Before You Start
- Be a resident of a European Economic Area (EEA) country where DEGIRO and/or Trade Republic operates (see their DEGIRO FAQ and Trade Republic Help Center for eligibility).
- Have a verified account with at least one broker (DEGIRO or Trade Republic).
- Have access to online banking for EUR transfers.
- Understand the basics of ETFs, stocks, and order types.
Time needed: 30–45 minutes for setup and your first fractional purchase
What you'll need: Smartphone or computer, valid ID, proof of address, bank account (SEPA zone)
Fractional shares are revolutionising how European investors build diversified portfolios, allowing you to buy less than one full share of stocks or ETFs. This guide will walk you through buying and selling fractional shares on DEGIRO and Trade Republic as of 2026, with concrete EUR examples, platform-specific steps, and actionable tips. You’ll also learn about eligibility, costs, advantages, and the key caveats around dividends and tax. We’ll finish with a comparison to Interactive Brokers and practical next steps.
For broader context on choosing the best broker for your ETF portfolio, see How to Choose the Best Broker for Your ETF Portfolio: DEGIRO vs. Trade Republic vs. Interactive Brokers in 2026.
Why Fractional Shares Matter for European Investors (2026)
- Access expensive shares: Buy €10 worth of an ETF or stock priced at €500+.
- Easy diversification: Build a balanced portfolio with small amounts.
- Perfect for regular investing: Automate monthly investments without worrying about share prices.
Fractional shares are especially useful for popular ETFs like Vanguard FTSE All-World (VWCE) or iShares Core MSCI World (IWDA), where a single share can cost over €100. With fractional investing, you can put in €50 and still own a proportional slice of the fund.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Account Setup
What to do: Confirm that you have a fully verified account with DEGIRO or Trade Republic, and that fractional shares are available in your country for the assets you want to buy.
Why it matters: Not all products or countries are eligible for fractional trading as of 2026. Trade Republic supports fractional shares for many large-cap European and US stocks and the most popular ETFs. DEGIRO’s rollout is more limited and primarily covers major ETFs.
- DEGIRO: Log in, go to "Products" → "ETFs", and look for the fractional icon or "Buy in fractions" label. Check their official FAQ for the latest list.
- Trade Republic: In the app, search for your desired stock/ETF. If fractional purchases are enabled, you’ll see an option to enter a EUR amount instead of just the number of shares. See the official help article.
What can go wrong? Not all assets are eligible. Some older accounts may need to update terms to enable fractionals. Contact support if you don’t see the option.
Step 2: Fund Your Account in EUR
What to do: Transfer EUR funds into your broker account using SEPA transfer or instant top-up options.
Why it matters: You need available EUR balance to place fractional share orders. For most brokers, only settled cash can be used for purchases.
- DEGIRO: Go to "Deposit/Withdraw" → "Deposit Funds". Use the provided SEPA details to transfer from your bank. Transfers typically settle within 1–2 business days.
- Trade Republic: Tap "Account" → "Deposit". Choose instant top-up (if available) or use the provided IBAN for a SEPA transfer.
What can go wrong? Transfers from non-SEPA banks will be rejected. Make sure the name on your bank account matches your brokerage registration.
Pro Tip
Initiate transfers early in the week to avoid weekend settlement delays. Trade Republic now supports instant top-ups for many European banks, letting you invest the same day.
Step 3: Select Your Asset and Check Fractional Eligibility
What to do: In your broker’s search function, look for the ETF or stock you wish to buy. Confirm it supports fractional purchases.
Why it matters: You can only invest in fractions if the broker enables this for the specific asset. As of 2026, most popular ETFs such as VWCE (Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF, ISIN: IE00BK5BQT80) and IWDA (iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF, ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983) are supported.
- DEGIRO: Search "VWCE" or "IWDA". If eligible, you’ll see a "Fractional" label or a slider to enter an amount in EUR.
- Trade Republic: Tap "Search" → enter "VWCE". On the asset page, you’ll see the option "Buy in EUR" or a slider for amount.
What can go wrong? If you don’t see the option, the asset isn’t eligible for fractional trading. Try a different ETF or check platform updates.
Step 4: Place a Fractional Buy Order
What to do: Enter the EUR amount you want to invest (e.g., €50), review the estimated fraction, and confirm the order.
Why it matters: This lets you invest any amount, regardless of the asset’s share price. For example, if VWCE trades at €115 per share, a €50 order will buy approximately 0.434 shares (before fees).
- DEGIRO: On the ETF page, select "Buy", set order type to "Market", and enter amount (e.g., €50). Confirm and authorize the transaction.
- Trade Republic: Tap "Buy", choose "Amount in EUR", enter €50, and confirm. You’ll see a summary with the expected fractional share (e.g., 0.434 VWCE). Authorize via PIN or biometrics.
Expected outcome: Within seconds (Trade Republic) or minutes (DEGIRO), your portfolio should show an additional line for the ETF or stock, with the exact fractional amount purchased and its EUR value.
Pro Tip
On Trade Republic, you can automate fractional buys with a Savings Plan. Go to "Portfolio" → "Savings Plan" → "Select ETF/Stock", set a monthly amount (from €1), and confirm. This is ideal for euro-cost averaging and building positions over time.
Step 5: Monitor Your Holdings and Dividends
What to do: Check your portfolio dashboard to track the current value, fractional quantity, and any dividends received.
Why it matters: Fractional shares entitle you to proportional dividends, but the handling differs by broker. Always monitor for correct payouts, especially during ex-dividend months.
- DEGIRO: Dividends on fractional ETFs are credited as cash, rounded to the nearest cent. For example, if you own 0.434 VWCE and the dividend is €0.50/share, you’ll receive €0.22.
- Trade Republic: Dividends are also paid proportionally and credited to your cash balance. Check the "Activity" or "Dividends" section for details.
What can go wrong? For very small fractions, dividends may fall below the minimum payout threshold (typically €0.01), and may be rounded down. Tax reporting may be more complex for fractional positions.
Pro Tip
Download your annual statement in January to check all dividend and tax information, especially if you own several small fractions across different assets.
Step 6: Sell Fractional Shares
What to do: To sell, enter the exact EUR amount or the fraction you want to liquidate. Confirm the order and review the settlement in your cash account.
Why it matters: Selling fractionals is as easy as buying, but you may only be able to sell market orders (not limits) for fractions.
- DEGIRO: Go to the asset, select "Sell", and enter the amount or fraction. Confirm the transaction. Proceeds settle to your cash account within 1–2 business days.
- Trade Republic: Tap the asset, select "Sell", choose "Amount in EUR" or the full fraction, and confirm. Cash is credited almost instantly.
What can go wrong? Fractional sells are executed as market orders. In rare cases of low liquidity, you may get a slightly worse price than expected. Full share sales allow more order types.
Costs, Minimums, and Platform Differences
- DEGIRO:
- Fractional trades have the same fee schedule as full shares (typically €1–€2 per ETF trade, plus Euronext/market fees).
- Minimum trade: usually €1, but check the platform for asset-specific rules.
- Trade Republic:
- No commission for fractional trades; a fixed €1 "external fee" per transaction.
- Minimum fractional buy: €1 (as of 2026).
- Automated savings plans: free for many ETFs/stocks, but check current promotions.
Example: Buying €50 of VWCE on Trade Republic incurs a €1 fee, so you’re effectively investing €49. On DEGIRO, a €2 fee on a €50 trade is relatively higher (4%)—consider saving up for larger purchases to reduce the impact.
Practical Tips for Fractional Share Investors
- Start with automated monthly investments (savings plans) to build discipline and benefit from euro-cost averaging.
- Use fractional shares to rebalance your portfolio precisely. For a practical guide, see How to Rebalance a 60/40 Portfolio With Trade Republic or DEGIRO.
- Track all fees, especially if making frequent small trades.
- For all-in-one ETF comparisons, see Which European Broker Is Best for All-in-One ETFs?
Dividend and Tax Caveats
- Fractional shares receive proportional dividends, but rounding can reduce payouts for very small positions.
- Tax reporting is the same as for whole shares, but check your broker’s annual tax report for fractional details.
- Some brokers withhold dividend taxes at source; confirm your country’s double taxation treaties.
Comparison: DEGIRO vs. Trade Republic vs. Interactive Brokers
- DEGIRO: Good for occasional investors, broad ETF access, slightly higher fees for small trades.
- Trade Republic: Best for regular fractional investing and automated savings plans, lowest cost for small monthly amounts, strong mobile app.
- Interactive Brokers: Global access, supports fractional US shares, lowest fees for large portfolios, but more complex interface and minimums (see parent pillar for a full comparison).
For a full breakdown, see How to Choose the Best Broker for Your ETF Portfolio: DEGIRO vs. Trade Republic vs. Interactive Brokers in 2026.
Common Mistakes When Using Fractional Shares
- Assuming all ETFs or stocks are eligible—always check before funding your account.
- Ignoring fees: Small trades can be disproportionately expensive on some platforms.
- Forgetting about dividend rounding—don't expect to receive every cent on micro-fractions.
- Using only market orders: Limit orders are often unavailable for fractional trades.
- Neglecting to download annual tax reports for proper reporting.
Next Steps
- Test a small fractional buy (e.g., €10 of VWCE) to get familiar with the process.
- Set up an automated savings plan on Trade Republic for your chosen ETF.
- Review your broker’s annual tax statement for fractional share details.
- Read more about new platform features in Trade Republic’s 2026 Features Update.
- Explore other tutorials like How to Buy Your First All-in-One ETF on Trade Republic or DEGIRO for step-by-step ETF investing.
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.