How to Automate Your Investments on Trade Republic and DEGIRO (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Automating your investments is one of the smartest ways to build wealth and reduce emotional decision-making. In this deep, practical tutorial, you’ll learn how to automate ETF and stock purchases on Trade Republic and DEGIRO—two of Europe’s most popular brokers. We’ll walk through every step, from setting up recurring investments to understanding minimums, fees, and common pitfalls, with all examples in EUR (€).

If you’re not sure which broker is best for you, see our Trade Republic vs. DEGIRO vs. Interactive Brokers comparison for a broader overview.

Step 1: Choose Your Platform and Investment Asset

What to do: Decide whether to use Trade Republic, DEGIRO, or both for your automated investing. Then select the ETF(s) or stocks you want to invest in regularly. For most beginner and intermediate investors, broad ETFs like iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (IWDA, ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983) are popular. This ETF is available on both platforms and is a top pick for European investors—see why in our IWDA ETF deep dive.

Why it matters: Not all ETFs or stocks can be automated on every platform. Both brokers offer different automation features and asset selections. Knowing your investment target ensures you won’t get stuck mid-setup.

What can go wrong: Some niche ETFs or foreign stocks may not be available for automated plans. Always check the platform’s list before proceeding.

Step 2: Set Up Automated Investments on Trade Republic

What to do:

1. Open the Trade Republic app or web platform and log in.
2. Tap Portfolio → Savings Plan (or “Sparplan” if in German).
3. Tap Create Savings Plan.
4. Search for your chosen ETF or stock (e.g., “IWDA” or “iShares Core MSCI World”).
5. Select the asset, then enter your monthly (or bi-weekly) investment amount. Minimum is €1 per plan, but most users start at €25–€50 for meaningful compounding.
6. Choose your execution date (e.g., 1st or 15th of each month).
7. Confirm payment method (linked bank account or Trade Republic cash balance).
8. Review the summary, check for fees (see below), and confirm the plan.

Why it matters: Trade Republic’s savings plan feature allows you to invest automatically without manual orders. This reduces “timing” errors and keeps your strategy consistent.

What can go wrong: If your cash balance is insufficient on execution day, the plan will fail. Also, some assets (especially individual stocks) may not be eligible for savings plans—always check before setting up.

• Minimum amount: €1 per plan (but €25+ recommended for efficiency)
• Fees: As of 2026, ETF savings plans are free on Trade Republic, while stock savings plans have a €1 execution fee.

Expected outcome: After confirming, you should see your new savings plan listed under the Savings Plan section, with the next scheduled investment date and amount shown.

For a more detailed walkthrough of Trade Republic’s automation features, see our Trade Republic savings plan tutorial.

Step 3: Set Up Automated Investments on DEGIRO

What to do:

1. Log in to your DEGIRO web platform (the app does not currently support automation as of 2026).
2. Go to Products → ETFs and search for your chosen ETF (e.g., “IWDA” or “VWCE”).
3. Check if your ETF is on the DEGIRO Core Selection (zero-commission ETFs list). Most popular broad ETFs are included.
4. DEGIRO does not offer true “savings plan” automation. However, you can automate purchases using standing orders (recurring SEPA transfers) and order templates via the web platform.
5. Set up a monthly SEPA transfer from your bank to your DEGIRO account (e.g., €200/month, timed 2 days before your planned purchase).
6. Create an order template for your ETF purchase (e.g., buy 1 share of IWDA at market price). Save this template for quick reuse.
7. Set a recurring calendar reminder to log in and execute your saved order template manually each month.

Why it matters: While not fully automated, this workflow minimizes manual steps. DEGIRO’s low fees (especially for Core Selection ETFs) make it attractive for cost-conscious investors.

What can go wrong: Forgetting to log in and place the order means you miss your investment schedule. If your SEPA transfer is delayed, you may not have enough funds available. Also, market orders can result in slightly different buy prices each month.

• Minimum amount: Typically the price of one ETF share (e.g., IWDA trades around €85–€95/share in 2026; fractional shares are not supported on DEGIRO)
• Fees: Core Selection ETFs can be bought commission-free once per month; other ETFs/stocks incur €2–€3 order fees.

Expected outcome: After each manual execution, you should see your ETF shares appear in your DEGIRO portfolio, with the transaction listed in your activity log.

Step 4: Monitor and Optimise Your Automation

What to do: Check your portfolio and scheduled investments every 1–2 months. Make sure funds are transferring as expected, and that your automation is executing correctly. Adjust amounts or assets as your financial situation changes.

Why it matters: Automation is powerful, but only if it’s functioning as planned. Over time, you may want to increase your contribution, rebalance your portfolio, or switch to a different ETF.

What can go wrong: Failing to monitor can result in missed investments, excess cash sitting uninvested, or drifting away from your target allocation if the market moves significantly.

• On Trade Republic, you can pause, modify, or cancel savings plans anytime.
• On DEGIRO, you’ll need to manually adjust your SEPA transfer or order template if your plan changes.

Step 5: Example Automated Portfolio (EUR)

Here’s a simple example of a diversified, automated portfolio using both platforms:

• Trade Republic: Monthly savings plan, €100 into IWDA (free execution)
• DEGIRO: Monthly SEPA transfer of €200, manual purchase of 2 shares of VWCE (Core Selection, €0 commission for first order each month)

After 1 year, you’d have invested €1,200 on Trade Republic and €2,400 on DEGIRO, with all purchases executed automatically or via quick manual templates.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Insufficient funds: Your automation will fail if your account isn’t funded before the scheduled purchase.
• Wrong ETF ticker: Always double-check the ISIN and ticker—some ETFs have similar names but different domiciles or currencies.
• Ignoring platform fees: Trade Republic ETF plans are free, but stock plans aren’t. DEGIRO’s Core ETFs are free only once per month per ISIN—extra trades cost more.
• Overcomplicating your portfolio: Beginners should stick to 1–2 broad ETFs. Too many holdings make automation harder to track.
• Forgetting to adjust as you grow: Increase your monthly amount as your income rises, and review your asset mix annually.

Next Steps

• Compare platform features and costs in our Trade Republic vs. DEGIRO vs. IBKR comparison.
• Deepen your knowledge of ETF investing with our IWDA ETF guide.
• Consider the pros and cons of dividend investing in Europe in our dividend investing article.
• Always keep learning—automation is a tool, not a substitute for understanding your investments.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consider consulting a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.