How to Open a EUR Brokerage Account for a Teenager in Europe (2026 Guide)

Opening a EUR broker account for a teenager in Europe is a practical way to teach financial literacy and encourage early investing habits. However, it’s not as simple as opening an adult account—there are legal, practical, and tax considerations. This guide walks parents and guardians step-by-step through the process, using real examples and platforms available in Europe, such as DEGIRO and Trade Republic.

Step 1: Understand Legal Requirements for Minor Accounts

Before you start, clarify your country’s rules around minors and investing. In most EEA countries, teenagers under 18 cannot open a brokerage account independently. Instead, accounts are opened as “junior accounts” or “custodial accounts,” with the parent or guardian as the legal representative.

• Why it matters: Brokers will reject applications that don’t meet legal requirements, wasting your time and possibly affecting your credit file.
• What can go wrong: Attempting to circumvent age or residency requirements may result in account closure and funds being frozen.

In Germany, for example, minors aged 14–17 can have a “Junior Depot” (youth securities account) with parental supervision. In France or Spain, similar custodial accounts exist, but rules may vary. Always check your country’s regulations before choosing a broker.

Step 2: Choose a Broker That Supports Teen (Junior) Accounts

Not every EUR broker account in Europe supports minors. Two of the most accessible and reputable brokers for supervised minor accounts are:

• DEGIRO (Germany, Netherlands, and select EEA countries): Offers “Junior Depot” accounts for minors, with strong parental controls.
• Trade Republic (Germany and Austria): Launched “Junior” accounts in late 2025 for ages 14+, with parent/guardian oversight.

Other brokers (e.g., Scalable Capital, Flatex) may offer similar products in select countries. Always confirm availability and terms for your residency.

• Why it matters: Choosing a broker with a robust junior account offering ensures clear legal compliance, better controls, and support.
• What can go wrong: Using platforms that don’t officially support minors can lead to account bans or frozen assets.

How to Compare Brokers for Minors

• Check minimum age and residency requirements
• Review available investment products (ETFs, stocks, etc.)
• Evaluate parental controls and limitations
• Assess fees (see The Impact of Fees on Your European Broker Account: Real-Life EUR Scenarios for EUR-based examples)

Step 3: Gather Required Documentation

For both DEGIRO and Trade Republic, you’ll need to provide identification and proof of address for both the parent/guardian and the teenager.

• Valid government-issued ID (passport or national ID card) for both
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or government letter, typically less than 3 months old)
• Teen’s birth certificate or proof of relationship (sometimes required)
• EUR bank account IBAN for funding the brokerage account

• Why it matters: Incomplete documentation is the #1 reason for application delays or rejections.
• What can go wrong: Scanned documents must be clear; blurry or cropped images may be rejected. Names and addresses must match exactly.

Step 4: Register and Complete the Online Application

Let’s walk through the registration process for both DEGIRO and Trade Republic, as of early 2026.

DEGIRO Junior Depot (Germany Example)

1. Visit DEGIRO’s official site and select “Open Account.”
2. Choose “Junior Depot” or “Account for Minor.”
3. Enter the teen’s full details and the parent/guardian’s information as legal representative.
4. Upload required documents for both parties.
5. Complete the identity verification via video call or document upload (varies by country).
6. Link a EUR bank account (must be in the parent/guardian’s or teen’s name).
7. Wait for account approval (typically 1–3 business days).

Trade Republic Junior Account (Germany/Austria Example)

1. Download the Trade Republic app on your smartphone.
2. Tap “Sign Up” and select “Junior Account.”
3. Fill in the teen’s and parent/guardian’s details, including email and mobile numbers.
4. Upload identity documents and proof of address for both parties.
5. Complete the video identification process for both (usually via IDNow or similar).
6. Connect your EUR IBAN for funding.
7. Wait for confirmation (typically 1–2 business days).

Expected outcome: You should receive an email or in-app notification confirming the account is active and ready for funding. The dashboard will show the teen’s name with the parent/guardian as account supervisor.

Step 5: Set Up Parental Controls and Product Limitations

Brokers typically limit what teenagers can invest in. Here’s how these controls work on leading platforms:

• DEGIRO: Junior Depots allow only low- to medium-risk products (e.g., ETFs, blue-chip stocks). No leveraged products, crypto, or derivatives. Parents must approve all trades.
• Trade Republic: Junior accounts restrict access to ETFs and selected stocks. All buy/sell orders require parental confirmation within the app.

• Why it matters: These restrictions protect minors from high-risk products and accidental losses.
• What can go wrong: Attempting to trade restricted products may result in order rejection or account review.

Example: Setting Up an ETF Savings Plan in Trade Republic

1. Open the Trade Republic app and log in as the parent/guardian.
2. Tap Portfolio → Savings Plan → Select ETF.
3. Search for an eligible ETF, such as “iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (IE00B4L5Y983)”.
4. Enter the monthly amount (e.g., €50).
5. Confirm with your parental PIN or biometric verification.

Expected outcome: The Savings Plan will show as “Active,” with the next scheduled investment date. You will receive a notification for each executed purchase, and the ETF position will appear in the portfolio overview.

Step 6: Fund the Account with EUR

You’ll need to transfer EUR to the new brokerage account. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your EUR bank account (online or via app).
2. Initiate a SEPA transfer to the broker’s provided IBAN and reference number (unique to the teen’s account).
3. Minimum initial deposits vary: DEGIRO (€0, but €1–€10 recommended for activation); Trade Republic (€10 minimum for first trade or savings plan).
4. Funds usually arrive within 1–2 business days.

• Why it matters: Only EUR funding is allowed; transfers from non-EEA banks or in other currencies may be rejected.
• What can go wrong: Incorrect reference numbers or wrong sender names can delay or block deposits.

Expected outcome: The app or web dashboard will show the available EUR balance, ready for investment.

Step 7: Monitor, Educate, and Understand Tax Responsibilities

Once funded, the teen (and parent) can start investing. Ongoing responsibilities include:

• Monitoring portfolio performance and investment choices together
• Reviewing all trade confirmations and monthly statements
• Explaining fees, risks, and the long-term nature of investing (see How to Automate Regular Investing in Europe: DCA with EUR in 2026 for practical EUR examples)

Tax Responsibilities

• Interest, dividends, and capital gains are usually taxable—even for minors.
• Most EEA countries offer a small tax-free allowance for children’s investment income (e.g., Germany: €1,200/year in 2026; France: €1,000/year; Spain: €1,600/year—always check current thresholds).
• Parents/guardians are responsible for reporting any taxable income on behalf of the minor.

• Why it matters: Failure to report investment income may result in fines or audits.
• What can go wrong: Overlooking tax reporting, especially for dividend-paying ETFs or stocks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a broker that doesn’t officially support minor accounts
• Submitting incomplete or mismatched documentation
• Trying to invest in restricted products (crypto, derivatives, etc.)
• Using non-EUR or non-EEA bank accounts for funding
• Forgetting to report investment income for the minor
• Setting up savings plans with amounts that are too high for the teen’s risk tolerance

Next Steps

• Review your country’s current tax-free allowances for children’s investment income
• Set up a regular check-in to discuss portfolio progress and financial lessons
• Consider other EUR-based passive income strategies as the teen matures—see The Best European Passive Income Ideas for 2026 (Beyond ETFs and Dividends)
• If you want a more conservative start, compare junior savings accounts alongside brokerage options

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.