

An ISA transfer is the ability to move assets from one ISA to another, without losing the tax benefits. Brokers need to let you move your ISA freely, though there may be some limitations.
If we offer the stocks you’re looking to transfer, you can transfer them without selling. If not, you can either sell the stocks and transfer as cash, or leave them with your current provider, assuming your current provider allows this. We will reach out to discuss your options if one of your stocks cannot be transferred.
Cash ISA: up to four weeks
Stocks and shares ISA: up to six weeks
Different things can impact how a transfer progresses, so it can vary.
Shares can only be transferred into your ISA with Freetrade if they are currently held in an ISA elsewhere.
When you instruct the transfer, we ask your current provider to send us a valuation of the assets you hold with them. Once this has been received, we will review what can and cannot be transferred to Freetrade. We will then contact you if anything needs to be sold and transferred as cash.
It may not be possible to transfer in certain non-UK securities due to ISA rules. We cannot currently accept transfers of stocks listed on European exchanges. These positions will have to be sold and transferred as cash. With cash transfers, you are not invested, so may miss out on market ups and downs during your transfer.
If applicable, sale instructions are made, and for instruments transferring in-specie, trade and settlement dates are requested. In-specie means that the instruments are being transferred as stock, rather than cash. If applicable, sale instructions are made, and for instruments transferring in-specie, trade and settlement dates are requested. In-specie means that the instruments are being transferred as stock, rather than cash. On the trade date, both providers input the transfers into the market. Your shares will be transferred and available in your Freetrade ISA from the settlement date, which is usually 1-2 days later. Following settlement, any cash balances are sent to us, alongside completion documents.
If you are transferring an ISA from previous years, you can fully or partially transfer your holdings. Current year subscriptions are not able to be split, so it must be transferred in full.
No, transferring an ISA keeps investments in the tax wrapper, and so will not count further toward your allowance.
No, you cannot directly transfer your stocks and shares ISA to a SIPP. You could sell your ISA holdings and then buy them back in a SIPP, much like a bed and ISA.
There is no ideal time to transfer an ISA. The end or beginning of a tax year may mean the process takes longer as more people are thinking about their ISAs at that time.
You can transfer your ISA as many times as you like. There are no limits.
ISAs can be inherited by your spouse but you must have been married to them or in a civil partnership with them. This is done via an inherited ISA allowance.
Your children can inherit your ISA holdings but the ISA will not retain its tax-efficient status if they do.
Inheritance tax is a complex subject and ISAs are no exception. If you are interested in learning more about the subject then it’s worth speaking to a financial advisor before you make any big decisions. Please remember tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
Yes, once you sell any shares you hold then you can withdraw the cash.
The Freetrade ISA is flexible, meaning you can withdraw money during the tax year and put it back without impacting your annual £20,000 allowance. Learn more about how flexible ISAs work.
Not all ISAs are flexible, so be careful when withdrawing from ISAs you hold elsewhere as you may lose that part of your allowance.
The Freetrade app makes it clear how much you’ve added to your ISA in the current tax year, and it highlights your flexible withdrawals. Remember, it’s up to you to make sure you don’t exceed your allowance.
It’s free to transfer to Freetrade.
If you decide to leave Freetrade, you can transfer out UK or US securities as cash or stock. At the moment, to transfer any non-UK or non-US securities away from Freetrade, you will have to sell them first and transfer the amount as cash. When you transfer as cash you’ll be out of the market, so you may miss out on the ups and downs during your transfer.
Stocks can only be transferred as whole shares. If you wish to transfer a fraction of a share, you will have to sell it first and transfer the amount as cash.
There is no fee to transfer out UK securities or cash. Transferring out US securities will incur a cost of £17 per holding. We charge this amount to cover the fee our service provider charges us.
Your new provider may not be able to accept transfers of all securities you hold with Freetrade. It’s worth checking if they can support your stocks before you start your transfer.
Your future broker can send an electronic transfer request to us at:
transfers@freetrade.io.
General investment account
Stocks and shares ISA
Commission-free investing in 6,500+ UK, US, and European stocks, ETFs, and more
FX fee of 0.59% on non-GBP trades
3% AER on up to £2k uninvested cash (changing to 2.5% on up to £2k from 1 January 2026)
General investment account
Stocks and shares ISA
Personal pension (SIPP)
Commission-free investing in 6,500+ UK, US, and European stocks, ETFs, and more
FX fee of 0.39% on non-GBP trades
5% AER on up to £3k uninvested cash (changing to 3.5% on up to £3k from 1 January 2026)
General investment account
Stocks and shares ISA
Commission-free investing in 6,500+ UK, US, and European stocks, ETFs, and more
FX fee of 0.59% on non-GBP trades
3% AER on up to £2k uninvested cash (changing to 2.5% on up to £2k from 1 January 2026)
General investment account
Stocks and shares ISA
Personal pension (SIPP)
Commission-free investing in 6,500+ UK, US, and European stocks, ETFs, and more
FX fee of 0.39% on non-GBP trades
5% AER on up to £3k uninvested cash (changing to 3.5% on up to £3k from 1 January 2026)
