Before You Start
- Both your DEGIRO and Trade Republic accounts must be fully verified and active.
- Your personal information (name, address, tax ID) must match exactly on both accounts.
- Know which assets (ETFs, stocks, cash) you want to transfer—some may not be eligible.
- Check if your ETFs/stocks are UCITS-compliant and available on Trade Republic.
- Have your tax residency and local tax number (e.g., TIN for Germany, NIF for Spain) ready.
- Be aware of ongoing dividends, open orders, or margin positions—they can delay transfers.
Time needed: 1–3 weeks (typical, but can vary)
What you'll need: Internet access, DEGIRO and Trade Republic apps, PDF reader, bank access, ID documents
Switching brokers in Europe has become easier, but the process still requires careful planning—especially when moving from DEGIRO to Trade Republic. Whether you’re seeking lower fees, better app experience, or more EUR-denominated products, a smooth transfer can save you both time and money. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to switch brokers Europe 2026—with a focus on DEGIRO to Trade Republic, but with principles that help with other EU broker pairings as well.
As we covered in our complete guide to the best money management apps for Europeans in 2026, broker choice impacts everything from fees to ease of use and tax reporting. Here, we go deep on the practical side of the transfer process.
Step 1: Review Your Portfolio and Broker Compatibility
What to do: Log in to your DEGIRO account and export your full portfolio statement (usually found under Account → Statements → Portfolio Overview). Make a list of all assets—ISINs, quantities, and types (e.g., ETFs, individual stocks, cash balances).
- Check if each asset is available on Trade Republic. Use their ISIN list or search in the Trade Republic app (Portfolio → Search → Enter ISIN).
- Flag any assets that are not supported (e.g., some US stocks, niche ETFs, bonds).
Why it matters: Trade Republic only supports a limited universe of securities (mainly EUR/GBP/CHF stocks, UCITS ETFs, some US blue chips). Unsupported assets must be sold before transfer, or they’ll be left behind.
What can go wrong: If you don’t check compatibility, you risk failed transfers, delays, or forced sell-outs (possibly at a bad price).
Pro Tip
For ETFs, check if you hold accumulating or distributing share classes—Trade Republic often offers both, but not always the exact ISIN you may have at DEGIRO.
Step 2: Decide Between Asset Transfer and Cash Transfer
What to do: Choose whether to transfer your assets “in kind” (i.e., move the actual shares/ETFs) or to sell everything at DEGIRO, transfer the cash, and repurchase at Trade Republic.
- Asset transfer (in kind): No sale, so no capital gains tax event, but fees apply and not all assets are eligible.
- Cash transfer: You sell, realize gains/losses, transfer EUR, then rebuy. Simpler and faster, but may trigger tax and risk market movement.
Why it matters: The decision impacts costs, taxes, and time out of the market. In-kind is best for large, simple portfolios and tax efficiency. Cash is often better for complex or unsupported portfolios.
What can go wrong: If you choose in-kind transfer for assets not supported by Trade Republic, they’ll be rejected, causing delays and extra charges.
Pro Tip
For most European investors with €10,000–€50,000 in broad-market UCITS ETFs (e.g., iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF EUR Acc, ISIN IE00B4L5Y983), in-kind transfer is usually possible and tax-efficient.
Step 3: Gather Required Documentation
What to do:
- Download recent account statements from DEGIRO (last 3 months).
- Prepare a copy of your ID (passport or national ID card).
- Have your Trade Republic IBAN and account number handy (found under Profile → Account Details in the app).
- Locate your tax identification number and country of tax residence.
Why it matters: Both brokers need to verify your identity and tax status for compliance, and to ensure assets are transferred to the correct account.
What can go wrong: Mismatched names or missing documents are the #1 cause of rejected transfers.
Step 4: Initiate the Transfer Request at Receiving Broker (Trade Republic)
What to do:
- Open the Trade Republic app.
- Go to Profile → Service → Securities Transfer.
- Select “Transfer securities from another bank.”
- Enter DEGIRO’s full name and BIC (DEGIRO’s BIC is FLTRNL2A for most EU clients; confirm in your DEGIRO account).
- Fill in your DEGIRO account number, and upload requested documents (statements, ID).
- List the ISINs and quantities you want to transfer.
- Indicate if you want a partial or full portfolio transfer.
- Download, print, and sign the generated transfer form. Some countries allow digital signing, others require a physical signature and scan.
- Email or upload the signed form as instructed in the app.
Why it matters: The transfer must be initiated by the receiving broker (Trade Republic), not DEGIRO. This is a regulatory requirement in the EU to prevent unauthorized asset movement.
What can go wrong: Mistyping your DEGIRO details or failing to sign the form correctly will lead to rejection or long delays.
Pro Tip
If you’re transferring multiple securities, double-check ISINs and quantities—errors here can result in partial transfers or unexpected fees.
Step 5: Notify DEGIRO and Confirm Instructions
What to do:
- Contact DEGIRO support via their in-app messaging (Help → Contact → Transfers).
- Let them know you’ve submitted a transfer request to Trade Republic and attach the signed form if requested.
- Ask for confirmation of receipt and estimated processing time.
Why it matters: While DEGIRO processes transfers automatically once they receive the instruction from Trade Republic, a heads-up can prevent “lost” requests and speed up the process.
What can go wrong: If you don’t notify DEGIRO, they may delay or miss your transfer request, especially during busy periods (e.g., end of tax year).
Step 6: Track the Transfer Progress and Handle Fees
What to do:
- Monitor both your DEGIRO and Trade Republic accounts daily. Look for status updates or messages.
- DEGIRO will typically charge €10–€25 per ISIN transferred (as of 2026—check the latest DEGIRO fee schedule).
- Trade Republic does not charge incoming transfer fees, but always confirm via their official support.
- Once assets appear in Trade Republic (usually within 7–15 business days), check balances and cost bases.
Why it matters: Prompt action can resolve issues if assets or cash “disappear” during the process. Also, you need to know the exact fees to avoid surprises.
What can go wrong: Transfer fees can eat into small positions, or assets may arrive with wrong cost basis (important for tax reporting). Always keep all receipts and confirmations.
Pro Tip
Transfer fees are charged by DEGIRO per ISIN, not per position—so consolidating similar ETFs before transfer can save money.
Step 7: Update Your Tax Records and Savings Automation
What to do:
- Download incoming transfer confirmations from Trade Republic (Documents → Transfers).
- Update your personal investment tracker or spreadsheet with new broker details, cost bases, and any realized gains/losses (if you sold assets).
- If you had ongoing savings plans at DEGIRO, set up new ones in Trade Republic (Portfolio → Savings Plan → Select ETF).
- Keep all transfer documents for your next tax return—especially if you realized gains/losses or received dividends during the transfer.
Why it matters: Tax authorities may ask for proof about asset origins, cost basis, and transfer dates—especially in Germany, France, Netherlands. Proper records avoid headaches.
What can go wrong: Missing documents can make tax reporting difficult, or you might accidentally double-invest if savings plans aren’t updated.
For more on automating your savings and investments, see our guide: How to Automate Saving and Investing in EUR With Revolut and Trade Republic.
Step 8: Double-Check Everything and Close Old Accounts (Optional)
What to do:
- Compare your old and new portfolios—ISINs, quantities, cost bases.
- Ensure all dividends, cash balances, and pending transactions are settled at DEGIRO before closing.
- If you wish, request DEGIRO to close your account (via Account → Close Account), but only after confirming everything is received and reconciled at Trade Republic.
Why it matters: Sometimes small cash amounts or dividends arrive after the main transfer. Closing too soon can forfeit these funds.
What can go wrong: If you rush, you may lose access to important tax documents or residual balances.
Pro Tip
Keep your DEGIRO account open (but inactive) for at least one full tax year post-transfer. This ensures access to all year-end statements and dividend records.
Common Mistakes When Switching Brokers in Europe
- Failing to match personal details (name, address, tax ID) exactly between brokers—this is the #1 reason for delays or rejections.
- Overlooking transfer fees—especially with many small ETF positions. Consolidate where possible before transfer.
- Transferring unsupported assets—always check Trade Republic’s ISIN list before initiating.
- Forgetting to update savings plans—can result in missed investments or double contributions.
- Not saving tax documents—can cause tax headaches in the next filing season.
- Closing the old account too soon—wait for all dividends and cash to clear.
Next Steps
You should now see your assets safely in Trade Republic, with your cost bases and positions intact. If you’ve just completed your first switch, consider reviewing your new broker’s fee structure—see our latest breakdown of Trade Republic’s 2026 fee structure—and set up automated savings or new ETF positions as needed.
If you’re managing a broader financial plan, or want to compare other brokers and money management tools, explore our in-depth comparison of the best money management apps for Europeans in 2026.
For more on buying and managing ETFs, see our step-by-step on how to buy a UCITS ETF in 2026 using Trade Republic or DEGIRO.
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.