How to Set Up Automatic Monthly Investing With Trade Republic or DEGIRO in 2026

Automatic investing—also known as a “Sparplan” (savings plan) or recurring investment—is one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth. By setting up a monthly investment plan, you’ll benefit from discipline, the power of euro-cost averaging, and the compounding effect over time. This guide shows you, step by step, how to automate monthly investing using Trade Republic and DEGIRO—two of Europe’s most popular brokers in 2026.

For a detailed comparison of these two brokers, see DEGIRO vs. Trade Republic for Stock and ETF Investing in 2026: Which Broker Offers the Best Value?

Step 1: Choose Your Broker and Investment Product

What to do:
Decide whether you’ll use Trade Republic or DEGIRO, and select the ETF, stock, or fund you want to invest in monthly. For most European retail investors, a diversified ETF such as the iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983) is a popular starting point.

Why it matters:
Your choice will impact fees, available products, minimum investment amounts, and automation features. Trade Republic is renowned for its user-friendly ETF and stock savings plans with very low minimums (€1+), while DEGIRO offers a broader range but less automation.

• Trade Republic: Best for effortless automation and low entry point. Great for hands-off investors.
• DEGIRO: Offers access to more ETFs and global markets, but recurring investing is less seamless.

What can go wrong:
Choosing a product with high fees, low liquidity, or one not available for recurring purchases on your chosen platform. Always double-check ISINs and product details.

Step 2: Fund Your Account

What to do:
Transfer the amount you plan to invest monthly (plus a small buffer for fees) into your Trade Republic or DEGIRO account from your linked bank account.

• Trade Republic: Go to Profile → Deposit Money, select your linked IBAN, and initiate a SEPA transfer.
• DEGIRO: Log in, go to Deposit/Withdraw, copy your unique DEGIRO IBAN & reference, and make a SEPA transfer from your bank.

Why it matters:
Recurring investments will only execute if sufficient cash is available in your broker account before the scheduled date. Transfers can take 1–2 business days.

What can go wrong:
If your account balance is too low, the monthly investment will fail, and you may miss out on a buying opportunity.

Step 3: Set Up an Automatic Investment Plan (Sparplan) on Trade Republic

What to do:
Trade Republic makes recurring investing exceptionally easy. Here’s how to set up a monthly ETF or stock savings plan:

1. Open the Trade Republic app (or website) and log in.
2. Tap Portfolio at the bottom.
3. Tap Savings Plan (or “Sparpläne”).
4. Tap the + icon to add a new plan.
5. Search for your chosen ETF or stock by name or ISIN (e.g., “iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF” or “IE00B4L5Y983”).
6. Select the product and tap Create Savings Plan.
7. Enter the amount to invest monthly (minimum €1, increments of €1).
8. Choose the frequency (“Monthly” is standard) and the execution date (e.g., 1st or 15th of the month).
9. Confirm the details and authorize with your PIN/biometrics.

Expected outcome: You should now see your savings plan listed with details (product, amount, schedule). On the chosen date, Trade Republic will automatically invest your specified amount, buying fractional shares if necessary.

Why it matters:
This automation removes emotion from investing, enforces consistency, and lets you benefit from cost averaging over time.

What can go wrong:
If you select the wrong product, invest the wrong amount, or have insufficient funds, the plan may not execute as intended. Always double-check all details before confirming.

Step 4: Set Up Recurring Investing With DEGIRO

What to do:
DEGIRO does not (as of 2026) offer fully automated “Sparpläne” like Trade Republic. However, you can create a recurring order workflow:

1. Log into your DEGIRO account via the website or app.
2. Ensure your account has at least €20 (DEGIRO’s minimum order size).
3. Search for your chosen ETF by name or ISIN (e.g., “IE00B4L5Y983”).
4. Click Buy.
5. Enter the amount or number of shares. For cost averaging, use “Market Order” and input your monthly amount (e.g., €50). Note: DEGIRO does not support fractional shares, so you’ll need to buy whole shares (e.g., 0.5 shares not allowed).
6. Review the order and confirm.
7. Repeat this process manually each month, or set a recurring calendar reminder.

Expected outcome: After your manual order, you’ll see the ETF or stock added to your portfolio. Over time, your position will grow with each monthly purchase.

Why it matters:
While not fully automatic, this method still enforces a monthly investing habit. DEGIRO’s low costs and wide range make it ideal for those willing to do a little manual work.

What can go wrong:
Since you must place the order yourself, you could forget, mistime the market, or accidentally skip a month. Also, since DEGIRO only allows purchasing full shares, some months you may not be able to invest the full intended amount.

Step 5: Monitor and Adjust Your Plan

What to do:
Check your broker app monthly to confirm that your investments are processing as planned. Review your portfolio at least quarterly and adjust the amount or product if your situation changes.

• Trade Republic: Edit or pause your savings plan anytime under Portfolio → Savings Plan.
• DEGIRO: Adjust the amount you transfer and the number of shares you buy each month.

Why it matters:
Regular monitoring helps you catch errors early, adapt to changes in your financial situation, and stay on track with your goals.

What can go wrong:
Neglecting your plan could mean missed investments, accumulating too much cash, or drifting from your intended asset allocation.

Pros and Cons of Automatic Investing on Trade Republic and DEGIRO (2026)

	Trade Republic	DEGIRO
Automation	Full (Savings Plans)	Manual (no real Sparplan)
Minimum Amount	€1/month	~€20/trade (full shares only)
Fractional Shares	Yes	No
Fees	Often €0 for eligible ETFs	€0 for selected ETFs (see list), small fee otherwise
Product Range	Large, but less than DEGIRO	Largest in Europe
User-Friendliness	Very high	Moderate

For a step-by-step on opening a brokerage account, see How to Open and Verify Your First European Brokerage Account (Step-by-Step 2026 Guide).

Common Mistakes

• Insufficient funds: If your broker account isn’t funded in time, your monthly investment will fail.
• Wrong product selection: Accidentally choosing an ETF, stock, or fund with high TER (Total Expense Ratio) or low liquidity.
• Not monitoring plans: Failing to check your plan periodically can result in missed investments or errors going unnoticed.
• Manual DEGIRO orders: Forgetting to place your order on time, leading to missed months.
• Ignoring fees: Not all ETFs are commission-free every month; always check the current lists and terms.

Next Steps

• Set up a recurring bank transfer to fund your broker account in advance of your scheduled investment date.
• Consider gradually increasing your monthly contribution as your income grows.
• Review your investment choice at least annually to ensure it still fits your goals and risk tolerance.
• Explore additional tools and features on your broker (e.g., dividend reinvestment, tax reporting).

By automating your monthly investments with Trade Republic or DEGIRO, you harness the power of discipline and compounding—two of the most effective drivers of long-term wealth creation. Whether you prefer full automation (Trade Republic) or a hands-on approach (DEGIRO), consistency is what counts.

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.