How to Open a Trade Republic Account
(2026, EU investors)
Trade Republic is one of the cheapest entry points for EU retail investors: zero custody fees, EUR 0 savings plan executions, and a EUR 1 flat fee on manual trades. The account opens in the mobile app in under 10 minutes. This guide covers every step from download to first investment — including the documents you need and the one thing most guides miss.
What you’ll need to open a Trade Republic account
Gather these four items before you start. Having them ready cuts the opening time to under 10 minutes and avoids the most common verification failure: starting the ID check without the physical document at hand.
- Passport or national ID card — must be valid and physically in your hand for the biometric scan. Expired documents are rejected automatically.
- Proof of address (only if your ID does not show your current address) — accepted: registration certificate dated within 6 months, income tax declaration dated within 12 months, or a residence permit. Screenshots are not accepted.
- IBAN of an EU SEPA bank account in your name — this becomes your linked reference account for all withdrawals. The name must match exactly.
- Smartphone with iOS or Android — the entire opening flow runs in the Trade Republic mobile app. You cannot complete registration on a desktop browser.
Download the app and enter your mobile number
Everything starts in the app. Unlike most brokers, Trade Republic does not offer a web-based registration form — the mobile app is the only entry point for new accounts.
- Download the Trade Republic app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the app and tap Open a securities account now.
- Select your country of residence from the list of supported markets.
- Enter your EU mobile phone number. A 4-digit SMS code is sent immediately — enter it to confirm your number.
- If you have a referral or promo code, enter it on the next screen. Referral codes applied after this step may not qualify for the bonus.
Enter personal and tax details
This section collects the regulatory information Trade Republic is required to hold under MiFID II and EU AML rules. Have your details ready — the form covers more ground than a typical sign-up screen.
- First name, last name, email address
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality
- Permanent residential address
- Country of tax residence and Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Confirmation that you are not a US citizen or US tax resident (W-8BEN equivalent)
Verify your identity
Identity verification is the step where most delays happen. Getting the lighting and document positioning right on the first attempt avoids a reset and a potential 24-hour wait for a re-review.
| Method | How it works | When used |
|---|---|---|
| Fourthline (in-app) | Automated biometric scan of your ID + selfie video. Runs entirely in the app. | Default for most markets |
| WebID / MyWebID | Live video call with a verification agent. Accessible via app or PC browser. | Fallback if in-app scan fails |
- Use good ambient lighting — avoid direct overhead glare that creates reflections on the ID surface.
- Hold your ID flat and fully within the on-screen frame. Do not tilt or angle it.
- Make sure the holograms and security features on the ID are visible to the camera.
- Disable screen brightness auto-adjust before the selfie step.
- If the scan fails twice, switch to the WebID/MyWebID video option immediately rather than retrying.
Link your SEPA reference account and complete the questionnaire
Two tasks happen in parallel in this step. They are quick, but both have a common failure point worth knowing before you reach them.
Enter the IBAN of a SEPA bank account held exactly in your name. Trade Republic uses this account as the sole destination for all withdrawals. If the name on your Trade Republic registration does not match the name on the bank account, funding transfers may be reversed and trading access delayed.
MiFID II requires brokers to assess your knowledge and experience. The questionnaire covers your familiarity with stocks, ETFs, bonds, and derivatives. Answer honestly — Trade Republic may restrict access to certain instruments if declared experience is very low. You can update your answers in the app after opening.
Fund your account and place your first trade
Your securities account is technically open after Step 4, but trading is locked until the Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) contract is confirmed by a minimum deposit. A EUR 1 transfer is enough to unlock it.
| Method | Settlement time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SEPA bank transfer | 1–3 business days | Must originate from your linked reference account. Free. |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Instant | Available in most markets. Bank anti-fraud blocks can interfere — remove and re-add the card to the wallet if a payment fails. |
| Debit / Credit card | Instant | Available in most markets. High-velocity triggers from issuing banks can block the first attempt. |
Trade Republic costs at a glance
The cost structure is straightforward, but there are two line items worth understanding before you trade: the EUR 1 flat fee applies to manual orders only, and the FX spread on non-EUR assets is not a published percentage.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commission (manual trade) | EUR 1 flat | Charged by the third-party settlement provider (not by Trade Republic). Applies to stocks, ETFs, bonds, and crypto. |
| Savings plan (Sparplan) | EUR 0 | The EUR 1 fee does not apply to automated savings plan executions. This is the most cost-efficient way to invest regularly. |
| Annual custody fee | 0% | No annual or monthly platform charge. |
| Minimum deposit | EUR 1 | Required only to activate the QES contract and unlock trading. No ongoing minimum balance. |
| FX markup (non-EUR assets) | Not published | FX is embedded in the Lang and Schwarz exchange spread. Conservative model estimate: 0.5–1.0% per trade. EUR-denominated UCITS ETFs traded on European exchanges carry no additional FX charge. |
| Cash interest | Variable | Paid on uninvested cash balances. Check the current rate on the Trade Republic website before depositing idle cash. |
| Debit card (virtual) | Free | Physical Classic card: EUR 5. Mirror card: EUR 50. One-time issuance fee — no annual charge. |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Available via market orders on Lang and Schwarz exchange (LSX). Minimum investment: EUR 1. |
Setting up your first savings plan (Sparplan)
The savings plan is Trade Republic’s strongest feature for long-term ETF investors. Automated plan executions cost EUR 0 — no EUR 1 fee — making it the lowest-cost recurring investment option among major EU neobrokers for small monthly amounts.
- Minimum execution amount: EUR 1
- Scheduling options: Weekly, twice monthly (bi-weekly), monthly, or quarterly
- Execution venue: Lang and Schwarz exchange (LSX), within XETRA trading hours
- Supported assets: ETFs, stocks, crypto, and fractional bond positions
- Fee per execution: EUR 0 — the EUR 1 settlement fee does not apply
- Search for the ETF or stock you want to invest in.
- Tap the asset and select Savings Plan.
- Enter the recurring amount (minimum EUR 1) and choose your schedule.
- Confirm the plan. Trade Republic will execute on your chosen cadence on the 2nd, 9th, 16th, or 23rd of the month depending on schedule.
Ready to open your Trade Republic account?
Download the app, have your ID and SEPA IBAN ready, and the account opens in under 10 minutes. Savings plan executions are EUR 0 — manual trades are EUR 1 flat.
Open Trade Republic Account →Can I open a Trade Republic account on desktop?
No. The account opening flow runs entirely through the mobile app — iOS or Android. You cannot complete registration on a desktop browser. Once your account is open, you can view your portfolio on the Trade Republic website, but all onboarding steps require the app.
How long does it take to open a Trade Republic account?
Trade Republic states the process usually takes under 10 minutes. Identity verification via the Fourthline biometric scan resolves in minutes when conditions are good. During high sign-up volumes or outside business hours, individual compliance reviews can extend approval to up to 48 hours. Trading can begin as soon as verification is approved and a first deposit is registered.
What documents do I need to open a Trade Republic account?
A valid passport or national identity card is required. If your ID does not show your current address — for example, a non-German national ID used in a video identification flow — Trade Republic will request a proof of address. Accepted documents include a registration certificate dated within 6 months, a national ID with address, a residence permit, or an income tax declaration dated within 12 months. Screenshots are not accepted.
Is there a minimum deposit to open a Trade Republic account?
There is no minimum balance requirement. The cash account is opened free of charge. A minimum transfer of EUR 1 from your linked SEPA reference account is required within 30 days to complete the Qualified Electronic Signature contract and activate full trading access. If no transfer is made within 30 days, the onboarding file is automatically closed and you would need to restart the application.
Which European countries is Trade Republic available in?
As of 2026, Trade Republic is available in 18 European markets: Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Poland. Applicants must be permanent residents in one of these countries. Trade Republic cannot always open accounts immediately due to regulatory review requirements in certain jurisdictions.
Are Trade Republic savings plan executions free?
Yes. Savings plan (Sparplan) executions are free — the EUR 1 external settlement fee applies to manual orders only. You can run automated savings plans in ETFs, stocks, crypto, and bonds from as little as EUR 1 per execution. Scheduling options are weekly, twice monthly, monthly, or quarterly.
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