Before You Start
- At least one legal guardian must be present for account setup
- Both child and guardian(s) must have valid EU/EEA identification
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement) for guardian(s) and sometimes for the child
- Access to a EUR-denominated bank account
- Familiarity with basic KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) processes
- Understanding of country-specific rules for minor accounts (see below for details)
Time needed: 1–2 hours for online brokers, up to 1 week for conventional banks
What you'll need: ID, proof of address, child’s birth certificate, access to your online banking or broker platform
Setting up a child investment account in Europe is one of the most practical ways to kickstart your child’s financial future. With the right account, you can invest in EUR-denominated ETFs, stocks, or funds under your child’s name, taking advantage of tax benefits and long compounding timelines. This step-by-step guide covers what you need to know for major European markets, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Austria. We’ll use real platforms like DEGIRO and Trade Republic, and outline key legal and tax points for EUR-based investing. For broader EUR investment strategies, see our European Investing Encyclopedia.
Step 1: Confirm Legal Guardianship and Eligibility
What to do: Check your country’s rules for who can open an investment account for a minor. Typically, at least one legal guardian must initiate the process, but some countries (e.g., France and Spain) may require both parents’ consent or documentation in joint custody cases.
- Germany: Both parents must usually sign unless sole custody is documented.
- France: Joint parental authority is assumed; both parents’ IDs may be required.
- Netherlands: One parent can open the account, but both may be needed for withdrawals or management.
- Spain: Both legal guardians must authorize, unless only one has legal custody.
- Austria: One parent can open, but both may be contacted for certain transactions.
Why it matters: If you skip this step or provide incomplete documentation, the broker or bank will reject your application. Inconsistent details between your documents and those of your child can cause delays.
What can go wrong: Not having custody papers, missing one guardian’s signature, or providing expired ID will halt the process.
Step 2: Choose the Right Broker or Bank
What to do: Decide between a traditional bank (e.g., Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, ING) or a modern online broker (e.g., DEGIRO, Trade Republic) that offers junior/custody accounts in EUR. Not all brokers support child accounts—here’s what’s available in 2026:
- DEGIRO: Offers “Minor Account” in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, Spain. See official FAQ.
- Trade Republic: As of 2026, junior accounts are available in Germany and Austria only. See official help.
- Conventional Banks: Most major banks in Europe offer “Depot für Minderjährige” (Germany), “PEA Jeune” (France), “Jongerenrekening” (Netherlands), or “Cuenta de valores para menores” (Spain). These accounts are EUR-denominated and usually require in-person setup.
Why it matters: Fees, available ETFs, minimum investment, and account control vary by provider. Online brokers are faster and cheaper, but traditional banks may offer more personalized tax reporting and local support.
What can go wrong: Choosing a broker that doesn’t support junior accounts in your country will waste time. Missing local language documents can slow approval.
Pro Tip
For recurring investments (e.g., €50/month into an ETF), choose a broker with automated savings plans. Both DEGIRO and Trade Republic allow this for junior accounts in supported countries.
Step 3: Gather All Required Documents
What to do: Prepare high-quality scans or photos of the following (requirements are similar across Europe):
- Child’s birth certificate (official translation if not in local language)
- Child’s passport or national ID card
- Legal guardian(s)’ passport or national ID card
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, not older than 3 months)
- Custody documentation (if applicable)
Why it matters: The KYC/AML process is strict for minors to prevent money laundering and fraud. Missing or blurry documents will delay your application.
What can go wrong: Uploading expired IDs, cropped images, or documents with mismatched addresses will trigger rejection or requests for resubmission.
Pro Tip
Save all documents in PDF format and check that names and dates match exactly across all files before uploading.
Step 4: Complete the Online or In-Person Application
What to do: Start the application process with your chosen provider:
- DEGIRO: Go to DEGIRO → Register → Select “Minor Account” → Fill in guardian and child details → Upload documents → Confirm via email.
- Trade Republic: Open the app → Profile → Settings → “Create Junior Account” → Enter child and guardian details → Upload required files → Wait for video or photo verification.
- Conventional Banks: Book an appointment at your local branch → Bring all documents (see Step 3) → Fill out “Minderjährigen-Depot” (Germany), “PEA Jeune” (France), etc. → Sign all required forms.
Why it matters: Some brokers require both guardians to be present (physically or virtually) for identity verification. Double-check local language requirements—some banks require documents in the national language, or official translations.
What can go wrong: Failing to complete video verification, using unsupported browsers, or missing a required field can result in application rejection.
Expected outcome: You should receive an email or app notification confirming your application is under review. Approval times: 10–30 minutes for online brokers, up to 5 business days for banks.
Step 5: Fund the Account and Set Up Investments
What to do: Once your child’s account is approved, transfer EUR funds from your linked bank account. Then, set up investments:
- In DEGIRO: Go to “Deposit/Withdraw” → Transfer €100 (as an example) → Navigate to “Products” → Search for “Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (EUR)” (ISIN: IE00BK5BQT80) → Click “Buy” → Enter amount (e.g., €50) → Confirm order.
- In Trade Republic: Tap “Portfolio” → “Savings Plan” → Select ETF (e.g., iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF EUR, ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983) → Enter monthly amount (e.g., €25) → Confirm and activate plan.
- In Banks: Use online banking or visit the branch to place an order for a EUR-denominated ETF or mutual fund. Minimums vary—typically €25–€100.
Why it matters: Choose accumulating (not distributing) ETFs to avoid unnecessary tax filings for your child. Fractional shares let you invest small amounts monthly, maximizing compounding.
What can go wrong: Picking funds not available in EUR, or those with high fees, can reduce returns. Forgetting to activate a savings plan means missed compounding opportunities.
Expected outcome: You should see your first ETF purchase confirmed with a value (e.g., €49.80 after fees for a €50 order). The ETF appears in your child’s portfolio dashboard.
Pro Tip
Use fractional shares on platforms like DEGIRO and Trade Republic to automate investing even if each ETF share costs more than your monthly contribution. See our guide on using fractional shares in EUR for step-by-step instructions.
Step 6: Understand Tax and Reporting Rules
What to do: Familiarize yourself with your country’s tax rules for minors’ investment accounts. Key points:
- Gifts: Annual tax-free gift allowances apply (e.g., €8,000/year in Germany, €31,865/15 years in France from parents to child). Exceeding these triggers reporting and possible gift tax.
- Investment Income: In most countries, children have a personal tax-free allowance for capital gains and dividends (e.g., €1,200/year in Germany, €10,777 in France for global income). Above this, a tax return may be required in the child’s name.
- Inheritance: Inherited assets must be reported, with special allowances for minors.
Why it matters: Misreporting gifts or investment income can trigger audits or penalties. Each country’s limits and filing requirements differ—always check with a local tax advisor if in doubt.
What can go wrong: Forgetting to declare large gifts, or reinvesting dividends in distributing ETFs without reporting, could create tax issues for your child later.
Pro Tip
Keep a spreadsheet or use a fintech app to track all contributions and income. See our list of the best EUR fintech tracking apps.
Common Mistakes
- Attempting to open an account on a platform that doesn’t support junior accounts in your country
- Uploading incomplete or mismatched documents (e.g., different addresses for child and guardian)
- Forgetting to activate recurring investments—missing out on compounding
- Choosing distributing ETFs and not tracking/reporting dividends for tax
- Ignoring local gift/inheritance tax thresholds and failing to report large transfers
Next Steps
- Review your investment choices annually and adjust as your child gets older or as laws change
- Teach your child about their investments as they approach legal adulthood—many platforms require account transfer at age 18
- For deep dives into fund selection, custody and tax, see our dedicated portfolio guide for children in Europe
- Expand your knowledge with our European Investing Encyclopedia
- Compare different investment strategies, such as sustainable investing, with our ESG fund guide
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.