Before You Start
- A registered and verified Trade Republic account
- European residency (Trade Republic is currently available in most EU countries)
- Basic understanding of ETFs and risk tolerance
- Access to the Trade Republic mobile app or web platform
- Linked SEPA bank account with sufficient EUR funds
Time needed: 30–45 minutes for initial setup, then 5 minutes monthly for monitoring
What you'll need: Smartphone or computer, Trade Republic account, list of preferred ETFs
Looking for a practical way to build a globally diversified ETF portfolio on autopilot? This Trade Republic auto invest guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up and managing an automated, diversified investment plan using Trade Republic’s powerful savings plan feature. You’ll learn how to choose allocations, adjust your settings, and monitor your progress — all in EUR and tailored for European investors.
This guide is especially useful if you want a “set-and-forget” approach, but still want to understand the mechanics and make smart choices for 2026 and beyond.
Step 1: Decide on Your Global Diversification Strategy
What to do: Before touching the Trade Republic app, clarify what “global diversification” means for you. This usually involves investing in ETFs that track different regions (e.g., World, Europe, US, Emerging Markets) and asset classes (e.g., equities, bonds).
- Example allocation:
- 60% in a global equity ETF (e.g., MSCI World)
- 20% in an emerging markets ETF (e.g., MSCI Emerging Markets)
- 20% in a European government bond ETF
Why it matters: Global diversification reduces the risk of your portfolio being too dependent on any single country or region. It also helps smooth returns over time.
What can go wrong: Picking too many overlapping ETFs can lead to hidden concentration. Not considering your risk tolerance can make you panic during downturns.
Pro Tip
Use free tools like JustETF’s ETF Portfolio Builder to experiment with allocations before committing real money.
Step 2: Select Suitable ETFs Available on Trade Republic
What to do: In Trade Republic, tap Search and enter the name or ISIN of your chosen ETFs. Some popular EUR-denominated, globally diversified ETFs available on Trade Republic in 2026 include:
- iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (Acc) — ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983
- Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF — ISIN: IE00BTJRMP35
- iShares Core € Govt Bond UCITS ETF — ISIN: IE00B4WXJJ64
Verify the ETFs’ TER (Total Expense Ratio), distributing/accumulating policy, and domicile (ensure UCITS compliance for European investors).
Why it matters: Not all ETFs are available on every broker. Double-check that your selections are actually offered on Trade Republic and suit your needs.
What can go wrong: Choosing non-UCITS, high-fee, or non-EUR-hedged ETFs can introduce extra risk and costs for European investors.
Pro Tip
Trade Republic regularly expands its ETF universe. Use the in-app filter for “Sparplanfähig” (eligible for savings plans) to find ETFs compatible with auto-invest.
Step 3: Set Up Your Auto-Invest (Savings Plan) in Trade Republic
What to do:
- Open the Trade Republic app or web platform.
- Tap Portfolio → Savings Plan → Create Plan.
- Search for your chosen ETF by name or ISIN and select it.
- Enter your monthly investment amount (min. €1, in increments of €1).
- Set the execution date (e.g., the 1st or 15th of each month).
- Confirm and review your plan.
Why it matters: Automating investments removes emotion, ensures consistency, and takes advantage of euro-cost averaging — buying more shares when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.
What can go wrong: Insufficient funds in your bank account will cause the savings plan to fail. Double-check your linked SEPA account before each scheduled purchase.
Expected outcome: You should now see your first ETF savings plan scheduled in your Trade Republic dashboard, with the next execution date and amount (e.g., €100/month for iShares MSCI World).
Pro Tip
You can set up multiple savings plans for different ETFs. For example, €60/month to MSCI World, €20/month to MSCI Emerging Markets, and €20/month to a EUR bond ETF to match your allocation plan.
Step 4: Adjust and Rebalance Your Savings Plan Allocations
What to do: Over time, asset prices move and allocations drift. To maintain your target diversification:
- Go to Portfolio → Savings Plan in the app.
- Tap any active plan to Edit the monthly amount or execution date.
- To add a new ETF or remove an existing one, use Create Plan or Delete Plan as needed.
- Consider rebalancing once or twice per year by adjusting new contributions or making one-time trades to restore your target percentages.
Why it matters: Regular rebalancing keeps your risk profile consistent. For example, if equities outperform bonds, your equity share may become too large.
What can go wrong: Over-frequent changes can rack up unnecessary transaction costs. Trade Republic’s savings plans are free, but manual trades may incur fees.
Expected outcome: Your monthly contributions should now reflect your preferred allocation — for example, €150/month split 60/20/20 across three ETFs.
Pro Tip
Set a calendar reminder every 6 or 12 months to review your allocations and rebalance if needed. Don’t let your portfolio drift!
Step 5: Monitor Portfolio Performance and Make Adjustments for 2026
What to do:
- In Trade Republic, tap Portfolio to view your total balance and individual ETF performance (in EUR).
- Review the “Savings Plan” section for upcoming executions and historical purchases.
- Export account statements for tax or record-keeping via Documents → Statements.
- Periodically check ETF factsheets for index changes, TER updates, or mergers.
Why it matters: Automation can make you complacent. Regular monitoring helps you spot errors, adjust to personal changes (e.g., income, risk tolerance), and keep up with ETF developments.
What can go wrong: Ignoring your portfolio may cause you to miss important news (like ETF closures or changes in tax treatment) or drift too far from your original plan.
Expected outcome: You should see your investments grow (and fluctuate) over time, with performance displayed in EUR and an easy-to-audit transaction history.
Pro Tip
Track your full portfolio — including accounts outside Trade Republic — using free tools like Portfolio Performance or JustETF’s portfolio tracker.
Pros and Cons of Trade Republic Auto-Invest for Global Diversification
- Pros:
- Zero commission on ETF savings plans (as of 2026)
- Automated euro-cost averaging — hands-off investing
- Access to hundreds of UCITS ETFs for global exposure
- Easy setup and adjustment via app or web
- Low minimum investment (€1 per ETF/month)
- Cons:
- Manual intervention needed for rebalancing
- Limited to ETFs available on Trade Republic
- No automatic tax optimization (e.g., tax-loss harvesting)
- Not suitable for complex asset classes (e.g., real estate, commodities outside ETFs)
For a broader comparison of ETF automation options in Europe, see How to Automate Monthly ETF Investing in Europe Using Savings Plans (2026 Edition).
Common Mistakes
- Setting up savings plans for overlapping ETFs (e.g., MSCI World + S&P 500 + MSCI ACWI) — leads to overconcentration in US stocks
- Forgetting to check SEPA account balance — missed contributions disrupt compounding
- Neglecting to rebalance — portfolio drifts away from target risk level
- Ignoring ETF changes — e.g., index switch, closure, or increased TER
- Setting unrealistic monthly amounts — leading to failed executions or forced plan pauses
Next Steps
- Review your allocation and risk tolerance at least annually
- Explore adding other asset types (e.g., sustainable ETFs, sector ETFs) as your knowledge grows
- Consider tax implications in your country (e.g., German Abgeltungssteuer, French PFU)
- Stay informed about Trade Republic platform updates and new ETF offerings via their official help center
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.