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Trade Republic is launching a card that “gives you 1% back on your purchases” and everyone’s eyes light up: free cashback for spending? Well, yes and no. That 1% exists, but it doesn’t come back to you as cash to spend: it’s invested. It’s called Saveback and, properly understood, it’s quite a clever idea. Misunderstood, you’ll be disappointed. Let’s take a clear look at it.

What is the Trade Republic card?

It’s a debit card (Visa) linked to your Trade Republic account. You pay with the money you have in the account, like any debit card, and it can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay. It’s already available in the Netherlands and in the other countries where Trade Republic operates.

It has no monthly fee. The virtual card is free; for the physical card, there might be a small one-off delivery cost, which you’ll see in the app when you order it.

Saveback: the “cashback” that is actually an investment

Here’s the clever part and the small print at the same time. Every time you pay with the card, Trade Republic gives you back 1% of the purchase… but not as cash: that money is automatically invested in the savings plan (an ETF or share that you choose). In other words, you spend and, without thinking, you put something into your investment portfolio.

The important figures:

• The Saveback is 1% when paying with your account balance (and up to 2% if you pay with crypto).
• It has a cap of €15 per month with a normal balance, which equates to around €1,500 in monthly spending. Beyond that, it doesn’t add more.
• To receive it, you must have an active savings plan of at least €50 per month. If you don’t invest those €50 in a given month, there will be no Saveback that month.
• The accumulated amount is invested on the 2nd day of the following month.

Translated: it’s not money to spend, it’s a way for your day-to-day purchases to fuel your long-term investment almost without you noticing.

Round-Up: the rounding that invests your cents

In addition to Saveback, the card comes with Round-Up: it rounds up each purchase to the nearest euro and invests the difference. If you have a coffee for €2.40, it rounds up to €3 and invests the €0.60. And you can add a multiplier (x2, x3…) if you want to speed it up. They are cents, but added up throughout the year, they do their job.

Fees

• No monthly fee for having the card.
• Withdrawing money from a cash machine: free for withdrawals of €100 or more; below €100, there is a €1 charge. Applies worldwide.
• Payments in other currencies: as it’s a Visa card, it uses the network’s exchange rate without any additional Trade Republic charge.

Is it worth it?

It depends on how you look at it. If you already invest in Trade Republic (or plan to) and are going to put €50 a month into a savings plan anyway, Saveback is extra money that comes in automatically: up to €180 per year invested effortlessly. It makes perfect sense.

If you were looking for classic cashback to spend, this is not your card: the money remains invested and you don’t touch it until you sell. And if you don’t want to commit to investing €50 every month, it’s not worth it for you, because without that, there’s no Saveback.

If you want to first understand how investing with this broker works, I explain it in investing in the stock market with Trade Republic, and if you’re starting from scratch, in how to invest from the Netherlands with little money.

→ Open a Trade Republic account

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Trade Republic cashback money I can spend?

No. The 1% (Saveback) is invested in your savings plan; it’s not returned to you as cash. You get it back when you sell that investment.

How much can I earn per month?

Up to €15 per month when paying with your balance (spending around €1,500), or up to €30 if you pay with crypto. That’s the limit; beyond that, it doesn’t add more.

What happens if I don’t invest the €50 in a month?

That month you won’t receive Saveback. The condition is to have an active savings plan of at least €50 per month.

Does the card have a cost?

There is no monthly fee. The virtual card is free; the physical one might have a small one-off delivery cost. Withdrawing from a cash machine is free for amounts of €100 or more (€1 below that).

Do you already use the Trade Republic card? Tell us how Saveback is working for you in the comments.