vivisor Insights
Costs & fees · 6 min read
What does financial advice cost in Ireland?
Cost is the single biggest source of confusion when people first engage an advisor. The good news: Irish rules require advisors to disclose how they're paid. The trick is knowing what to look for so you can compare like-for-like.
The three fee models
Fee-only — you pay the advisor directly (hourly, fixed fee, or % of assets). No product commission, or commission is rebated to you.
Commission — the product provider pays the advisor when you take out a product. No direct fee to you, but the cost is built into the product charges.
Hybrid — a reduced advice fee plus some commission. Common for ongoing pension and investment advice.
Typical price ranges in Ireland (guide only)
One-off written financial plan: €500 – €2,500 depending on complexity.
Hourly rate for ad-hoc advice: €150 – €300 per hour.
Ongoing portfolio / pension management: 0.25% – 1.0% per year of assets, often tiered.
Mortgage advice: usually free at point of sale (paid by lender); €0 – €500 if fee-based.
Protection (life cover, income protection): typically commission-based; check if a reduced-commission/lower-premium option exists.
How to read a fee schedule properly
Look at total cost of ownership — advice fee + product charges + fund AMC (Annual Management Charge) + any policy fee.
Allocation rate — how much of every €100 you contribute is actually invested (95%–100% is good; below 95% means an entry charge).
Bid/offer spread — a hidden 5% charge on entry in older products. Modern PRSAs typically don't have this.
Exit penalties — early-encashment charges in years 1–5 of some policies.
Trail commission — ongoing % paid to the advisor each year. Fine if there's an ongoing service; not fine if you never hear from them.
Smart questions about cost
What's the all-in annual cost as a percentage of my fund?
Is your remuneration the same whichever provider I choose? If not, why this provider?
What ongoing service do I get in return for the trail commission / annual fee?
Can I see two quotes — one commission-based, one nil-commission with a fee — so I can compare?
For information purposes only. vivisor does not provide financial advice.