How to Use Trade Republic to Invest in Fractional Shares, ETFs, and Crypto (2026 Tutorial)

Trade Republic is one of Europe’s fastest-growing brokers, offering commission-free investing in stocks, fractional shares, ETFs, and crypto—all through a simple mobile app. If you want to get started with investing using euros, this Trade Republic tutorial 2026 is for you. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide: from opening your account to building a diversified portfolio with fractional shares, ETFs, and crypto assets.

For a broader comparison of available European brokers, see our complete guide to picking the right European broker. Here, we’ll focus exclusively on Trade Republic, including screenshots and practical tips for 2026.

Step 1: Open Your Trade Republic Account

What to do: Download the Trade Republic app from the App Store or Google Play Store and tap "Open Account." Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your email, set a password, and verify your mobile number.

• Identity verification: You’ll be asked to scan your government-issued ID and take a selfie. This is required by EU law to prevent fraud.
• Address verification: Upload a recent proof of address (e.g., utility bill, bank statement, or EU registration certificate).
• Bank connection: Enter your EU/EEA bank account IBAN. This will be used for EUR deposits and withdrawals. The bank account must be in your name.
• Questionnaire: You’ll answer a few questions about your investing experience and objectives (required by MiFID II regulations).

Why it matters: Your identity and residency must be verified to comply with EU regulations and to ensure secure access to your funds. Providing accurate details avoids delays.

What can go wrong: If your photos are blurry or your documents are expired, the verification may fail. Double-check that your name matches across all documents.

Step 2: Deposit EUR into Your Account

What to do: Once your account is approved, log in to the app. Tap Profile → Deposit Money. Trade Republic will show you your personal IBAN (a German or French account, depending on your registration). Initiate a SEPA transfer from your main EU/EEA bank account to this IBAN.

Example: If you want to start with €200, initiate a SEPA transfer for €200 from your bank’s app to the provided IBAN. Most transfers arrive the same day or next business day.

Why it matters: You can only invest once your account is funded. Only send money from an account in your name—third-party transfers will be rejected.

What can go wrong: Forgetting to include your reference code or sending from a business account may delay your deposit.

Step 3: Buy Fractional Shares of Stocks

What to do: In the app, tap Search (magnifying glass icon) and enter the name or ticker of your chosen company (e.g., “Apple” or “AAPL”). Tap the stock to open its profile. Press Buy and enter the euro amount you want to invest (e.g., €50), not the number of shares. Confirm the order summary and tap Buy Now.

Why it matters: Fractional shares allow you to invest any amount (as little as €1), even if the full share price is much higher. This is ideal for beginners building diversified portfolios.

What can go wrong: Fractional shares may have slightly wider spreads (difference between buy/sell price) than whole shares. Orders are executed at market price, so final value may differ slightly from your input.

Expected outcome: You should now see your new stock position in your Portfolio, showing the fractional amount (e.g., 0.23 Apple shares worth approximately €50).

Step 4: Invest in ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)

What to do: Tap Search and enter an ETF name or ISIN (e.g., “iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF” or “IE00B4L5Y983”). Select the ETF, tap Buy, and enter the amount in euros (e.g., €100). Confirm and execute the trade.

Why it matters: ETFs offer instant diversification across hundreds or thousands of companies. With just €50–€100, you can buy into global markets.

What can go wrong: Double-check the ETF is EUR-denominated and UCITS-compliant (important for European investors). Some ETFs may have higher spreads or lower liquidity, especially niche themes.

Expected outcome: You’ll see the new ETF holding in your Portfolio, with the invested amount and price movement.

Step 5: Invest in Crypto Assets

What to do: Go to Search and type the cryptocurrency you want (e.g., “Bitcoin” or “BTC”). Select the crypto asset, tap Buy, enter the EUR amount (e.g., €30), and confirm the purchase. Trade Republic holds your crypto in custody—no wallet setup is needed.

Why it matters: Trade Republic lets you buy crypto alongside stocks and ETFs, making diversification simple. You can start with as little as €1.

What can go wrong: Crypto is highly volatile. Trade Republic does not provide private wallets—your assets are held in pooled custody. Withdrawals to external wallets are not always supported.

Expected outcome: Your crypto holding (e.g., 0.00045 BTC) will appear in your Portfolio, with real-time EUR value updates.

Step 6: Use Auto-Invest (Savings Plans)

What to do: In the app, tap Portfolio → Savings Plan (or "Sparplan" if your app is in German). Tap + Create Plan, select the stock, ETF, or crypto you want to invest in, and set the amount (minimum €1). Choose the frequency (monthly, twice a month, or custom dates). Confirm and activate the plan.

Why it matters: Auto-investing (also called dollar/euro-cost averaging) helps build wealth over time and reduces the impact of market timing. It’s ideal for growing your portfolio with regular, small investments.

What can go wrong: Ensure your account has enough EUR before each scheduled investment. Failed payments will pause your plan.

Expected outcome: Your selected amount will be invested automatically on each chosen date. You can track all active savings plans in the "Savings Plan" section.

Step 7: Understand Fees, Security, and Tax Reports

Fees: Trade Republic offers commission-free trades for most stocks, ETFs, and crypto. However, there is a small external fee (usually €1 per trade) for order execution and third-party costs. ETF savings plans are typically free. Crypto trading may incur a spread (difference between buy/sell price).

Security: Trade Republic is regulated by BaFin (Germany) or the French AMF, and client funds are held in segregated accounts at partner banks. The app uses biometric login and 2-factor authentication.

Tax reports: At the end of each year, Trade Republic provides a detailed tax report (Jahressteuerbescheinigung) in your account settings. This helps you declare capital gains, dividends, and crypto profits on your annual tax return.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using non-EU documents: Only EU/EEA IDs and bank accounts are accepted.
• Ignoring minimum deposit requirements: Some banks require a minimum SEPA transfer (e.g., €10).
• Confusing ETFs with ETCs: Always check for “UCITS” in the ETF name for EU compliance.
• Overlooking tax responsibilities: Crypto gains and dividends must be reported, even if not withheld at source.
• Investing without research: Fractional shares and crypto are easy to buy, but always research before investing.

Next Steps

• Explore Trade Republic’s educational resources and FAQ for more advanced features.
• Gradually increase your investments as you gain confidence and knowledge.
• Consider diversifying across multiple asset classes (stocks, ETFs, crypto) to manage risk.
• Compare Trade Republic with other brokers using our European broker comparison 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.