Before You Start
- Valid European Union (EU) residency and a EUR-based bank account
- Registered and verified account with Trade Republic or DEGIRO
- Basic understanding of ETF investing and the CSPX ETF
- Two-factor authentication enabled for security
- Enough EUR funds deposited in your broker account
Time needed: 15–30 minutes (excluding account verification and bank transfers)
What you'll need: Smartphone or computer, Trade Republic or DEGIRO app/website, access to your bank for transfers
The iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF (CSPX, ISIN: IE00B5BMR087) is one of the most popular ETFs among European investors looking for low-cost exposure to the US stock market. This guide shows you, step by step, how to buy the CSPX ETF on two of Europe’s leading brokers: Trade Republic and DEGIRO. You’ll learn how to search for CSPX by ISIN, select the right order type, avoid common mistakes, and understand the fees and timelines involved—all using EUR accounts.
Step 1: Understand What You’re Buying and Why
The CSPX ETF tracks the S&P 500 index, giving you diversified access to the 500 largest US companies. It’s domiciled in Ireland, making it tax-efficient for most EU investors. CSPX is traded in EUR on the Xetra exchange, which simplifies currency conversion and tax reporting.
- ISIN: IE00B5BMR087
- Ticker: CSPX
- Trading Currency: EUR (on Xetra)
Why this matters: Many brokers list multiple versions of the S&P 500 ETF. Always use the ISIN to avoid buying the wrong product or a USD-denominated version.
Pro Tip
Bookmark the official iShares CSPX factsheet for the latest data and official ISIN.
Step 2: Deposit EUR Funds Into Your Broker Account
You must have enough EUR in your broker account before placing an order. Both Trade Republic and DEGIRO require you to transfer money from your bank account, which can take 1–2 business days.
- Trade Republic: Tap “Account” → “Deposit” and follow the bank transfer instructions. Use your unique reference code to avoid delays.
- DEGIRO: Go to “Deposit/Withdraw Funds” → “Deposit Money”; transfer from your linked bank account using the provided details.
Expected outcome: Your available balance should update to show your transferred amount. You can only trade once funds have cleared.
What can go wrong? Incorrect reference code or sending money from an unlinked bank account may delay or block your deposit.
Pro Tip
Transfer a slightly higher amount than your planned investment to cover fees and price fluctuations.
Step 3: Search for CSPX by ISIN (IE00B5BMR087)
Using the ISIN is the most reliable way to find the CSPX ETF on your broker’s platform. This avoids confusion with similar ETFs or USD-denominated versions.
- Trade Republic: In the app, tap “Search” and enter IE00B5BMR087. Confirm you see “iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF (Acc)” and the Xetra exchange (EUR).
- DEGIRO: In the web platform or app, use the search bar and paste IE00B5BMR087. Confirm the fund name and that “XETRA” or “Euronext Amsterdam” is shown as the trading venue.
Expected outcome: You should see the CSPX ETF details, including price, charts, and trading options. Double-check the ISIN and exchange before proceeding.
What can go wrong? Accidentally selecting a distributing (not accumulating) S&P 500 ETF, or one in USD, can affect your returns and tax situation.
Step 4: Choose Your Order Type
There are several order types, each with pros and cons. The two most common are:
- Market order: Buys at the best available price. Fast but may be less predictable, especially in volatile markets.
- Limit order: Sets a maximum price you’re willing to pay per share. Trade only executes if the market price matches or is better.
- Trade Republic: After selecting CSPX, tap “Buy” and choose “Market order” (default) or “Limit order.” Enter the number of shares or EUR amount.
- DEGIRO: Click “Buy” on the CSPX ETF page. Enter order type (market/limit), quantity, and confirm the order details.
Why this matters: Using a limit order helps avoid overpaying during price spikes, especially during market open/close. Market orders are faster but risk buying at a higher price than expected.
Pro Tip
On Xetra, the main trading hours are 09:00–17:30 CET. Place orders during these times for best pricing and liquidity.
Step 5: Understand Minimums, Fees, and Settlement Timelines
Each broker sets minimum order sizes and charges fees. Check these before confirming your trade:
- Trade Republic: Minimum order is €1. Standard fee is €1 per trade (as of 2026). Settlement is usually T+2 (2 business days).
- DEGIRO: Minimum order is 1 share. Fees for Xetra-listed ETFs are typically €2–€3 per trade. Some ETFs are commission-free; check the official DEGIRO fee schedule. Settlement is T+2.
Why this matters: If you try to buy less than the minimum, your order will not be accepted. Insufficient funds to cover fees will also block the trade.
Pro Tip
If you plan regular purchases, consider using Trade Republic’s ETF savings plan feature. See our step-by-step guide: How to Start an ETF Savings Plan on Trade Republic: Step-by-Step for 2026.
Step 6: Confirm and Execute Your Order
Review your order carefully before final confirmation:
- Check the ISIN (IE00B5BMR087), order type, number of shares/EUR amount, and estimated total cost including fees.
- On Trade Republic, swipe to confirm. On DEGIRO, click “Place Order” and confirm with your PIN or 2FA.
Expected outcome: You should receive instant confirmation of your order. For market orders, the trade executes immediately during market hours; for limit orders, execution depends on the price being matched.
What can go wrong? Orders outside trading hours, insufficient funds, or incorrect order details will prevent execution. Always double-check before confirming.
Step 7: Check Your Portfolio and Settlement
Once your order is executed, the CSPX ETF position appears in your portfolio. Settlement (when you officially “own” the shares) typically occurs two business days after the trade (T+2).
- Trade Republic: Tap “Portfolio” to see your CSPX holding, average price, and current value in EUR.
- DEGIRO: Go to “Portfolio” and locate CSPX. You’ll see the number of shares, average cost, and real-time value.
Expected outcome: Your CSPX ETF position should be visible, with the amount invested and any unrealised gain/loss in EUR.
Pro Tip
Download your trade confirmation and keep it for your records. This is important for tax reporting and tracking your investments.
Common Mistakes When You Buy CSPX ETF Europe
- Buying the wrong ETF: Always double-check the ISIN (IE00B5BMR087) and exchange (Xetra/EUR).
- Using market orders in illiquid hours: This can lead to poor pricing. Prefer limit orders or trade during main Xetra hours (09:00–17:30 CET).
- Forgetting about fees: Factor in broker commissions and the spread when deciding how much to invest.
- Not having enough funds: Your order will be rejected if your account balance is too low to cover both the ETF price and fees.
- Not tracking settlement dates: Remember, you can only sell or transfer your shares after settlement (T+2).
- Ignoring minimum order size: Orders below broker minimums will fail.
- Confusing accumulating vs. distributing ETFs: CSPX is accumulating (dividends reinvested). If you want payouts, look for a distributing version (with a different ISIN).
Next Steps: Grow Your ETF Investing Skills
Now you know how to buy CSPX ETF in Europe using two of the continent’s most popular brokers. To get even more from your ETF investments, consider these next steps:
- Set up regular investments via savings plans—see our guide: How to Start an ETF Savings Plan on Trade Republic.
- Compare broker features and costs: Trade Republic vs. DEGIRO vs. Interactive Brokers.
- Learn about tax-efficient ETF investing in Europe: How to Build an ETF Portfolio for Tax Efficiency in Europe.
As always, review your portfolio regularly and stay informed about changes to fees, regulations, and ETF products. Happy 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.