How to open an IG account
Opening an IG account takes five steps: register on IG's site, verify your identity and address, choose an account (CFD, spread betting, share dealing and stocks and shares ISA (plus SIPP and IG Smart Portfolio)), fund it (minimum: No minimum balance required to create a CFD trading account) and pick a platform.
The sign-up form takes minutes; the part that matters is choosing the right IG company and account. Here are the steps with IG's own published conditions at each one.
1. Check which IG company will hold your account
IG holds licences from FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FMA (NZ). The company that opens your account depends on your country of residence, and it decides your leverage and protection. Which IG company opens your account depends on where you live. If you live in the EU, the UK, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, the UAE or Qatar, our link only goes to an IG entity licensed for your country, and where there is none we show no link. We show no sign-up links at all in countries where promoting offshore brokers is not allowed.
2. Register and verify your identity
Register on IG's website or app with your email and phone. Regulated brokers must check your identity and address under anti-money-laundering rules, so IG will ask for documents in its sign-up flow. Verifying before you deposit avoids delays on your first withdrawal.
3. Choose an account type and currency
IG lists: CFD, spread betting, share dealing and stocks and shares ISA (plus SIPP and IG Smart Portfolio). Commission: "Commission-free on MT4 forex". Accounts differ in how they charge you (spread or commission); see the cost per lot calculator.
4. Make your first deposit
Minimum deposit: No minimum balance required to create a CFD trading account. Deposit methods IG lists: Credit card, Debit card, Apple Pay, Bank transfer.
5. Pick a platform and start on demo
IG lists: IG App, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer. Practise there first. IG publishes that 80% of its retail CFD accounts lose money.
Not sure IG is right for you?
Before you choose, put IG next to its closest rivals: IG vs OANDA, IG vs Axi, IG vs FP Markets. Our country pages list IG for South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers from IG's own pages, as quoted above.
How do I open an IG account?
Register on IG's website or app, verify your identity and address, choose an account (CFD, spread betting, share dealing and stocks and shares ISA (plus SIPP and IG Smart Portfolio)), deposit at least No minimum balance required to create a CFD trading account and pick a platform.
Which IG company will hold my account?
It depends on your country. IG holds licences from FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FMA (NZ); each is linked to its register on this page.
Does it matter if I sign up through a link?
No. Our referral link only tells IG who referred you; you get the same account, prices and protection as signing up directly.
Sources
IG's own pages and the regulators' registers, read on 29 Oct 2026. We have not traded at IG; every statement above is what these pages say.
- ig.com/en/cfd-trading
- ig.com/uk/help-and-support/articles/685859-how-do-i-deposit-funds-into-my-account
- ig.com/uk/trading-platforms
- ig.com/en/mt4-trading-with-ig
- ig.com/uk/cfd-trading/cfd-calculator
- ig.com/uk/trading-platforms/metatrader-4
- ig.com/uk/help-and-support/articles/685929-how-do-i-withdraw-funds-from-my-account
- ig.com/uk/pro-margins
- ig.com/uk/about-us
- ig.com/uk/our-charges
- ig.com/uk/client-funds
- ig.com/au
- ig.com/de
- ig.com/sg
- ig.com/za
Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission when you open an account through our links. It never changes a score, a ranking or what we write. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
Forex trading at these brokers is done through CFDs (contracts for difference): you trade on the price moving up or down, without owning the currency itself.Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Read the full risk warning