Can I Install an EV Charger in an Irish Apartment Block?

Before any technical work begins, you must navigate the legal and communal requirements:

Owner-Occupiers: You must submit a formal request to your OMC. They have a duty to ensure that individual installations do not compromise the building's fire safety or electrical capacity.
Tenants: You must first obtain written consent from your landlord. The landlord then coordinates with the OMC.
The "Right to Charge": While Irish policy heavily favours EV adoption, as of 2026, you still require OMC consent. However, new building regulations (S.I. No. 535 of 2022) now mandate that new apartment blocks must be "EV-ready" with pre-installed ducting.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provides two primary pathways for funding:

Grant Type	Best For	Benefit
Apartment Charging Grant	OMCs & Landlords	Covers up to 80% of the cost for bulk infrastructure (cabling/distribution boards) in multi-unit developments.
Home Charger Grant	Individual Residents	Provides €300 towards the purchase and installation of a specific smart charger unit.

Note: You must receive a Letter of Offer from the SEAI before commencing any work, or the installation will not be eligible for funding.

Apartment installations are more complex due to shared power supplies. 2026 standards require:

Smart Load Management: Chargers must be able to communicate with each other to "load balance." This ensures that if multiple cars charge simultaneously, they don't exceed the building's total power limit.
Safe Electric Certification: All work must be completed by a Safe Electric Registered Electrical Contractor.
Data & Billing: Most apartment systems use a Charge Point Operator (CPO). This software tracks your electricity usage and bills you directly, ensuring your neighbours don't pay for your car's power through their management fees.

Survey: Contact a specialised EV installer to conduct a site survey of the basement or car park.
OMC Proposal: Present the survey and the SEAI Apartment Charging Grant details to the OMC. Highlight that EV infrastructure increases property value.
Application: Apply for the SEAI grant once the OMC gives the green light.
Installation: The contractor installs the "backbone" (cabling) and your individual charging unit.
Certification: Your electrician submits Certificate Number 3 to Safe Electric Ireland to finalise the grant payout.

Yes. However, unlike a house where you can install a charger independently, apartment installations require formal approval from the Owners' Management Company (OMC) and must utilise smart-charging technology to protect the building’s electrical grid