How to Use DEGIRO’s Fractional ETF Investing Feature for Small EUR Portfolios

Fractional ETF investing has made it possible for European investors to build diversified portfolios with as little as €1 per trade. DEGIRO, one of Europe’s leading brokers, now offers this feature—enabling anyone to buy fractions of top ETFs, not just whole units. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use DEGIRO fractional ETF investing to put your small EUR portfolio to work, with step-by-step instructions, real-world examples, and actionable tips.

This article is particularly useful if you want to:

• Invest small amounts in expensive ETFs (like the iShares Core MSCI World, which can cost €100+ per share)
• Set up recurring investments with a fixed EUR amount
• Minimise idle cash and optimise for cost-efficiency

For a broader comparison of European ETF brokers, see our Ultimate 2026 Pillar Guide: Best Practices for Choosing a European ETF Broker.

Step 1: Check Eligibility for Fractional ETF Investing on DEGIRO

What to do: Log in to your DEGIRO account and confirm that fractional investing is supported in your country and for your account type.

• Go to DEGIRO’s official fee page to confirm your market access and any restrictions.
• Ensure you are using the latest version of the DEGIRO web platform or mobile app. Fractional investing is not available on older interfaces.
• Navigate to the ETF section and look for the “Fractional” tag on supported ETFs.

Why it matters: Not all DEGIRO clients or ETFs are eligible for fractional investing. This step prevents wasted time and frustration later.

What can go wrong: If your account isn’t verified, or your country isn’t supported, you won’t see the fractional feature. Some ETFs, especially niche or low-liquidity funds, may not be eligible either.

Step 2: Find Supported ETFs for Fractional Investing

What to do: Use DEGIRO’s search bar and filter for ETFs marked as “Fractional.” Popular choices include:

• iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (IE00B4L5Y983)
• Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (IE00B3RBWM25)
• Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (IE00BTJRMP35)

Click on an ETF to open its product page. Look for the “Fractional” badge—this confirms that you can buy less than one share.

Why it matters: Only a subset of ETFs are available for fractional investing. Picking the right ETF ensures your small EUR investments are accepted and executed smoothly.

What can go wrong: Attempting to place a fractional order for an unsupported ETF will result in an error. Always verify eligibility before proceeding.

Step 3: Place Your First Fractional ETF Order

What to do:

1. On the ETF’s product page, click “Buy.”
2. Select “Amount in EUR” instead of “Units.”
3. Enter your desired investment amount (e.g., €25).
4. Review the order summary. You’ll see the estimated fraction (e.g., 0.217 shares of the ETF).
5. Confirm and place your order.

Why it matters: Investing by EUR amount (not units) allows you to deploy your exact budget, maximising your money’s productivity—especially important with limited cash.

What can go wrong: If you mistakenly enter a number of units instead of a EUR amount, your order may be rejected for insufficient funds or you may over-invest. Double-check that you’re using the “Amount in EUR” input.

Expected outcome: You should see a confirmation that your order is placed. Once executed, your portfolio will show a holding with a fractional number of shares (e.g., 0.217).

Step 4: Understand Fees and Cost Structure

What to do: Review DEGIRO’s fee schedule for ETFs, especially for fractional trades. As of 2026:

• Core selection ETFs: Free monthly trade (check the official list for eligibility)
• Other ETFs: €2.00 + 0.03% per trade (subject to change)
• No additional fee for fractional trades compared to whole-share trades

Why it matters: Small portfolios are especially sensitive to fees. Trading too often or outside the core selection can erode returns.

What can go wrong: Placing multiple small trades in non-core ETFs can generate disproportionate fees. Always check if your ETF is in the free core selection before setting up recurring buys.

Step 5: Set Up a Recurring Investment (Savings Plan)

What to do:

1. On DEGIRO’s web platform, navigate to your chosen ETF’s page.
2. Locate the “Recurring Investment” or “Savings Plan” option (may be called “Periodic Order” in some countries).
3. Choose the amount in EUR you wish to invest (e.g., €50/month).
4. Select your preferred frequency (monthly, bi-weekly, etc.).
5. Confirm your plan and ensure your account is funded before each investment date.

Why it matters: Automating your investments ensures discipline, reduces market timing risk, and helps you build wealth gradually—even with small amounts.

What can go wrong: If your account lacks sufficient EUR funds on the investment date, your recurring order will not execute. Set a calendar reminder to top up your balance in advance.

Expected outcome: You should see your recurring investment scheduled. After each execution, your portfolio will update with the new fractional ETF amount purchased.

Step 6: Monitor and Optimise Your Small EUR Portfolio

What to do:

• Review your portfolio after each buy to ensure everything is executed correctly.
• Check your cash balance and automate transfers if possible.
• Rebalance annually or when your allocation drifts significantly due to market moves.

Why it matters: Small portfolios are vulnerable to “cash drag” (uninvested EUR sitting idle) and over-concentration. Monitoring helps you stay on track and compound your returns.

What can go wrong: Neglecting your account can lead to missed buys, unexpected fees, or unbalanced allocations over time.

Common Mistakes When Using DEGIRO Fractional ETF Investing

• Choosing unsupported ETFs: Not all ETFs are eligible. Always check for the “Fractional” tag.
• Overtrading small amounts: Fees can eat up returns if you trade too often, especially outside the core selection.
• Forgetting to fund your account: Recurring investments fail if your balance is too low.
• Ignoring cost ratios: High-TER ETFs can quietly erode small portfolios.
• Neglecting to track performance: Without monitoring, you won’t know if you’re meeting your goals.

Next Steps

• Explore DEGIRO’s official registration page if you haven’t opened an account yet.
• Compare DEGIRO with other brokers using our Interactive Brokers vs. DEGIRO: Which Offers the Best User Experience for ETF Investors in 2026?
• For tax optimisation, see our guide on EU Tax Loss Harvesting with Trade Republic or DEGIRO.
• If you ever need to change brokers, read How to Transfer Your Investment Portfolio Between European Brokers in 2026 (Without Losing Your Mind!).
• For a complete overview of ETF account setup, check How to Open Your First ETF Account in Europe: Step-by-Step for 2026 Beginners.

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.