Trade Republic PEA Review 2026: Is It the Best Broker for French Investors?
Trade Republic launched its PEA in France in January 2025, disrupting a market dominated by BoursoBank, Bourse Direct and Fortuneo. After 18 months live, here's what actually works and what doesn't.
What's new: TR's PEA launched in January 2025
Trade Republic entered France with a CTO in 2020, then added life insurance, and finally the PEA in January 2025. The PEA launch was highly anticipated by its ~2M French users who wanted to centralize everything in one app.
Fees: the clear advantage
| Fee type | Trade Republic PEA | BoursoBank PEA | Bourse Direct PEA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order commission | €1 flat | 0.99% (min €1.99) | 0.99% (min €0.99) |
| Account custody | €0 | €0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | €0 | €0 | €0 |
| Auto-invest plans | Free | Not available | Not available |
| Cash interest rate | 2% (uninvested cash) | 0% | 0% |
For small monthly DCA orders (€50-200), TR's €1 flat fee is unbeatable. On €100, that's 1% vs 0.99% — nearly identical, except TR's auto-invest plans are free and fully automatic.
Auto-invest plans: the killer feature
TR lets you set up automatic investment plans (Sparpläne) for any ETF in the PEA. Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, from €1. Once set up, you never touch it. This is genuinely unique in the French PEA market as of 2026 — no other broker offers fully automated DCA for PEA ETFs.
Limitations to know
- No PEA-PME: Trade Republic doesn't offer the PEA-PME (the complement account for SMEs). If you want a PEA-PME, open it elsewhere.
- Limited ETF selection: ~600 ETFs in PEA vs. 1,200+ at Bourse Direct. Most major ETFs (CW8, WPEA, PAEEM, IWDA) are available, but niche ETFs may be missing.
- Mobile-only: no desktop app or web platform. Everything happens through the smartphone app. Deal-breaker for some, non-issue for most.
- Customer support: chat-only, response times vary. Not adapted for complex situations.
For a beginner investor with a simple lazy portfolio (1-3 ETFs in DCA), Trade Republic PEA is the best choice in France in 2026. Free auto-invest plans + €1 orders + 2% cash interest = nothing comparable. For advanced users needing a PEA-PME or a very large ETF catalog, prefer Bourse Direct or Fortuneo.
Who should open a TR PEA?
- ✅ Beginner investor, €50-500/month, simple lazy portfolio
- ✅ Anyone who wants fully automated DCA
- ✅ Users already on TR (centralize everything)
- ❌ Investors needing PEA-PME
- ❌ Active traders needing advanced order types
- ❌ Those preferring desktop/web interface
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Start for free →FAQ
Is the Trade Republic PEA regulated and secure?
Yes. Trade Republic Bank GmbH is authorized by the German BaFin and operates under EU passporting rules in France. Deposits are covered up to €100,000 (cash) by the German deposit guarantee scheme. Securities are legally held in your name and segregated from company assets.
Can I transfer an existing PEA to Trade Republic?
Yes, PEA transfers are possible. The transfer takes 3-4 weeks typically. During the transfer, your PEA "age" is preserved (critical for the 5-year tax advantage). Note: TR may not accept all securities currently held — check compatibility before initiating.