Lightyear is one of the investing platforms I genuinely like for European investors. Low fees, clean interface, and a solid selection of stocks and ETFs. If you are thinking about opening an account, you can use my promo code KAI to get a free fractional share worth up to €100 as a welcome bonus.
In this guide I will walk you through how to claim the bonus, what you can realistically expect, and why I think Lightyear is worth considering as your broker.
How to Claim Your Free Share
The process is straightforward. You have two options depending on whether you are signing up fresh or already have an account.
Option 1: Sign Up with the Referral Link
Option 2: Already Signed Up? Add the Code In-App
If you already created an account without a referral link, you can still claim the bonus:
- Open the Lightyear app
- Tap your profile icon and go to Settings
- Select Promotions
- Enter the code KAI
- Deposit at least €100 within the 15-day window
What You Can Realistically Expect
The bonus is a free fractional share in a US-listed stock, valued between €10 and €100. But not everyone gets the full €100. Here is the probability breakdown so you know what to expect going in.
Most people will land in the €10 to €20 range. It is still free money on top of your deposit, so I would not complain. Just know that the €100 headlines represent the upper end, not the typical outcome.
The reward goes to your General Investment Account (GIA) only and has a 6-month holding period before you can withdraw it. The promo is for new users in supported EU countries who complete onboarding and deposit at least €100.
Why I Like Lightyear
Beyond the welcome bonus, Lightyear is genuinely one of the better platforms for European investors who want to keep things simple and costs low. Here is what stands out to me.
Free ETF trading. No commission on any ETF purchase. If you are building a long-term portfolio around index funds, this is a real advantage. Fund manager fees still apply, but the trading itself costs nothing.
Low stock trading fees. EU stocks cost €1 per order, and US stocks are capped at $1 per order (0.1% with a $0.10 minimum). That is very competitive compared to most European brokers.
Multi-currency accounts. You can hold EUR, USD, and GBP in separate pockets. This means you avoid double-conversion fees when buying US or UK stocks, and the FX fee itself is just 0.35% on the interbank rate.
Savings Vaults. Lightyear offers access to AAA-rated BlackRock Money Market Funds where you can park uninvested cash and earn interest benchmarked to central bank rates. Available in EUR, USD, and GBP with same or next-day liquidity.
Fractional shares and recurring investments. You can invest from small amounts and set up weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly recurring buys. Combined with the Plans feature, you can create goal-based mini-portfolios with automated contributions.
Lightyear Fees at a Glance
For context, many traditional European brokers charge €5 to €15 per trade plus higher FX fees. Lightyear is genuinely on the cheaper end, especially for beginners building their first portfolio.
Who Is Lightyear Best For
- Free ETF trading, no commission
- $1/€1/£1 max for stock trades
- Multi-currency account (EUR, USD, GBP)
- Competitive 0.35% FX fee
- Fractional shares for stocks and ETFs
- Savings Vaults with competitive interest
- Clean, beginner-friendly app and web platform
- Recurring investments and Plans feature
- Limited to stocks and ETFs only (no options, CFDs, or forex)
- No advanced charting tools or level 2 data
- Not built for active day trading
- EU investor protection capped at €20,000
Lightyear is a strong fit for beginners and cost-conscious long-term investors who want a straightforward platform for stocks and ETFs. If you are mainly buying index funds or building a diversified portfolio over time, it does the job well at a low cost.
It is less suited if you need options trading, advanced charting, or a platform designed for frequent day trading. For those use cases, something like Interactive Brokers would be a better fit.
Invite Friends for Extra Rewards
Once your account is set up, you get your own referral link. For each friend who signs up and deposits, both of you receive a €10 fractional share. You can refer up to 5 people per month, which means an extra €50 in free stock each month just for sharing your link.
Other Welcome Bonuses Worth Considering
If you like stacking sign-up bonuses, Trading 212 also offers a free fractional share worth up to €100, and you only need to deposit €1 to qualify. I use both platforms and they each have their strengths. You can read more in my Trading 212 beginner's guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your free fractional share typically appears within 24 to 48 hours after your deposit clears. It will show up directly in your General Investment Account.
No. The reward has a 6-month holding period. After that, you can sell the share and withdraw the cash if you want.
Yes. Lightyear lets you pick from a selection of available shares when claiming your reward.
Lightyear Europe AS is regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority. EU investors are covered by the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund for up to €20,000. Client assets are held separately from company funds.
No. There is no monthly account fee. You only pay trading commissions and FX fees when you make transactions.
Disclaimer: Capital at risk. Lightyear Europe AS is authorised and regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority. This promotion is subject to terms and conditions: lightyear.com/signup-promotion-terms. Valid for new users who complete onboarding and deposit at least €100. The reward can be withdrawn 6 months after it is credited. This article contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you sign up through them, at no additional cost to you. This is not financial advice.
