Important update: Right to Be Forgotten for cancer survivors

Important update: Right to Be Forgotten for cancer survivors

From 15th October 2026, new Right to Be Forgotten legislation will come into effect for certain mortgage protection applications from people who have previously had cancer.
Irish Life is applying these changes for eligible Life Mortgage Cover applications with immediate effect.

What has changed?

The legislation introduces two new rules:

• A reduction in the required period since treatment ended and remission began from seven years to five years.
• An increase in the maximum eligible cover amount from €500,000 to €650,000.

Full eligibility criteria

Where all the criteria below are met, we will not take the applicant’s previous cancer history into account when assessing their application:

• Active cancer treatment ended at least five years before the application date.
• The applicant has been in complete remission for at least five years before the application date.
• The application is for mortgage protection insurance on the applicant’s principal private residence.
• The total cover requested is no more than €650,000.

Standard underwriting will apply where the cover amount is above €650,000 or where any of these criteria are not met. Other relevant medical and underwriting information may still be considered. 

Why we are applying the changes now

Although the legislation takes effect on 15th October 2026, we are introducing these changes now because we believe it’s the right thing to do for you and your clients.

Thank you for your continued support in helping customers find protection that meets their needs.