Trading 212 is an online broker that offers real stocks, ETFs, and CFDs across a variety of asset classes. The company is based in London and is regulated by two international organizations.
With a modern cross-platform experience, Trading 212 operates trading accounts on a zero-commission model and continues to be a leading trading app in the UK since 2016.
In this review, we cover the range of trading products, the quality of the mobile and desktop platforms, and step-by-step guides to sign up and start trading with Trading 212.
Read on to find out if Trading 212 is available in and how you can get started.
Trading 212 at a Glance
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|---|---|
| Overview | A leading UK online broker since 2016 |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Markets | CFDs, Stocks, and ISAs |
| Products | Forex, Shares, Indices, Commodities (see all product details) |
| Countries Served | Many including: UK, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the UAE - (read more) |
| Minimum Deposit & Fees | $/£/€1 to $/£/€10 - (read more about funding and fees) |
| Regulator(s) | UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) - (see all regulatory information here) |
| Customer Support | Chat, E-mail, support tickets |
| Demo Account | Yes, with 50,000 demo credits |
Pros and Cons of Trading With This Broker
| What's Good About Trading 212? | What Could Trading 212 Do Better? |
|---|---|
Start Trading Now at Trading 212
Can You Trust Trading 212?
Trading 212 has been around since 2004 and is based in London, with oversight from top-tier regulators like the FCA in the UK and CySEC in Cyprus. Client funds are kept separate, which adds a solid layer of trust.
| Regulator | Country | License | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Conduct Authority | 609146 | Established | |
| German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) | 10109603 | Established | |
| Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | 398/21 | Established | |
| Australian Securities and Investments Commission | 541122 | Established | |
| Financial Supervision Commission | RG-03-0237 | Established | |
| Financial Conduct Authority | 609146 | Established | |
| Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | 398/21 | Established | |
| Financial Supervision Commission | RG-03-0237 | Established | |
| Australian Securities and Investments Commission | AFSL 541122 | Established | |
| German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) | 10109603 | Established | |
| Financial Conduct Authority | 609146 | Established | |
| Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) | 10109603 | Established | |
| Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | 398/21 | Established | |
| Australian Securities and Investments Commission | 541122 | Established | |
| Financial Supervision Commission | RG-03-0237 | Established | |
| Financial Conduct Authority | 609146 | Established | |
| Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | 398/21 | Established | |
| Financial Supervision Commission | RG-03-0237 | Established | |
| Australian Securities and Investments Commission | AFSL 541122 | Established | |
| German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) | 10109603 | Established | |
| Financial Services Commission (BVI) | Bulgaria | RG-03-0237 | Established |
| Protection | Status |
|---|---|
| Negative Balance Protection | ✗ No |
| Segregated Client Funds | ✓ Yes |
| Compensation Schemes | ✓ FSCS up to GBP 120,000 for uninvested cash in Invest accounts; ICF Cyprus and Bulgaria up to 90% limited to EUR 20,000; Germany EdB also referenced on the official site. |
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2004 (22 years) |
Trust Indicators
Where Does Trading 212 Operate?
Trading 212 runs under two registered companies, one in England and Wales, and one in Bulgaria. The company is authorized to operate as an online broker by two regulatory bodies:
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – Registration no. 609146
- Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) – Registration no. RG-03-0237
Trading 212 accepts traders from over 100 countries worldwide, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, the UK, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the UAE.
The broker does NOT accept customers from some countries like Canada, the US, or China. (see which brokers & trading apps are available in your country)
IMPORTANT: CFDs are not available in the USA.
Website and Platform Languages
The Trading 212 website and platform are available in 11 languages. These are:
- English
- German
- Dutch
- French
- Italian
- Espanol
- Polish
- Russian
- Romanian
- Chinese
- Arabic
Customer service, however, is only available in English and is based in the UK.
Client Fund Protection
Traders funds are kept in separate bank accounts and are protected under the:
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) – Compensation up to £85,000
- Investors Compensation Fund (ICF) – 90% compensation up to €20,000
Start Trading Now at Trading 212
How To Open A Trading 212 Account
Trading 212 offers a simple account setup, plus a demo account with GBP 50,000 in practice funds. It also supports tax-friendly ISA accounts for UK users, which is a big plus, but it does not offer a wide range of account types.
Trading 212 offers three retail account types: CFD, Invest, and ISA.
Traders can open an account with Trading 212 in a few simple steps. After clicking the ‘Open Account’ button on the website or application:
- Select your country of residence (and the country where you pay taxes).
- Fill in name, phone number, and date of birth.
- Provide your National Tax Identifier (NTI).
- Fill in your residential address.
- Select your account type(s).
- Select your preferred currency to trade with.
- Provide financial details of your:
- Annual salary and estimated savings
- Source of your income for the deposit
- Occupation.
- Provide details of your trading experience:
- Trade volume in the past 12 months
- Professional experience in financial sectors.
- Verify your account by providing:
- A valid ID (photo or scan)
- An up-to-date selfie
- Proof of address (bank statement or utility bill from the past 3 months).
Professional Account Requirements
Trading 212 offers a professional trading account, though the benefits and features of the upgrade are not stated on the website.
Requirements to open a ‘Pro’ account with Trading 212 are:
- An average of at least 10 trades in each of the last four quarters of the past year (min. 40 trades for the year)
- An investment portfolio (cash and financial instruments) of at least €500,000
- At least 1 year of professional experience in a financial sector
Given the oblivious disclosure of what comes with the Trading 212 professional account, traders looking for professional trading accounts in may prefer brokers like AvaTrade, City Index, or Plus500.
What About a Demo Account?
To open a demo account, traders provide their e-mail address with a password and are given immediate access to a fully functional demo platform.
The account comes with £50,000 practice credits. It must be noted that not all products are listed on the demo account. Clients can switch to a real trading account from the demo dashboard.
Start Trading Now at Trading 212
Guide To Trading CFDs With Trading 212
| Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Copy Trading | No |
| Islamic Account | No |
| Negative Balance Protection | No |
| Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Segregated Client Funds | Yes |
| Social Trading | No |
Trading 212 clients can choose from three retail variations of the platform:
- Trading 212 CFD: Contracts-for-difference on forex, commodities, stocks, and indices
- Trading 212 Invest: Real stocks and exchange-traded-funds (ETFs) from as little as £1
- Trading 212 ISA: Tax-free, zero commission stocks from £1
With the CFD account, traders have access to the following asset classes: forex, commodities, indices, and stocks. These markets open at 21:01 on Sundays and close at 20:59 on Fridays (GMT).
Forex
There are over 200 forex pairs to trade.
See all forex pairs.
| AUD/BGN | CHF/HUF | GBP/RON | SEK/HKD |
| AUD/CAD | CHF/JPY | GBP/RUB | SEK/JPY |
| AUD/CHF | CHF/MXN | GBP/SEK | SEK/PLN |
| AUD/CNH | CHF/NOK | GBP/SGD | SEK/RON |
| AUD/CZK | CHF/NZD | GBP/TRY | SGD/BGN |
| AUD/DKK | CHF/PLN | GBP/USD | SGD/GBP |
| AUD/GBP | CHF/RON | GBP/ZAR | SGD/HKD |
| AUD/HKD | CHF/RUB | Gold/RUB | SGD/JPY |
| AUD/ILS | CHF/SEK | HKD/GBP | SGD/MXN |
| AUD/JPY | CHF/SGD | HKD/HUF | SGD/PLN |
| AUD/MXN | CHF/TRY | HKD/JPY | SGD/RON |
| AUD/NOK | CHF/ZAR | HKD/ZAR | SGD/SEK |
| AUD/NZD | CNH/JPY | HUF/GBP | SGD/TRY |
| AUD/PLN | CNH/MXN | ILS/MXN | SGD/ZAR |
| AUD/RON | CZK/JPY | JPY/GBP | Silver/RUB |
| AUD/SEK | DKK/GBP | JPY/HUF | TRY/CNH |
| AUD/SGD | DKK/HKD | MXN/JPY | TRY/CZK |
| AUD/TRY | DKK/JPY | NOK/DKK | TRY/DKK |
| AUD/USD PRO | DKK/ZAR | NOK/GBP | TRY/GBP |
| AUD/USD | EUR/AUD | NOK/JPY | TRY/HKD |
| AUD/ZAR | EUR/CAD | NOK/PLN | TRY/HUF |
| BGN/AUD | EUR/CHF | NOK/RON | TRY/JPY |
| BGN/DKK | EUR/CNH | NOK/SEK | TRY/MXN |
| BGN/HUF | EUR/CZK | NOK/ZAR | TRY/NOK |
| BGN/JPY | EUR/DKK | NZD/CAD | TRY/PLN |
| BGN/NOK | EUR/GBP | NZD/CHF | TRY/RON |
| BGN/PLN | EUR/HKD | NZD/CNH | TRY/SEK |
| BGN/RON | EUR/HUF | NZD/GBP | TRY/ZAR |
| BGN/RUB | EUR/ILS | NZD/HKD | USD/AUD |
| BGN/SEK | EUR/JPY | NZD/JPY | USD/BGN |
| BGN/SGD | EUR/MXN | NZD/MXN | USD/CAD PRO |
| BGN/TRY | EUR/NOK | NZD/NOK | USD/CAD |
| CAD/AUD | EUR/NZD | NZD/PLN | USD/CHF |
| CAD/BGN | EUR/PLN | NZD/RON | USD/CNH |
| CAD/CHF | EUR/RON | NZD/SEK | USD/CZK |
| CAD/CNH | EUR/RUB | NZD/SGD | USD/DKK |
| CAD/CZK | EUR/SEK | NZD/TRY | USD/GBP |
| CAD/DKK | EUR/SGD | NZD/USD | USD/HKD |
| CAD/GBP | EUR/TRY | NZD/ZAR | USD/HUF |
| CAD/HKD | EUR/USD | PLN/CNH | USD/ILS |
| CAD/JPY | EUR/ZAR | PLN/CZK | USD/JPY |
| CAD/MXN | EURBGN | PLN/GBP | USD/MXN |
| CAD/NOK | GBP/AUD | PLN/HUF | USD/NOK |
| CAD/NZD | GBP/BGN | PLN/JPY | USD/PLN |
| CAD/PLN | GBP/CAD | PLN/MXN | USD/RON |
| CAD/RON | GBP/CHF | PLN/ZAR | USD/RUB |
| CAD/RUB | GBP/CNH | RON/CZK | USD/SEK |
| CAD/SEK | GBP/CZK | RON/GBP | USD/SGD |
| CAD/SGD | GBP/DKK | RON/HUF | USD/TRY |
| CAD/TRY | GBP/HKD | RON/JPY | USD/ZAR |
| CAD/ZAR | GBP/HUF | RON/MXN | ZAR/CZK |
| CHF/AUD | GBP/JPY | RON/NOK | ZAR/GBP |
| CHF/BGN | GBP/MXN | RON/PLN | ZAR/JPY |
| CHF/CAD | GBP/NOK | RON/SEK | ZAR/RUB |
| CHF/CZK | GBP/NZD | RON/ZAR | |
| CHF/GBP | GBP/PLN | SEK/DKK |
Commodities
Here are the commodity CFDs offered by Trading 212:
Traders can also speculate on commodity/forex pairs, primarily with major currencies and precious metals.
Indices
There are over 40 index CFDs offered by Trading 212:
See all indices.
- Amundi ETF MSCI Spain
- Amundi MSCI Nordic
- Canada ETF
- Dollar Index-15Mar21
- EURO STOXX 50
- France 40
- Germany 30
- iShares MSCI Brazil
- iShares MSCI Denmark
- iShares MSCI Finland
- iShares MSCI Israel
- iShares MSCI Mexico
- iShares MSCI New Zealand
- iShares MSCI Norway
- iShares MSCI Poland
- iShares MSCI Singapore
- iShares MSCI Sweden
- Italy 40
- Japan 225
- Lyxor Australia S&P/ASX 200
- Lyxor BEL 20
- Lyxor Hang Seng China Enterprise ETF
- Lyxor HSI Hong Kong ETF
- Lyxor MSCI India
- Lyxor MSCI Korea ETF
- Lyxor MSCI Malaysia
- Lyxor MSCI Russia
- Lyxor MSCI South Africa
- Lyxor MSCI Taiwan
- Lyxor MSCI Turkey
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Automobiles & Parts ETF
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Banks ETF
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Financial Services (Acc)
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Healthcare ETF
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Insurance ETF
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Media ETF
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Technology
- Lyxor Stoxx Europe 600 Telecoms ETF
- NASDAQ 100
- Netherlands 25
- SPX 500
- Switzerland 20
- UK 100
- US 30
- Xtrackers MSCI Indonesia
Traders have over 3,000 global stocks and ETFs to choose from. Popular real stock equities on the Trading 212 market include:
- Barclays PLC
- Vodafone Group PLC
- Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
- Deutsche Bank AG
- Tesla, Inc.
- Lloyds Banking Group PLC
- China Railway Group Ltd.
- Xiaomi Corp
- Apple Inc
Real stocks and ETFs can be traded on the Trading 212 Invest and ISA platforms, while stock CFDs are available on the CFD platform.
How to Start Trading CFDs Step-by-Step
IMPORTANT: CFDs are not available in the USA.
In a few steps, traders can begin to trade CFDs and manage their positions.
Here is how you do it:
- First, ensure that Trading 212 is available in
- Log in to your verified trading account and select ‘Trading 212 CFD’
- Deposit funds by clicking the blue ‘Deposit’ button
- Select an instrument of interest (after ample research)
- Click the ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’ indicator for your chosen instrument
- Set the quantity and any profit/loss limits
- Click ‘Confirm’ to open the trade
Once you’ve executed your first trade, you can manage your open positions at the bottom center of your screen.
Start Trading Now at Trading 212
Deposits & Withdrawals
You can fund and withdraw by common payment methods, and deposits usually move fast. The main catch is that withdrawals go back to the same method you used to fund the account, and the broker charges that 0.7% deposit fee after GBP 2,000 in total deposits.
The available deposit and withdrawal methods are:
- Apple Pay
- Bank Transfers
- Carte Bleue
- Credit/Debit Card
- Direct eBanking
- Dotpay
- Giropay
- Google Pay
- iDEAL
- PayPal
- Skrill
There are no deposit fees until you deposit GBP 2,000 in total, then an 0.7% fee applies. There are no withdrawal fees.
Trading 212 Fees and Spreads
Trading 212 is cheap for trading, since it charges zero commission on real stocks and ETFs, plus no funding fees. The catch is the 0.7% deposit fee after GBP 2,000 in total deposits, and CFD costs still come through spreads and overnight fees.
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 GBP |
Fees may vary by account type and region. Always check the broker's fee schedule before trading.
Trading 212 fees depend on your account type. Here’s a summary of fees based on which Trading 212 account you hold.
Trading 212 Invest Account Fees
Fees for real stocks and ETFs:
| Min. Deposit | 1 EUR/GBP/USD (10 with wire transfers) |
| Min. Withdrawal Amount | 1 EUR/GBP/USD |
| Deposit/Withdrawal Fee | None |
| Overnight Trading Fee | None |
| Currency Conversion Charge | 0% |
| Commission | None |
| Min. Order Size | 1 EUR/GBP/USD |
Trading 212 CFD Account Fees
Fees for CFDs and forex:
| Min. Deposit | 10 EUR/GBP/USD |
| Min. Withdrawal Amount | 10 EUR/GBP/USD |
| Deposit/Withdrawal Fee | None |
| Overnight Trading Fee | SWAP interest (varies per instrument) |
| Currency Conversion Charge | 0.5% |
| Commission | None |
| Forex | Majors: 3.33% Non-Majors: 5% |
| Commodities | Gold: 5% Other: 10% |
| Stocks | 20% |
| Indices | Base Indices: 5% Other: 10% |
Trading 212 ISA Account Fees
Fees for tax-free stock trades:
| Min. Deposit | 1 GBP (10 with wire transfer) |
| Min. WIthdrawal Amount | 1 GBP |
| Deposit/Withdrawal Fee | None |
| Overnight Trading Fee | None |
| Currency Conversion Charge | 0% |
| Commission | None |
| Min. Order | 1 GBP |
Start Trading Now at Trading 212
Platforms
Trading 212 keeps things simple with its own web and mobile platforms, and that works well for beginners. It does not cater much to pro traders who want heavy tools or third-party platforms like MetaTrader.
| Platform | Available On | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 Desktop | Desktop | Broker's own trading platform with integrated tools and account management. |
| Trading 212 Mobile | iOS Android | Broker's own trading platform with integrated tools and account management. |
| Trading 212 Web | Web | Browser-based trading with no downloads required. Access from any device. |
We tried Trading 212’s desktop and mobile applications, then reviewed them side-by-side.
Asset Browsing and Dashboard

- On Desktop: All assets are accessible through the sidebar alongside customizable watchlists. The side-bar toggle can be set to close automatically when the cursor is elsewhere. The rest of the dashboard consists of the position manager and chart in the center of the screen, and the trading stats bar.
- On Mobile: Traders use a slider to navigate between asset classes and scroll to browse products. The top bar presents the available balance and the option to switch between account types.
Executing Trades

- On Desktop: Traders can choose between a trade at the market level, a stop/loss trade, and a multi-order trade. The trade execution window also shows the active margin and SWAP trading fee.
- On Mobile: The mobile trading screen is more feature-rich than its desktop counterpart with a built-in charting tool. More, trading stats can be viewed in the live trade window by scrolling down.
Position Management

- On Desktop: An open tab at the bottom of the dashboard. It shows stats like the instrument quantity, current and traded price, direction of trade, margin, and a live profit/loss meter. Multiple positions can be closed at a time. The same tab gives access to pending orders and price alerts.
- On Mobile: The position management tabs resemble the trading tabs with the corresponding chart, trading data, and ability to close the trade, or even buy more of the same product.
Trading Tools and Resources
- On Desktop: The charting tool takes center stage on the desktop with chart templates and a multitude of indicators, both pre-set and custom. Video tutorials are available on-demand, even on charting.
- On Mobile: While the economic calendars, video tutorials, and reports are all accessible on mobile too, the charting tool is the most impressive. Traders can go as far as finger-drawing Elliot Waves and adding customized Bollinger Bands.
Start Trading Now at Trading 212
Verdict
Trading 212 is a strong pick for new traders and long-term stock buyers who want a clean app, zero-commission trading, and access to real stocks and ETFs without much fuss.
Trading 212 is a UK-based online broker offering zero-commission trading on real stocks, ETFs, and CFDs across forex, commodities, and indices, with a modern cross-platform experience and strong regulatory oversight since 2016.
Top advantages:
- Zero commission on trades and no funding fees
- Over 3,000 global stocks, ETFs, and CFDs available
- Quick registration and beginner-friendly mobile app
FAQs
Does Trading 212 offer trading on cryptocurrency?
No. As a result of the FCA’s new policy on cryptocurrencies, Trading 212 stopped offering crypto CFDs as of November 27, 2020. The company stated that removal of cryptocurrency products “was an internal business decision as it is becoming increasingly difficult, and almost impossible to hedge cryptocurrency exposure.”
Is Trading 212 good for beginners?
Trading is not good for beginners, period. Trading 212 has a modern, and clutter-free demo platform that allows traders to start trading with practice credits in minutes. The product range is impressive, and there is plenty of support material to help traders learn about the world of trading. Those new to trading may want to practice with demo credits before spending real money.
How do I withdraw money from Trading 212?
To withdraw your funds from your Trading 212 account, you need to use the same payment method as you did to fund the account. According to Trading 212, this is for security reasons. You can read more about Trading 212 deposits and withdrawals in our deposits overview.
Do Trading 212 pay dividends?
Yes, Trading 212 pays dividends to their eligible clients. The qualification criteria are different for Invest/ISA account holders versus CFD account holders. CFD dividends are paid if a position is held open through an ex-dividend date. The funds are sent or deducted from the trader’s account.
How does Trading 212 make money?
Since Trading 212 does not charge commissions, they make their money through spreads (both variable and fixed), as well as SWAP rates. SWAP rates are calculated on a per-product basis and are applied to the account balance at 21:00 GMT. To see Trading 212’s up to date spreads, visit their website.
Yes, Trading 212 offers customers real shares of companies via its subsidiary platforms: Trading 212 Invest, and Trading 212 ISA. Alongside shares, traders can choose from thousands of stock CFDs. The full list of stocks can be seen on Trading212.com. You can also find a list of products here.
Credits: Written by Marko Csokasi with contributions from the Commodity.com editorial team. Updates in Feb 2021 by Natalie Mootz.
Update history
This page was revised 17 times between July 2020 and April 2026.
Restructured page organization by adding three new sections (Trust, Platforms, Verdict), renaming one heading for brevity, and implementing standardized content tags across sections.
Added informational alert box directing readers to Trading 212 alternatives and related broker guides.
Added alert box suggesting alternative brokers (Avatrade, Plus500, eToro) in Pros and Cons section.
Added cross-reference link to guide on broker availability by country.
Added cross-reference link to guide readers toward brokers available in their country.
Added clarification by specifying "with Trading 212" in the introductory sentence.
Added clarification specifying "Trading 212" in the introductory sentence for improved context.
Added new section on professional account requirements, restructured fee sections with clearer headings, expanded FAQ content with detailed explanations of commissions and product offerings, and updated byline with February 2021 revisions.
Restructured fees section with clearer subheadings for each account type, added country availability placeholder and professional account requirements, expanded FAQ answers with additional details about beginner suitability and revenue model.
Expanded indices list from 45 to over 40 CFDs with specific holdings, added 16 commodities to the list, reorganized deposit methods alphabetically, clarified fee structure, and corrected grammar throughout multiple sections.
Removed outdated cryptocurrency trading information following Trading 212's November 2020 policy change, restructured account opening steps for clarity, and added country-specific content placeholders throughout.
Updated list of countries where Trading 212 accepts and restricts traders, reflecting current regulatory eligibility.
Replaced 5 hardcoded risk warnings with dynamic risk warning component across multiple sections.
Corrected spelling error "pail" to "pair" in Cryptocurrencies section and rewrote regulation heading for clarity.
Removed statement about demo account switching, corrected spelling errors across multiple sections, improved section heading clarity, and refined list formatting throughout.
Replaced manual risk warnings with automated system across five sections, corrected spelling error, streamlined commodity listing, and substantially rewrote beginner suitability section with cautionary messaging.
Added product information including asset class tables, demo account details, step-by-step trading guide, and multiple risk warnings throughout the review.
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