Trade Republic: A Broker and Interest-Bearing Account in One
Trade Republic is a European brokerage firm based in Berlin and founded in 2019 that has gained millions of customers across Europe thanks to its €1 commission per trade. But beyond investing, it also offers basic banking services: an account with a European IBAN that pays interest on cash that isn’t invested.
In 2026, Trade Republic pays 2.02% APR on the account balance. View product on APYData →
How exactly does the interest work?
Trade Republic automatically applies interest to the available account balance (cash not invested in stocks, ETFs, or other instruments). Interest is credited monthly.
The interest rate applied is linked to the ECB’s Deposit Facility Rate. When the ECB raises rates, Trade Republic increases the interest rate; when it lowers them, Trade Republic adjusts the rate accordingly. This makes it less predictable than a fixed-term deposit.
There is no minimum balance required to start earning interest, and there is no publicly stated maximum limit.
What safeguards are in place for money in Trade Republic?
Trade Republic Bank GmbH has been a fully licensed bank under BaFin (the German financial regulator) since 2023. This means that cash in the account is protected by the German Deposit Guarantee Fund up to €100,000 per account holder.
Before obtaining its banking license, Trade Republic held cash in segregated accounts at custodian banks. With its own banking license, the protection is direct and unquestionable.
Money in Trade Republic has the same legal protection as in any traditional Spanish or German bank: €100,000 guaranteed by the Deposit Guarantee Fund (FGD).
Trade Republic vs. Other Interest-Bearing Accounts in 2026
Let’s compare Trade Republic’s 2.02% with other available options:
- Ibercaja Cuenta Vamos: 5.09% APR — Only for the first 3 months, then drops significantly. See terms →
- Bankinter Salary Account: 5.00% APR — Requires direct deposit of salary. See terms →
- Raisin Welcome Account: 3.33% APR — No term, no conditions. See product →
- XTB Savings Account: 3.50% APR (promotional) — Higher during the promotion, but subject to change. See terms →
- Trade Republic: 2.02% APR — Linked to the ECB, no additional conditions.
In terms of pure returns, Trade Republic doesn’t top the rankings. Its real advantage is its integration with investing: money that isn’t invested automatically earns interest, without having to open another account.
Who is Trade Republic best for?
Trade Republic is ideal if you already invest or want to invest in stocks and ETFs. In that case, cash waiting to be invested earns 2.02% while you wait for the right opportunity. If you’re just looking for returns on your savings without investing, there are better options.
It also stands out for its debit card with stock cashback (up to 1% on daily purchases), its automatic savings plan in ETFs starting at €1, and the ability to buy fractional shares.
Conclusion
In 2026, Trade Republic isn’t the option with the highest APR on the market for pure savings, but it effectively combines cash returns with access to investing. If you’re already a customer or are considering opening a brokerage account, the 2.02% cash return is a welcome bonus.
To maximize the returns on pure savings (without investing), consider combining Trade Republic with products from the APYData comparison tool.