
Gold Bars for Sale: Prices, Taxes, and What to Know Before Buying
Gold prices are climbing, but buying a bar in Ireland involves more than just the spot price — tax and resale realities can make or break your return. For Irish investors, the decision comes down to real numbers — what you’ll pay, what you’ll owe in tax, and how easily you can sell later.
1 oz gold bar price (Ireland): from €3,739 · 100 gram gold bar price (Ireland): from €11,954 · 1 kilo gold bar price (Ireland): from €116,849 · Gold purity standard: 24 karat (99.9% pure)
Quick snapshot
- Gold bars are sold at spot price plus dealer premium (GoldCore — Irish bullion dealer)
- Capital gains tax (33%) applies on profits from selling gold in Ireland (GoldCore tax guide)
- Banks generally do not buy back gold bars from individuals (GoldCore — sell-back process)
- Exact tax treatment of gold coins vs bars in Ireland — conflicting signals from different sources (BullionByPost.co.uk — UK vs Irish rules)
- Future gold price performance — no certainty (BullionByPost.co.uk — UK vs Irish rules)
- VAT treatment of collectible gold coins remains ambiguous – conflicting guidance from dealers and tax authorities (BullionByPost.co.uk — coin tax notes)
- Gold prices have risen over the last decade — annual returns averaged 7-10% (The Royal Mint — gold performance overview)
- Market volatility and central bank reserves will continue to influence spot prices (GoldCore — bullion guide)
- Irish Revenue may clarify VAT treatment for investment gold vs collectible coins (BullionByPost.ie — VAT notes)
Four key facts stand out for anyone considering buying gold bars in Ireland:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gold purity for investment bars | 99.9% (24 carat) |
| Common bar sizes | 1 oz, 100g, 1kg, 12.5kg |
| Capital Gains Tax rate (Ireland) | 33% on profit from selling |
| VAT on gold bars | 23% (but investment gold may be exempt) |
| Storage cost (professional vault) | ~1% per year (GoldCore – storage) |
| Refiner accreditation | LBMA-accredited (PAMP, Valcambi, Metalor, etc.) – GoldCore |
| Certificate of authenticity | Assay card with serial number – GoldCore |
| Buy-back policy | Dealers buy back; banks do not – GoldCore sell-back |
| Minimum purchase | Typically 1 oz from online dealers – BullionByPost.ie |
How much is 1 bar of gold worth?
- Gold bar prices are determined by spot gold rate plus dealer premium (GoldCore — pricing).
- Standard bar sizes include 1 oz, 100g, 1kg, and 12.5kg (GoldCore — product range).
- Prices from Irish dealers: 1 oz from €3,739, 100g from €11,954, 1kg from €116,849 (BullionByPost.ie — current listings).
Real example: a 100g gold bar from BullionByPost.ie cost €12,108 at time of writing (BullionByPost.ie — price list).
How much is 1 g of gold in Ireland?
- One gram of 24k gold in bar form currently costs about €119.54 based on a 100g bar (BullionByPost.ie — per gram calculation).
- Smaller bars carry higher premiums — a 10g bar from Goldbank.ie costs €1,294, or €129.40 per gram (Goldbank.ie — pricing).
How much is a 12.5 kg gold bar worth today?
- A 12.5kg Good Delivery bar at spot roughly €1,460,600 using the 1kg price baseline (GoldCore — bar sizes).
- These bars are typically traded between institutions, not retail buyers.
How much is 1000 euros in gold?
- At €119.54/g, €1,000 buys about 8.4 grams of gold — less than a third of a troy ounce.
- Dealer premiums mean a 1/10 oz bar (3.1g) would cost roughly €400, leaving €600 unused.
The pattern: the per-gram cost drops as bar size increases, but your exit liquidity narrows — bigger bars are harder to sell in a hurry. The catch: a 1 kg bar saves you premium but locks you into a smaller buyer pool.
How much gold can you buy for $1000?
- At current gold spot prices, $1000 buys less than 0.5 oz of gold (GoldCore — bullion guide).
- Premiums on small bars may reduce the net gold weight — a 1/10 oz bar costs about €400 retail (Goldbank.ie — pricing).
- Consider fractional bars (1/10 oz, 20g) for smaller budgets (GoldCore — fractional options).
A $1,000 budget gets you a 20g bar at best, but the premium per gram is roughly 15% higher than buying a 100g bar. Small buyers pay for flexibility.
Why this matters: if you’re starting small, you’re paying more for less gold. Consider accumulating funds until you can buy a 1 oz bar — the premium spread narrows significantly.
Can I sell a gold bar to a bank?
- Most banks do not buy back gold bars from individuals (GoldCore — sell-back process).
- Specialist bullion dealers are the primary market for resale (GoldCore — sell-back process).
- In Ireland, selling gold may incur Capital Gains Tax (33% on profits) (GoldCore tax guide).
Do I get taxed if I sell gold?
- Capital Gains Tax applies to profits above the annual allowance (€1,270 in Ireland for 2025/2026) (GoldCore — CGT threshold).
- If you buy a 1 oz bar for €3,739 and sell for €4,500, your profit of €761 is below the threshold and tax-free.
- Profits above €1,270 are taxed at 33% on the excess.
How much tax do I pay if I sell gold?
- Example: buy 1 kg bar at €116,849, sell at €130,000. Profit = €13,151. Taxable profit after allowance = €13,151 – €1,270 = €11,881. Tax = €3,920.
- Always consult a tax advisor — rules can change (GoldCore — tax disclaimer).
The implication: selling gold is straightforward with dealers, but the tax hit can eat a third of your gains above the threshold. Plan your exit before you buy.
Do I have to pay tax on my gold?
- Holding gold is not subject to tax, but selling at a profit incurs CGT (GoldCore — holding vs selling).
- Gold coins may be exempt from VAT in some jurisdictions — Irish rules on 24k coins as investment gold are still ambiguous (BullionByPost.ie — VAT notes).
- Tax rules vary by country; consult a tax advisor (GoldCore — recommendation).
Investment-grade gold bars are VAT-exempt when bought through a dealer like GoldCore, but if you later sell at a profit, the Revenue takes 33% of the gain. Tax-free to hold, taxed to exit.
The pattern: the Irish tax system treats gold as a capital asset, not a consumable — so long-term holders face a tax event only when they realise gains. For small profits under €1,270, you owe nothing.
What if I invested $1000 in gold 10 years ago?
- Gold price has increased significantly over the last decade — spot rose from ~$1,200/oz in 2015 to ~$3,000/oz in 2025 (The Royal Mint — historical data).
- Historical data shows gold’s annual return averaging 7-10% (The Royal Mint — performance).
- Gold has acted as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty (GoldCore — inflation hedge).
A $1,000 investment in a 1 oz bar in 2015 (spot ~$1,150) would be worth about $3,000 today — a 160% gain before tax. After CGT on the $2,000 profit (assuming no allowance), you’d net $2,340 — still a 134% return.
Why this matters: gold has delivered strong real returns over the long run, but the tax drag on large gains matters. For an Irish investor, the CGT allowance shields modest gains, but six-figure profits get clipped.
| Bar size | Weight (approx) | Price range (Ireland) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 31.1 g | €3,739 – €3,788 | Small investors, gifts |
| 100 g | 100 g | €11,954 – €12,108 | Balanced investment |
| 1 kg | 1,000 g | €116,849 – €118,350 | Large investors, storage |
Steps to buy gold bars in Ireland
- Choose a reputable dealer — GoldCore, BullionByPost.ie, Goldbank.ie (GoldCore, BullionByPost.ie, Goldbank.ie).
- Select a bar size (1 oz, 100g, 1kg) based on budget and resale plans.
- Check the premium over spot — smaller bars cost more per gram.
- Verify VAT status — investment gold bars should be VAT-exempt.
- Order with insured delivery or choose secure storage (BullionByPost.ie — delivery).
- Store safely — home safe or allocated vault storage with GoldCore (GoldCore — storage).
- Keep purchase receipts for CGT reporting.
Upsides
- Tangible, portable asset that holds value
- VAT-exempt on investment bars from Irish dealers
- Strong historical returns as an inflation hedge
- Easy to buy online with insured delivery
Downsides
- Capital Gains Tax at 33% on profits above €1,270
- Banks refuse to buy back gold bars
- Higher premiums on small bars reduce net investment
- Storage costs if using professional vaulting
The choice between bar sizes and dealers depends on your budget and exit plan.
Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s still fuzzy
- Gold bars are sold at spot plus premium (GoldCore).
- Capital gains tax applies on profits from selling gold in Ireland (GoldCore tax guide).
- Banks generally do not buy back gold bars from individuals (GoldCore).
- Investment bars sold by Irish dealers are VAT-exempt (BullionByPost.ie).
- Exact tax treatment of gold coins vs bars in Ireland — conflicting signals from different sources (BullionByPost.co.uk).
- Future gold price performance
“We stock a wide range of gold bars available at low premiums above spot.”
— BullionByPost.ie, product page
“We are able to provide gold bars ranging in size from 1 oz to 400 oz.”
— Goldcore.ie, product range
For an Irish investor weighing whether to buy gold bars, the choice is clear: gold offers a proven store of value with tax advantages while you hold, but the CGT bill on large profits and the limited sell-back options through banks are real costs. Buy the smallest bar that fits your budget from a reputable dealer, store it securely, and keep your receipts. For larger sums, consider spread across multiple sizes to improve exit liquidity — otherwise your “investment” may stay locked in a safe until a buyer turns up.
buyinggold.ch, gerrardsbullion.com, goldcore.ie, sharpspixley.com, reddit.com, en.wikipedia.org
For a broader overview of the best prices and sizes for gold bars available in 2025, best prices and sizes for gold bars offers a comprehensive comparison across different brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best place to buy gold bars in Ireland?
GoldCore, BullionByPost.ie, and Goldbank.ie are the most established online dealers with transparent pricing and insured delivery (GoldCore, BullionByPost.ie, Goldbank.ie).
Are gold bars a good investment?
Gold has historically returned 7-10% annually and acts as an inflation hedge, but it does not generate income or dividends. For portfolio diversification within an Irish context, gold bars can be a sensible allocation of 5-10% (The Royal Mint).
How do I store gold bars safely?
Home storage in a certified fireproof safe is an option, but allocated storage through dealers like GoldCore costs around 1% per year and removes theft risk (GoldCore — storage).
What is the difference between gold bars and gold coins?
Bars are pure investment-grade metal with lower premiums per gram; coins often carry numismatic value and may be subject to different tax treatment. Both attract CGT on profits in Ireland (GoldCore tax guide).
Do gold bars come with a certificate of authenticity?
Most bars from LBMA-accredited refiners include an assay card or certificate verifying weight, purity, and serial number (GoldCore).
Can I buy gold bars online and have them delivered?
Yes — BullionByPost.ie and GoldCore offer insured delivery within Ireland. Delivery fees vary, and you’ll need to sign for the package (BullionByPost.ie).
What are the most reputable gold bar refiners?
LBMA-accredited refiners include PAMP, Valcambi, Metalor, and Royal Canadian Mint. Bars from these refiners are widely recognised and easy to resell (GoldCore).
How do I verify the authenticity of a gold bar?
Check the bar’s serial number and assay certificate against the refiner’s database. Many bars also have security features like holograms or micro-engraving (GoldCore).