Trade Republic, the German investment app, has caught the attention of many Bulgarian investors thanks to its interest on uninvested cash, its modern app and its low fees. Since Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, many investors are also looking for euro-based investment platforms.
Is Trade Republic available in Bulgaria, and what are the best alternatives for Bulgarian investors? Let’s find out.
Is Trade Republic available in Bulgaria? 🇧🇬
No, Trade Republic is not available in Bulgaria yet (October 2026).
Trade Republic keeps expanding in Europe, with Poland added in September 2025, but it hasn’t publicly announced any plans to launch in Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s move to the euro removes one of the practical barriers, since Trade Republic runs euro-denominated accounts, but the company has not commented on a Bulgarian launch.
When we tried to open an account, Bulgaria appeared as an unsupported country:
Trade Republic is not available in Bulgaria
Where is Trade Republic available? 🌎
Trade Republic is currently available in 18 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
You can see the full picture in our article on where Trade Republic is available.
Trade Republic alternatives in Bulgaria
- Interactive Brokers: Best for experienced investors
- eToro: Best for social trading and commission-free ETFs
- Trading 212*: The closest alternative, with a promo code offer for new users
*Sponsored Link: To get a free fractional share worth up to €100, you can open an account with Trading 212 through our sponsored link or with the promo code “IITW”. The value is random: there is an 80% chance it is worth €8 to €25, 15% for €25.01 to €50, 3% for €50.01 to €75 and 2% for €75.01 to €100. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
52% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Capital at Risk. Sponsored Link. To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR/GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link. Terms apply.
Conclusion
If you were hoping to open a Trade Republic account from Bulgaria, it is not currently possible. The alternatives above should serve Bulgarian investors well, though.
Interactive Brokers is one of the most established brokers in the world, with access to 170 markets in 40 countries, low currency conversion costs and interest on cash. It suits experienced investors who value low costs on larger portfolios and professional tools.
eToro suits beginners and social investors. ETFs have no commission, stocks cost $1 per trade on most exchanges, and its CopyTrader feature lets you copy other investors automatically.
Trading 212, founded in Bulgaria in 2004, offers no commission on stocks and ETFs (other fees may apply, see terms and fees), fractional shares, Pies & AutoInvest and interest on uninvested cash, and you can try it first in practice mode. Bulgarian clients are served by Trading 212 Markets Ltd, regulated by CySEC. A 0.15% FX fee applies when converting funds. Other fees may apply.
A few points worth carrying into your decision:
- Currency: since Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, you can fund all three brokers in EUR without a conversion fee on deposits. You only pay a conversion fee when you buy assets priced in other currencies, such as US stocks.
- Regulation: none of these brokers is licensed by Bulgaria’s Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) directly, but they passport into Bulgaria under MiFID II (the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive). Check which entity holds your account and what investor compensation covers you, typically up to €20,000.
- Tax reporting: foreign brokers don’t withhold Bulgarian tax, so declaring investment income to the National Revenue Agency (NRA) falls to you.
How Bulgarian investors are taxed on shares and ETFs
Bulgaria has one of the simplest tax regimes in the EU for investors, according to PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries:
- Exempt gains: gains on shares and other securities sold on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange or on a regulated market in the EU or EEA are tax-exempt. Since 2021, the exemption also covers equivalent markets in some third countries.
- Other gains: taxable gains are taxed at a flat 10% on the net annual result, after offsetting losses.
- Dividends: dividends from Bulgarian and foreign companies are taxed at 5%, with credit for tax already withheld abroad.
Because the exemption depends on where the sale takes place, keep records of the exchange used for each trade.
Whether you value reputation or a no-commission app, these alternatives are a good starting point. Explore their websites and decide for yourself.
If none of them suits you, check our comparison of online brokers available by country.
Risk disclaimer: When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
FAQs
What is Trade Republic?
Founded in 2015 in Germany, Trade Republic is an investment app and bank that lets you invest in stocks, ETFs, bonds, derivatives and crypto, including through free savings plans. According to its website, it has over 10 million customers and more than €150 billion in customer assets (September 2026). Trade Republic holds a German banking licence and is supervised by BaFin and the Bundesbank. Cash deposits are protected up to €100,000 by the German deposit guarantee scheme, and your securities are held separately from Trade Republic’s own assets.
How does Trade Republic make money?
As economists like to say, “there is no such thing as a free lunch”. Until 30 June 2026, Trade Republic earned a large part of its income from payment for order flow (PFOF), where market makers pay brokers to route client orders to them. This created a potential conflict of interest, and PFOF made up about a third of Trade Republic’s income.
Since the EU-wide ban on PFOF took effect on 30 June 2026, Trade Republic has changed its model. Its main sources of income now include:
- Order execution: Trade Republic now executes most orders itself as the counterparty (Best Price), earning from the bid-ask spread.
- Transaction fees: €1 per Best Price order, or €2 if you choose the trading venue yourself (Direct Price). Savings plans are free.
- Interest income: as a bank, it earns interest on the cash its clients hold, part of which it pays out to them.
- Card and other services: fees and revenue from its card and other services.
Can I use Trade Republic from Bulgaria with an address in another country?
Only if you are genuinely resident in one of Trade Republic’s supported countries. When you open an account, Trade Republic asks for proof of residence and tax details, so you can’t simply use a VPN or a foreign address to sign up from Bulgaria.
What is the closest alternative to Trade Republic in Bulgaria?
Trading 212 is the closest alternative, with a simple app, fractional shares, automated investing through Pies & AutoInvest and interest on uninvested cash. New users can get a free fractional share with our Trading 212 promo code IITW. Terms apply. When investing, your capital is at risk.
