How to Use Fractional Shares on Trade Republic and DEGIRO as a European Investor

Fractional shares are transforming access to global markets for European investors. Instead of needing hundreds or thousands of euros to buy a single share of Amazon or a broad ETF, you can now invest starting from as little as €1. In this tutorial, you'll learn how fractional investing works on Trade Republic and DEGIRO in 2026, which assets are eligible, what restrictions apply, and how to build a diversified portfolio even with a small budget. We'll compare these platforms with Interactive Brokers, provide EUR-denominated examples, and highlight pitfalls to avoid.

For a broader look at choosing the right broker, see our guide to picking the best European broker for ETFs, stocks, and crypto in 2026.

Step 1: Understand How Fractional Shares Work in Europe

What to do: Learn what fractional shares are and why they're a game changer for European investors.

• Definition: Fractional shares allow you to buy a portion of a share, rather than a whole unit. For example, if 1 share of LVMH trades at €800, you can buy 0.05 shares for €40.
• Why it matters: This makes expensive stocks and ETFs affordable and enables precise portfolio allocation, even with small amounts.
• What can go wrong: Not all brokers or assets support fractional shares, and minimum investment amounts and settlement rules may differ.

Key Fact: As of 2026, most European retail brokers offer fractional trading for leading US and EU stocks and ETFs, but always check their asset lists.

Step 2: Check Which Assets Support Fractional Trading

What to do: Review the available fractional assets on your chosen broker before funding your account.

• Trade Republic: Supports fractional trading for most S&P 500 and DAX stocks, plus 2,500+ ETFs. See their official help page.
• DEGIRO: Launched fractional shares for select ETFs in 2025, including popular iShares and Vanguard funds. As of 2026, individual stocks are still not available fractionally. See their fractional investing FAQ.
• Interactive Brokers: Offers the broadest range, including US and EU stocks and ETFs. See our fee and feature comparison for more details.

Why it matters: Not all assets are eligible—especially on DEGIRO. Plan your portfolio accordingly.

What can go wrong: Attempting to buy a fractional share of an ineligible asset will result in an error or failed order.

Step 3: Fund Your Account in EUR

What to do: Deposit euros into your Trade Republic or DEGIRO account using a SEPA transfer or instant top-up.

1. Log in to your broker app.
2. Navigate to "Deposit" or "Add Funds."
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to transfer at least €10–€20.

Why it matters: Fractional orders are EUR-based. You need sufficient cash to cover your planned purchases and any fees.

What can go wrong: Bank transfers can take 1–2 business days. Instant top-ups (Trade Republic) may have small fees.

Step 4: Place a Fractional Share Order on Trade Republic

What to do: Buy a fractional share of a stock or ETF using the Trade Republic app.

1. Open the Trade Republic app and log in.
2. Search for your chosen asset (e.g., "iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF" – ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983).
3. Tap "Buy."
4. Enter the exact EUR amount you wish to invest (e.g., €20). The app will show you the corresponding fractional quantity (e.g., 0.17 units at €116/share).
5. Review the order summary and confirm.

Expected outcome: You should now see your first ETF purchase confirmed, with a value of approximately €20 and a fractional unit displayed in your portfolio.

Why it matters: Trade Republic makes it easy to invest small amounts and build diversified portfolios, even with €50–€100 per month.

What can go wrong: If you try to invest less than €1 or in an ineligible asset, the order will be rejected.

Step 5: Place a Fractional ETF Order on DEGIRO

What to do: Buy a fractional ETF share on DEGIRO (as of 2026, only available for select ETFs).

1. Log in to the DEGIRO web platform.
2. Search for a supported ETF (e.g., "Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF" – ISIN: IE00B3RBWM25).
3. Click "Buy."
4. In the quantity field, enter the fractional amount (e.g., 0.25 units). DEGIRO will show the estimated EUR cost (e.g., 0.25 × €110 = €27.50).
5. Review the order and place it.

Expected outcome: Your order will execute at the next market session, and your account will show 0.25 units of the ETF.

Why it matters: DEGIRO’s fractional feature is limited but useful for ETFs, which are the backbone of long-term portfolios for many European investors.

What can go wrong: Fractional orders may only execute at end-of-day prices. Check DEGIRO’s order execution policy to avoid surprises.

Step 6: Understand Fees and Order Restrictions

What to do: Review the costs and limits for fractional investing on each broker.

• Trade Republic: €1 flat fee per trade (free for savings plans). Minimum order: €1. Maximum: depends on asset liquidity.
• DEGIRO: Standard ETF trading fees apply (as low as €0 for core selection; €2 for others). Minimum fractional order: typically 0.01 units or €1 equivalent.
• Interactive Brokers: Lowest fees for active traders, but more complex interface. See our fee comparison for details.

Why it matters: Fees eat into returns, especially on small investments. Always check cost per order and consider using savings plans for cost efficiency.

What can go wrong: Small, frequent trades can add up in fees. Avoid overtrading fractional amounts.

Step 7: Build and Monitor a Diversified Portfolio with Fractional Shares

What to do: Use fractional shares to construct a balanced portfolio with precise allocations—even with small amounts.

1. Decide your target allocation (e.g., 60% global stocks, 30% European stocks, 10% bonds).
2. Use fractional investing to match your allocation exactly (e.g., €60 to MSCI World ETF, €30 to Euro Stoxx 50 ETF, €10 to a bond ETF).
3. Rebalance periodically by adjusting EUR amounts instead of whole units.

Expected outcome: Your portfolio reflects your chosen strategy without being limited by share prices.

Step 8: Compare DEGIRO, Trade Republic, and Interactive Brokers for Fractional Investing

What to do: Choose the right platform based on your asset needs, fee sensitivity, and user experience.

Feature	Trade Republic	DEGIRO	Interactive Brokers
Fractional Stocks	Yes (many US/EU)	No	Yes (broadest range)
Fractional ETFs	Yes	Yes (select ETFs)	Yes
Fees (per trade)	€1 (free for plans)	€0–€2	~€1 or less
Minimum Order	€1	0.01 units/€1	~€1
User Experience	Very easy	Moderate	Advanced

For a deep-dive on broker selection, see our low-cost broker comparison for European stock investors.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming all assets are eligible for fractional investing: Always check the asset list before funding or planning your allocation.
• Ignoring fees on small trades: Even €1 fees can significantly impact returns on €10–€20 orders.
• Not tracking fractional holdings: Some brokers round fractional units in reporting—track your real positions for accurate performance measurement.
• Confusing order execution times: Fractional orders on DEGIRO may not execute instantly; check order status after placing.

Next Steps

• Experiment with small EUR amounts to get comfortable with the process before scaling up.
• Consider automating your investments—see our guide to automating investments on Trade Republic and DEGIRO.
• Review your broker choice periodically. If you want the broadest asset coverage and lowest fees, explore Interactive Brokers (see our step-by-step guide to buying international stocks).
• Read our broker comparison pillar if you’re still deciding which platform suits your needs best.

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.