Investing
British Pound (GBP).

How GBP investing actually works

Trade Republic settles GBP-denominated ETFs and equities at competitive FX rates (typically 0.15–0.25% spread) — its brokerage is the most institutionally serious among EU neobanks. Revolut's brokerage charges FX at the user's tier rate (free within allowance, 0.5% above) plus a per-trade fee. Bunq integrates with select brokers but operates more as a multi-currency wallet than a settlement layer for GBP assets. For larger GBP investing, the all-in cost (FX + per-trade fee + settlement spread) matters more than the headline trade commission.

Watchouts and hidden costs

FX cost on GBP-asset trades adds up: a 0.5% FX spread on a €10,000 trade is €50 you didn't see in the trade confirmation. Always verify the executed FX rate against mid-market. Tax: dividends from GBP-denominated assets may incur withholding tax in the United Kingdom, which is partially or fully recoverable via the EU's double-taxation treaties — check the relevant treaty for your residence country.

Which EU neobank is best for investing in GBP assets?

Trade Republic is the institutional-grade choice for GBP-denominated brokerage at EU neobanks. Revolut offers integrated brokerage with the convenience of multi-currency wallet integration. Bunq partners with brokers but is not itself a settlement layer for GBP assets.

What FX cost should I expect on GBP trades?

Trade Republic typically applies a 0.15–0.25% FX spread on GBP trades. Revolut charges based on the user tier (free within allowance, 0.5% above). For larger trades, the FX cost can exceed the per-trade commission — always check the all-in cost.

Is investing in GBP assets via an EU neobank protected?

Brokerage holdings (the GBP assets themselves) are typically held in a segregated client-asset account under the EU MiFID II framework, separate from the institution's balance sheet. This is structurally different from deposit insurance — the protection is against bankruptcy of the broker, not against market losses. Always read the client-asset disclosure before investing.