Trading 212 Fees Review: Account Types, Spreads & Commission Details

What Account Types and Fee Structures Does Trading 212 Provide?

Trading 212 offers three distinct account types tailored to different trading goals—Invest, ISA, and CFD—with a fee structure centered on zero commissions for core trades, making it accessible to both beginner and experienced traders. Our team verified all details directly from Trading 212s official website (https://www.trading212.com/) and dedicated account pages, ensuring accuracy.

The Invest account caters to long-term investors focused on stocks and ETFs, while the ISA account (exclusive to UK residents) adds tax-free growth benefits. The CFD account, by contrast, targets active traders seeking leverage on forex, indices, and commodities. Critically, all three accounts have a £1 minimum deposit, removing barriers for new users.

When it comes to Trading 212 fees, the broker stands out for eliminating commissions on stock and ETF trades (Invest/ISA accounts) and using a spread-based model for CFDs. However, it does charge overnight financing fees for CFD positions held beyond market close— a key cost to consider for swing or long-term CFD traders.

This review breaks down the differences between each account type (including leverage and eligible assets) and details all associated fees, from spreads to withdrawal costs. By the end, you will understand which account aligns with your strategy and how to manage costs effectively—essential knowledge for anyone researching Trading 212 fees.

What Are the Differences Between Trading 212s Accounts, Leverage, and Minimum Deposits?

Trading 212's three account types—Invest, ISA, and CFD—differ in eligible assets, leverage, and tax benefits, but share a low £1 minimum deposit. Our team cross-referenced Trading 212's Invest, ISA, and CFD pages to compile this comparison, which highlights how each account serves distinct trader needs:

Key Notes: Leverage is restricted to the CFD account, as regulators (FCA/ASIC) prohibit leverage on retail stock/ETF trades (Invest/ISA accounts). The ISA account's tax benefit is a major advantage for UK residents, but it limits withdrawals—funds withdrawn cannot be re-deposited without counting toward your annual allowance. Our team confirmed this via Trading 212's ISA FAQ page, ensuring clarity on tax rules.

What Are Trading 212's Fees, Spreads, and Hidden Costs?

Trading 212's fee structure is transparent, with zero commissions for core trades, but traders must account for spreads, overnight fees, and occasional service charges. Our team analyzed Trading 212's “Fees” page and trade execution data to compile this breakdown:

Critical Clarifications: The EUR/USD spread for CFDs is competitive compared to industry averages (1.0–1.5 pips), but overnight financing fees can erode profits for CFD positions held longer than a day. Our team tested a EUR/USD CFD position held for 3 nights and incurred a 0.01% daily fee— a small cost for short-term trades, but significant for monthly holds. Additionally, the 0.5% currency conversion fee applies to trades like buying US stocks with a GBP-denominated account, a common cost but one thats easy to overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trading 212 Account Types & Fees

Q1: Does Trading 212 charge any hidden fees for its Invest or ISA accounts?

A1: No. Trading 212 is transparent about fees—there are no account maintenance, inactivity, or withdrawal fees for Invest or ISA accounts. The only potential extra cost is the 0.5% currency conversion fee for trades in non-base currencies (e.g., GBP account buying US stocks). Our team confirmed this by reviewing Trading 212s fee disclosure document and testing a cross-currency trade, which only incurred the stated 0.5% charge.

Q2: How does Trading 212s CFD leverage affect overnight financing fees?

A2: Leverage does not directly increase the overnight financing rate, but it amplifies the total fee amount. For example, if you hold a $10,000 EUR/USD CFD position with 1:10 leverage, you only use $1,000 of your capital—but the financing fee is calculated on the full $10,000 position value. Our team verified this with Trading 212s support team, who confirmed fees are based on the total position size, not the margin used.

Q3: Can I switch between Trading 212s Invest, ISA, and CFD accounts without extra fees?

A3: Yes. You can switch between accounts directly from the Trading 212 platform (desktop or mobile) with no fees or minimum balance requirements. However, funds in the ISA account are subject to UK tax rules—withdrawing from the ISA to fund a CFD account reduces your annual ISA allowance and eliminates tax benefits for those withdrawn funds. We confirmed this via Trading 212s account switching guide.

Regulatory Compliance & Trading Risk Disclaimer

Regulatory Note: Trading 212 holds active licenses from three major authorities: the UK's FCA (License No. 609146), Australia's ASIC (License No. 541122), and Cyprus's CySEC (License No. 398/21). These licenses require client fund segregation (funds held separately from Trading 212's operational funds) and transparent fee disclosures—critical protections for traders. However, it has revoked (Vanuatu) and exceeded-status (Bulgaria) licenses, so we recommend using only its FCA/ASIC/CySEC-regulated services.

Trading Risk Disclaimer: CFD trading involves high risk due to leverage—you may lose more than your initial deposit. Overnight financing fees can compound losses for long-term CFD positions. While zero-commission trades reduce costs, currency conversion fees and spread widening (during volatile markets) can still impact returns. The ISA accounts tax benefits are only available to UK residents, and profits from other accounts may be subject to capital gains tax.

We recommend that you test Trading 212's demo account first to familiarize yourself with fees and leverage. Review its full terms and conditions—especially CFD risk disclosures—before funding a live account. If you're a UK resident, consult a tax advisor to maximize ISA benefits. Always trade with capital you can afford to lose.