How to Use Trade Republic’s Auto-Invest Feature to Build Wealth in EUR (2026 Tutorial)

The Trade Republic auto-invest feature lets you automate regular investments in ETFs and stocks—directly in euros—making it one of the most efficient and accessible wealth-building tools for European investors in 2026. This tutorial will walk you through every step, from selecting assets to optimising your plan, plus how Trade Republic compares to DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers. All instructions are tested and actionable—no guesswork required.

Step 1: Understand How Trade Republic Auto-Invest Works

The auto-invest feature (also called “Savings Plan” or “Sparplan”) allows you to schedule recurring purchases of ETFs or stocks from €1 per execution. Here’s why that matters:

• Consistency: Automating removes emotional decision-making and builds discipline.
• Cost averaging: By investing fixed amounts regularly, you buy more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high—potentially reducing your average cost per unit over time.
• Time-saving: Once set up, no manual orders needed.

Trade Republic’s auto-invest supports:

• Over 2,000 ETFs (including iShares, Xtrackers, Amundi, Lyxor, etc.)
• Hundreds of blue-chip European and US stocks
• EUR-denominated purchases, with no FX fees for EUR assets
• Monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly schedule options
• Minimum investment: €1 per asset per execution (as of 2026)

What can go wrong? You must have sufficient EUR balance on execution days, or your plan will fail. Some assets may not be eligible for auto-invest (check “Savings Plan” eligibility in the app).

Step 2: Choose the Right Assets (ETF/Stock Selection)

Asset selection is fundamental. Here’s how to do it in Trade Republic:

1. Open the app and tap Discover at the bottom.
2. Select ETFs or Stocks from the menu.
3. Use filters: “Savings Plan eligible” to see only assets available for auto-invest.
4. Tap an asset for details—review factsheets, performance, costs, and distribution policy (accumulating or distributing).

For EUR-based investors, consider:

• EUR-denominated ETFs (e.g., iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF EUR Acc, ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983)
• Low total expense ratio (TER)—ideally under 0.25% for core equity ETFs
• Diversification: World, Europe, or sector ETFs for broad exposure

What can go wrong? Not all ETFs or stocks are eligible. Always check the “Savings Plan” badge before proceeding. Some thematic or niche ETFs may have higher costs or lower liquidity.

Step 3: Set Up Your First Auto-Invest Plan

Follow these steps to automate your investments:

1. In the Trade Republic app, navigate to Portfolio at the bottom.
2. Tap Savings Plan, then + (Add Savings Plan).
3. Search for your selected ETF or stock and tap it.
4. Enter the amount in EUR you wish to invest per interval (minimum €1).
5. Select the frequency—monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly.
6. Pick the execution date (e.g., 1st or 15th of the month).
7. Choose the payment source (your EUR balance or linked bank account).
8. Confirm all details and tap Set up plan.

You should now see your new savings plan listed under “Savings Plans” in your Portfolio. The first execution will occur on your selected date, provided your EUR balance covers the investment.

What can go wrong? If your EUR balance is too low, the auto-invest will not execute. Trade Republic does not offer overdraft or auto-top-up from your bank account for failed savings plans as of 2026.

Step 4: Optimise Your Auto-Invest Plan (Schedule, Fees, Adjustments)

To maximise results, fine-tune your plan:

• Frequency: Monthly is simplest for most, but bi-weekly or weekly can smooth out market volatility.
• Amounts: Start with what you can afford. You can increase later—Trade Republic lets you edit amounts or pause plans anytime.
• Fees: Most ETF savings plans are free (0% commission) on Trade Republic, but double-check for stocks or non-promoted ETFs—fees are usually €1 per execution if not free.
• Review dates: Pick a date just after your salary hits your bank, so funds are ready.

What can go wrong? Forgetting to review your plan may leave you overexposed to single markets or outdated strategies. Fees can change—watch for notifications from Trade Republic.

Step 5: Monitor Performance and Make Adjustments

Monitoring is as important as setup. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Portfolio → Savings Plans.
2. Tap each savings plan to see performance, next execution date, and historical purchases.
3. To adjust, tap Edit—change amount, frequency, or pause/cancel the plan.
4. For more detailed analytics, export your transaction history from the app for analysis in Excel or Google Sheets.

You should now see a transparent overview of your regular investments, total invested amount, and current value in EUR.

What can go wrong? Market volatility can cause short-term losses. Stay focused on your long-term EUR goals and avoid frequent tinkering unless your financial situation changes.

Step 6: Compare Trade Republic Auto-Invest with DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers

Is Trade Republic’s auto-invest the best for you? Here’s a focused EUR investor comparison:

• Trade Republic:
  • Minimum: €1 per plan
  • Commission: 0% on most ETF plans, €1 for some stocks/ETFs
  • Schedule: Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly
  • Assets: 2,000+ ETFs, 500+ stocks
  • Fully app-based, instant setup
• DEGIRO:
  • No auto-invest or savings plan feature as of 2026. All investments must be placed manually.
  • Commission: €2–3 per ETF/stock trade (some free ETFs with conditions)
  • Minimum: Usually one share/ETF unit (varies)
• Interactive Brokers:
  • “Recurring Investments” feature available, but minimums are higher (often €25–€50 per asset per execution)
  • Commission: Typically €1–€2 per EU stock/ETF trade
  • Complex interface—better for advanced users

For a broader comparison, see our detailed guide: Interactive Brokers vs. DEGIRO vs. Trade Republic: Best Platform for EUR Stock and ETF Investing in 2026.

For those interested in diversifying further, consider reading Is Now the Right Time to Add Gold to Your EUR Portfolio? for guidance on asset allocation.

Common Mistakes When Using Trade Republic Auto-Invest

• Not funding your EUR account on time: Set up recurring SEPA transfers in advance of your execution date.
• Choosing illiquid or high-fee ETFs: Stick to large, EUR-based, low-TER ETFs for most of your portfolio.
• Ignoring plan reviews: Markets and personal circumstances change—review at least annually.
• Assuming all assets are eligible: Always check the “Savings Plan” badge in the app.
• Over-diversifying: 2–4 broad ETFs are usually sufficient for most EUR investors.

Next Steps

• Experiment with a small amount (e.g., €10/month) to become comfortable with the process before scaling up.
• Read our comparison guide on The Best EUR Savings Apps in 2026: Features, Fees, and Security Compared for additional options.
• If you want to invest jointly, refer to How to Open a Joint EUR Investment Account in Europe.
• Set a quarterly reminder to review your plan and rebalance as needed.

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.