Trade Republic 2% savings vs Livret A: where to park your cash in 2026?

Published 5 June 2026 — "2% with no cap and no paperwork" on one side, "1.5% State-guaranteed and tax-free" on the other. Neobank marketing pushes Trade Republic to the top of the searches while the Livret A has just been cut. But once tax is taken out, which one really pays more? The honest comparison — no hidden ad.

The rates as of 1 June 2026

One essential reflex: never compare a "gross" rate with a "net" rate. That's exactly the trap most comparisons fall into.

*In 2026 the flat tax on interest is 30%, rising to 31.4% once the CSG increase on capital income is included.

The calculation nobody runs: the net return

Trade Republic's 2% is taxable interest. After the flat tax, here's what actually stays in your pocket:

Mathematical verdict: for an equal amount and under the cap, the Livret A pays more net than Trade Republic. For a taxed remunerated account to beat the Livret A, it would need to show roughly 2.14% gross. Trade Republic, at 2%, lands just below.

Worked example on €10,000

On €10,000, the Livret A earns you €10 more per year, with no tax paperwork at all. The gap is small, but it runs in the opposite direction to what the ad suggests.

So what is Trade Republic actually for?

For one precise thing: parking the cash that exceeds the caps of regulated savings accounts. Once your Livret A (€22,950) and LDDS (€12,000) are full, money sitting in your current account earns nothing at all. That's where Trade Republic's 2% gross — even taxed — beats 0%.

Its other real strengths:

• Interest paid monthly, on cash up to €50,000.
• No blocking cap like regulated savings accounts.
• Money available instantly (useful as an emergency cushion).
• Cash covered by the deposit guarantee (€100,000 per partner bank).

The catch: the rate is variable and not guaranteed. It has already dropped once and can drop again. You're building on shifting sand, where the Livret A remains a stable base.

The smart savings hierarchy in 2026

Rather than pitting them against each other, stack them in the right order:

Because it has to be said plainly: 1.5% or 2% will never make you rich. With inflation around 2%, these products barely protect your purchasing power. They're built for your safety savings — not for growing wealth. For that, a long horizon and equity markets remain unavoidable.

The most expensive mistake

According to a June 2026 survey, 13% of French people still leave all their savings in a non-remunerated current account. That's the real issue: whether you pick the Livret A or Trade Republic, what matters is to get the money out of the current account. The 1.5% vs 1.4% debate is trivial next to the gulf between 0% and "something".

Frequently asked questions

Can you combine Livret A and Trade Republic?

Yes, and it's the optimal approach. Fill your tax-free regulated accounts first (LEP, Livret A, LDDS), then use a remunerated account like Trade Republic for the surplus cash. The two are complementary, not competitors.

Can the Trade Republic rate fall further?

Yes. It tracks the European Central Bank's key rates and has already fallen from 2.75% to 2%. If the ECB cuts again, remunerated-account yields will follow. The Livret A relies on a State-regulated formula — more stable, but also revised several times a year.