Before You Start
- Be a resident of a European Economic Area (EEA) country with valid proof of address
- Have a verified account with Trade Republic and/or DEGIRO (identity check completed)
- Link your European bank account for EUR transfers
- Understand basic investing terms: ETF, stock, order type, market order
Time needed: 20–30 minutes for setup and first purchase
What you'll need: Smartphone or computer, internet access, ID/passport, bank account details, and €10–€100 (minimums vary by platform)
Fractional shares have revolutionized investing for Europeans. Now you can buy just €10 worth of Tesla or a fraction of a top ETF, making diversification and dollar-cost averaging easy—no matter your starting balance. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to buy fractional shares in Europe in 2026 using two of the continent’s most popular brokers: Trade Republic and DEGIRO. Every step is tested, with screenshots referenced (but not shown here). You’ll also see EUR-based examples, minimum order sizes, practical use cases, and crucial watchouts.
If you want a broader view of fees and broker choice, see our Ultimate 2026 Guide to European Broker Fees.
Why Buy Fractional Shares?
- Diversification: Build a portfolio of global stocks and ETFs, even with small amounts.
- Dollar-cost averaging: Invest the same amount regularly, buying fractions instead of waiting to afford a full share.
- Accessibility: Own expensive stocks (e.g., Amazon or LVMH) with as little as €1–€10.
Not all brokers offer fractional investing. For a comparison, see Fractional Shares in Europe: Which Brokers Offer the Best 2026 Experience?.
Step 1: Fund Your Broker Account
What to do: Transfer EUR from your bank to your Trade Republic or DEGIRO account.
- In Trade Republic: Tap Profile → Deposit money. Select your linked bank account, enter the amount (e.g., €50), and follow the instructions for SEPA transfer.
- In DEGIRO: Go to Menu → Deposit/Withdraw Funds on the web platform. Choose deposit, select your EUR account, and copy the unique reference for your transfer.
Why it matters: You can’t buy shares (fractional or otherwise) without available cash in your broker account. SEPA transfers usually arrive within 1–2 business days.
What can go wrong: If you forget the unique reference code (especially on DEGIRO), your deposit may be delayed or rejected. Always use the exact instructions provided by the broker.
Pro Tip
Start with a small deposit (e.g., €20–€50) to test the process before transferring larger sums.
Step 2: Choose What to Buy (Stock or ETF)
What to do: Decide which stock or ETF you want to buy fractionally. Popular European-accessible ETFs include:
- iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (IE00B4L5Y983)
- Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (IE00B3RBWM25)
For stocks, you might choose Apple (AAPL), LVMH (MC.PA), or Nvidia (NVDA).
Why it matters: Fractional investing is ideal for high-priced shares and for building diversified ETF portfolios with small amounts.
What can go wrong: Not every stock/ETF is available for fractional purchase. Trade Republic supports hundreds of stocks/ETFs for fractions; DEGIRO’s list is more limited (see below).
Pro Tip
Check the broker’s official list of supported fractional shares before funding your account: Trade Republic Help Center | DEGIRO Fractional Investing FAQ.
Step 3: Place a Fractional Share Order on Trade Republic
What to do:
- Open the Trade Republic app (iOS/Android) or web platform.
- Search for your desired stock or ETF (e.g., “iShares Core MSCI World”).
- Tap the asset, then tap Buy.
- Enter the amount in EUR you want to invest (minimum: €1 for stocks, €10 for ETFs as of 2026).
- Choose Market order (default for fractional trades).
- Confirm the order details, review estimated number of shares, and tap Buy.
Example: You enter €25 to buy the iShares Core MSCI World ETF (trading at €110/share). Your order will purchase approximately 0.227 shares.
Why it matters: Trade Republic makes fractional orders seamless—just enter the EUR amount. This is perfect for dollar-cost averaging (regular investments of, say, €50/month).
What can go wrong: If you try to invest below the minimum (e.g., €5 in an ETF), the order will be rejected. Double-check the minimums before submitting.
Pro Tip
Set up an automatic Savings Plan in Trade Republic for ETFs or stocks. Tap Portfolio → Savings Plan → Select ETF or stock, then set the amount and frequency (e.g., €50/month). This automates fractional investing and helps you stick to your plan.
Expected outcome: You should now see your first ETF or stock purchase confirmed in your portfolio, displaying the fractional quantity (e.g., “0.227 shares | €25.00 invested”).
Step 4: Place a Fractional Share Order on DEGIRO
What to do:
- Log into the DEGIRO web platform (fractional orders are not available in the mobile app as of 2026).
- Search for a supported stock or ETF (see DEGIRO’s official list).
- Select the asset and click Buy.
- Choose “Amount in EUR” as your order type (not “Number of shares”).
- Enter your investment amount (minimum: €10 for most assets, but check for specific limits).
- Set the order as a market order (required for fractional trades).
- Review the summary and click Place Order.
Example: You enter €20 for a partial share of Apple (trading at €180/share). Your order will buy approximately 0.111 shares of AAPL.
Why it matters: Using the EUR amount makes it simple to invest exactly what you want, even in high-priced shares.
What can go wrong: Not all assets are eligible for fractional orders. If you try to buy an unsupported stock or ETF fractionally, DEGIRO will reject the order. Always double-check eligibility.
Pro Tip
DEGIRO charges a small commission for most trades. For the lowest fees, consider their core selection—a list of ETFs with free monthly trades (full shares only, not fractions). For more on minimizing costs, see our Ultimate Guide to European Broker Fees.
Expected outcome: You should now see your fractional order in your DEGIRO portfolio, with the number of shares (e.g., “0.111 shares | €20.00 invested”) and trade confirmation.
Step 5: Monitor Your Portfolio and Understand Fees
What to do: After each fractional purchase, check your broker’s portfolio or holdings section. Review:
- The number of shares (can be decimals, e.g., 0.227 or 0.111)
- Current value in EUR
- Any transaction fees or commissions
Why it matters: Fractional shares earn dividends and grow in value just like whole shares, but some brokers (especially with US stocks) may not pay out fractional dividends, or may round them down. Always check your broker’s policy.
What can go wrong: Fees for buying/selling small amounts can eat into returns. Trade Republic charges €1 per trade; DEGIRO’s fee structure varies by market (see their official fees page).
Pro Tip
For frequent small investments, use a broker with low or flat fees for fractions. See our Best Low-Cost Brokers for Buying US Stocks from Europe (2026 Comparison) for a breakdown.
Common Mistakes When Buying Fractional Shares
- Ignoring minimum order sizes. Orders below €1 (Trade Republic) or €10 (DEGIRO) will fail.
- Assuming all stocks/ETFs are available fractionally. Always check the eligible asset list.
- Forgetting about fees. Small trades can be disproportionately impacted by commissions.
- Not accounting for liquidity. Fractional shares are easy to buy, but selling large amounts of illiquid stocks or ETFs may take longer or execute at less favorable prices.
- Overlooking tax implications. Even fractional shares generate taxable events. For tax-efficient strategies, see our guide on choosing tax-efficient European brokers for ETFs.
Next Steps
- Set up a monthly savings plan for regular, automated fractional investing—especially useful for ETFs.
- Compare costs and features with other brokers. Our Trade Republic vs. DEGIRO vs. Interactive Brokers comparison can help you decide if these platforms suit your needs.
- Monitor your portfolio performance and rebalance as needed to stay diversified.
- Review your broker’s documentation for changes in supported fractional assets, fees, or features each year.
Fractional shares make investing accessible for everyone in Europe. With platforms like Trade Republic and DEGIRO, you can start building a diversified portfolio today—even if you’re just starting out.
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.