day
  • How and when the government gets repaid
  • Which properties and areas are eligible
  • How to combine the fund with your own mortgage
  • Common mistakes to avoid when applying
Lead qualification

Do you qualify? Find out in 2 minutes

Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you if the First Home Fund could work for you — and how Freedom Financial can help.

1. Eligibility
2. Property
3. Finances
4. Your details

Have you ever owned a property?

This includes anywhere in the world, whether sole or joint ownership

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

When exactly do applications open?

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The Scottish Government has confirmed that the first round of applications will open by the end of June 2026. Full application guidance has not yet been published. We'll update this page as soon as more detail is released — register your interest above to be notified first.

Do I have to repay the £10,000?

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Yes — the Scottish Government takes an equity share in your property equivalent to the contribution made. This is repaid when you sell the property. There are no monthly repayments and no interest is charged. The repayment amount reflects the equity share percentage at the time of sale, meaning it may be more or less than the original £10,000 depending on property values.

Can I use the fund on any property in Scotland?

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The scheme applies to both new-build and existing properties in Scotland with a purchase price of up to £300,000. The property must be purchased with a mortgage — cash purchases are not eligible. Further guidance on eligible property types and lenders will be published before applications open.

What counts as a "first-time buyer"?

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A first-time buyer is anyone who does not currently own, and has not previously owned, a property — whether in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, or anywhere else in the world. This includes both sole and joint ownership. If you have ever been named on a property title, you are not eligible.

Can I use it alongside a 5% deposit mortgage?

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Potentially yes — the scheme is designed to work alongside a standard mortgage. The £10,000 contribution can boost your deposit, which may help you access better mortgage rates. Detailed guidance on which lenders will participate has not yet been published. Our advisers will guide you through the best combination once full details are available.

Is there a limit on how many applications will be accepted?

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The Scottish Government has set a target of supporting 2,000 households in the first 100 days. Based on the previous First Home Fund scheme, demand could significantly exceed supply — applications closed within days in 2021. We strongly recommend registering your interest now so you're ready to apply the moment the scheme opens.
Get advice

Ready to get on the property ladder?

Leave your details and a Freedom Financial adviser will be in touch — no obligation.

Freedom Financial is a trading name of Freedom Financial Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA No. 920865. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. This page provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. By submitting this form you consent to your details being used to contact you about your enquiry — see our Privacy Policy for how we handle your data.