Trading 212 referral link — get a free share worth up to £100 (2026)
What is Trading 212?
Trading 212 is one of the UK's most popular investment apps, used by over 4.5 million people. It offers commission-free trading on over 10,000 stocks and ETFs, a Stocks & Shares ISA, and a Cash ISA. It's regulated by the FCA and client funds are FSCS protected up to £85,000.
The refer-a-friend scheme is one of the most generous sign-up bonuses available in the UK right now — both you and the person who referred you get a free fractional share worth up to £100, just for depositing £1.
How much could the free share be worth?
The share is randomly assigned and could be from any well-known company. Most people receive between £8 and £25, but higher values are regularly awarded. Here's the typical range:
You can sell the share immediately once it arrives — you don't have to keep it. However, the cash proceeds must stay in your Trading 212 account for 30 days before you can withdraw them to your bank.
How to claim your free share — step by step
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1Click the referral link above
You must sign up via a referral link or enter a referral code within 10 days of creating your account. Going directly to trading212.com without a referral means no free share.
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2Create your account and choose your account type
You can open a Stocks & Shares ISA (investments are tax-free, counts toward your £20,000 annual ISA allowance) or a standard Invest account (no ISA wrapper, no allowance limit). Both qualify for the free share. Most people choose the ISA.
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3Verify your identity
Enter your National Insurance number, upload a photo ID (passport or driving licence) and take a selfie. Trading 212 verifies most accounts instantly in the app.
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4Deposit at least £1 within 10 days
Transfer a minimum of £1 into your account. You can do this by bank transfer or debit card. This deposit triggers the free share — you don't need to buy anything with it.
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5Free share arrives within 1–3 business days
You'll get a notification when it lands. You can then sell it immediately if you want — the cash proceeds will be available to withdraw after 30 days.
If you have ISA allowance remaining this tax year (you can save up to £20,000 tax-free), choose the Stocks & Shares ISA. Any gains on investments inside it are free from Capital Gains Tax. If you've already used your full ISA allowance, open a standard Invest account instead — it still qualifies for the free share.
Can I sell the free share straight away?
Yes — you can sell it as soon as it arrives in your account. However, the cash from the sale must remain in your Trading 212 account for 30 days before you can withdraw it to your bank. This is Trading 212's lock-up period to prevent abuse of the scheme.
Does this count toward my ISA allowance?
Only if the share is credited to your ISA account. If you open a Stocks & Shares ISA and the free share is placed there, it will count as a deposit against your £20,000 annual limit. Given the share is worth at most £100, this is unlikely to matter for most people — but if you're close to your ISA limit, open an Invest account instead to keep things simple.
Is Trading 212 safe?
Yes. Trading 212 UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Client funds are held separately from company funds and are FSCS protected up to £85,000 per person. Trading 212 also holds additional insurance via Lloyd's of London.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to keep the £1 deposit in my account?
- No. Once the free share has been credited (1–3 business days after depositing), you can withdraw your original £1 deposit. The 30-day lock-up only applies to the proceeds from selling the free share itself.
- What if I already have a Trading 212 Cash ISA?
- The referral scheme applies to Stocks & Shares ISA and Invest accounts only — not Cash ISA accounts. If you only have a Cash ISA with Trading 212, you may still be eligible to open a Stocks & Shares ISA and claim the bonus. Check inside the app.
- Can I refer my own friends after signing up?
- Yes — once your account is active, go to Menu → Get free shares → Invite friends to get your own referral link. You can earn up to 100 additional free shares per year by referring others.
- What happens if the campaign ends before I deposit?
- The promotion must be active when you complete the qualifying steps. Trading 212 runs campaigns in windows — the current one ends 28 April 2026. Sign up and deposit before that date.
- Can I use a promo code instead of the referral link?
- Yes — if you've already signed up without using a referral link, you can enter a referral code in the app under Menu → Use Promo Code, within 10 days of account creation.