What is a stocks and shares Junior ISA?

The Freetrade stocks and shares Junior ISA (JISA) is a tax-efficient investing account you can open on behalf of your child under 16. The money is held in the child's name and is intended for the child's future. You can invest in a wide variety of assets like funds, stocks, ETFs, bonds, and more. You don't pay UK tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains inside the account.

What types of Junior ISA are there?

There are two types: A cash Junior ISA, which lets you save cash for your child and earns interest like a savings account, and a stocks and shares Junior ISA, which lets you invest for your child. Your child can have one of both types of Junior ISA, but not more than one of each type with different providers. Freetrade offers a stocks and shares Junior ISA.

Can one child have both a cash Junior ISA and a stocks and shares Junior ISA?

Yes! A child can hold one of each type simultaneously, but the annual allowance applies across both per relevant tax year. So you could pay £4,500 into the child's cash JISA and another £4,500 into the child's stocks and shares JISA, for a total annual contribution of £9,000 for the whole tax year.

Can one child have more than one stocks and shares Junior ISA at a time?

No. A child can only have one stocks and shares JISA at a time. This means that if your child has a stocks and shares JISA with another provider, and you then open a Freetrade JISA, you must choose to transfer the existing one fully to Freetrade as part of the account opening process.

What is the annual contribution limit for a Junior ISA?

For the current tax year, you can invest up to £9,000 in total across all Junior ISAs the child has. So you could pay £4,500 into the child's cash JISA and another £4,500 into the child's stocks and shares JISA, for a total annual contribution of £9,000.

Can I contribute regularly or one-off sums to a Junior ISA?

Yes! If you want, you can set up regular contributions using a Direct Debit and recurring orders. You can also choose to make one-off top ups, as long as the total stays within the annual limit.

Is a Junior ISA the same as my (adult) ISA allowance?

No. A child's Junior ISA allowance is separate from an adult's ISA allowance. Paying into a child's Junior ISA doesn't impact your own ISA allowance.

Can I carry over an unused Junior ISA allowance from a previous tax year?

No, you cannot carry over or use an unused JISA allowance from a previous tax year. JISA allowances operate on a 'use it or lose it' basis. If you do not top up the full amount permitted under the allowance by 5 April, the remaining allowance is lost forever and does not add to the next year's limit.

What's meant by registered contact (RC) and beneficiary in the context of a Junior ISA?

The term registered contact (RC) refers to the parent or guardian who opens and manages the JISA. The term beneficiary refers to the child for whom the account has been opened and to whom the money in the JISA legally belongs.

Can a grandparent open a Junior ISA?

Grandparents cannot directly open a Junior ISA for a grandchild unless they have legal guardianship, as this role is restricted to parents or guardians.

What happens to a Junior ISA when the child turns 18?

When your child turns 18, their Freetrade Junior ISA will be converted into a Freetrade stocks and shares ISA and your child will be asked to complete the relevant paperwork. Once the account is converted, the child will gain full access to their investments and savings. They can continue to invest, transfer the ISA somewhere else, or withdraw their money in part or in full.

Is a Junior ISA the same as a Child Trust Fund?

No, a Junior ISA is not the same as a Child Trust Fund. The Child Trust Fund scheme is now closed, but you can transfer your child's Child Trust Fund in full to a Freetrade stocks and shares Junior JISA.

Can I transfer a Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA?

Yes, you can transfer a Child Trust Fund to a Freetrade Junior ISA. The good news is: transfers don't use up the annual allowance.

Does the child need a National Insurance number to open a Junior ISA?

A National Insurance number isn't necessary to open a Junior ISA. However, if the child has a National Insurance number, you will need to provide it when opening the account.

What can I invest in with Freetrade's stocks and shares Junior ISA?

Once you've opened a Junior ISA as the parent or legal guardian of a child, you can decide where to invest. With Freetrade, you can choose from over 7,000 global equities, funds, ETFs, investment trusts, and bonds. You'll be able to trade anything that is available in an ISA.

Is investing in a stocks and shares Junior ISA risky?

All investments carry risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than invested. Investing over the long-term increases the likelihood of positive returns compared with holding cash.

Are there any fees for a Junior ISA with Freetrade?

Freetrade doesn't charge any commission fees, holding fees, or account fees for investing in a JISA. The JISA is available on all Freetrade plans, including our free Basic plan.

Can I transfer a Junior ISA to Freetrade from another provider?

Yes, you can transfer a Junior ISA to Freetrade from another provider. Transfers don't use up any of the annual allowance. Remember: a child can only have one cash JISA and one stocks and shares JISA at a time.

Who owns the money in a Junior ISA?

The money belongs to the child from day one. You manage it as the registered contact, but legally it's the child's money.

Can I withdraw the money in a Junior ISA early?

No. Money held in a JISA cannot be withdrawn before the child turns 18, except in rare circumstances such as where the child is terminally ill or in the event the child passes away.

Are Junior ISAs tax-free?

Growth and income inside a Junior ISA are free from UK income and capital gains tax. Tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and current rules may change.

Can anyone make payments or contributions into a Freetrade Junior ISA?

No, only the registered contact can make payments into the child's Junior ISA. Note that if you make a payment to a Freetrade Junior ISA, this is treated as a gift to the child. This means that the payment is non-refundable if the person who made the payment changes their mind at a later date.

Is there a minimum payment amount which you can make to a Freetrade Junior ISA?

You can top up your Freetrade Junior ISA with as little as £1.

Can I cancel a Freetrade Junior ISA?

You can cancel a Freetrade Junior ISA within 14 days from when you open it. During the 14 day cancellation period, any payments made to the JISA are non-refundable however we will facilitate a transfer to another provider.

Will my child get their own login details to view their Junior ISA directly?

No, your child won't have their own login details to access the Junior ISA. The account is managed by the registered contact until the child turns 18. At age 18, the Junior ISA will automatically convert into an adult ISA. When this happens, you will no longer be the registered contact of the account and will lose access to the account. Your child will then be able to set up their own login and take full control of the account.

Why move a Junior ISA to the same provider as my ISA and pension?

For many families, it's simply easier. Keeping your child's Junior ISA alongside your own ISA and pension can reduce admin and give you a clearer view of your household's long-term investing. Plus, with Freetrade, kids go free. And so do you. Pay no account fees or commission fees on Freetrade's Junior ISA, ISA, or pension.

Will my child earn interest on any uninvested cash in their Junior ISA?

Yes! They will have their own cash interest limit that matches whatever subscription plan you, as the registered contact, are on. This will be separate to any cash interest that you, as a Freetrade account holder, earn on your GIA, ISA, and SIPP. Cash interest will be paid into their Junior ISA on the 11th working day of every month. Like any other money in a Junior ISA, it cannot be withdrawn before the child turns 18.

Why can't I open a Freetrade Junior ISA for my 16 or 17 year old?

At the moment, you can't open a Freetrade Junior ISA for a child aged 16 or 17. This is due to additional features and operational requirements for opening JISAs at these ages, which we don't currently support. If your child already has a Freetrade Junior ISA, you can continue to manage it as usual when they turn 16. When your child turns 18, their Freetrade Junior ISA will automatically convert into a Freetrade stocks and shares ISA.

Stocks and shares Junior ISA

Junior ISA for your child’s future

Because their future deserves more than a piggy bank.

Set them up for adulthood. Whether that’s education, travel, or their first home. No commission. No account fees.

Open a JISA

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Capital at risk. Other charges and JISA rules apply. Tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and current rules may change.

JISA at a glance

Give your child a head start

A stocks and shares JISA is an investment account designed for children under 16, allowing parents or guardians to invest up to £9,000 annually on the child's behalf.

Save on tax: Invest up to £9,000 each tax year, free from UK income and capital gains tax.‍
Save on fees: £0 account fees. £0 commission fees. With Freetrade, kids go free. And so do you.
‍Save on time: Your family’s finances, all in one place. Simple tools to build good habits, early.

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For more info, see our Junior ISA terms and conditions and Under 18s privacy Notice.

Reasons to open a Freetrade JISA

£0 account fee

A JISA is included with all our plans, even the free Basic plan.

Commission-free dealing

Unlimited free trades and low FX fees, so your money goes further.

Easy to use

Manage your portfolio with ease on iOS, Android, or from your web browser.

8,200+ investment choices

Choose from global stocks, funds, ETFs, bonds, and more. Get started quickly with ready-made portfolios.

Support

Fast, friendly customer support when you need it.

Intuitive tools for easy management

Automate your investing with recurring orders and Direct Debits.

Unlimited growth potential

Don’t put a cap on your child’s future by limiting them to a fixed interest rate.

With a Freetrade stocks and shares JISA, your child’s money is invested in the market. Giving it the potential to grow over time.

Investing over the long-term increases the likelihood of positive returns compared with holding cash. But unlike cash savings, investments can rise and fall in value, and your child could get back less than you put in.

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Value for Money Winner 2026 by Boring Money

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JISA fees and charges

Build a nest egg without growing your fees. A Junior ISA is available on all Freetrade plans.

Junior ISA (JISA)

Shares dealing

Fund dealing

FX Rate

£0

‎

0.99%

£0

Online

£0

Online

0.99%

From 1 March

£14.99/mo

Plus plan

£3.99

PER TRADE

£1.49

PER TRADE

0.75%

0.25%

Account charge

£5

PER TRADE

£1.50

PER TRADE

0.75%

Comparison disclosure

Comparisons to other providers are based on our understanding of their published costs on their websites as at 23 February 2026, for a portfolio size of £10,000 and trades on shares within a stocks and shares Junior ISA. They are shown for illustrative purposes only. For confirmation of their up to date charges and product information, you should visit their websites.

Hargreaves Lansdown:
As of 1 March 2026, FX charges are tiered at 0.99% on the first £10,000, 0.50% on the next £15,000, and 0.20% above £25,000.

Interactive Investor:
JISA fees follow the Plus plan at £14.99 a month. FX charges are tiered at 0.75% for the first £50,000 and 0.25% above £50,000.

AJ Bell:
‍Charges include a 0.25% annual platform fee on JISA holdings, capped at £2.50. Dealing fees are £5.00 per trade, reducing to £3.50 if 10 or more trades were placed in the previous month. FX charges on overseas trades are tiered at 0.75% on the first £10,000, 0.50% on £10,001–£20,000, and 0.25% above £20,000.

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Mutual funds pool money from investors to buy a mix of assets like stocks or bonds, managed by professionals to match the fund’s goals.

ETFs

Choose from a wide range of exchange-traded funds including index, commodity, and bond ETFs from providers like Vanguard, iShares, Invesco, and more.

Investment trusts

Choose from hundreds of investment trusts across a wide range of sectors, geographical areas, and markets worldwide.

UK Treasury bills

Earn a fixed yield on your cash with T-bills. Low-risk and backed by the UK government. Rate subject to success in tender.

Ready-made portfolios

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Learning hub

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March 27, 2026

What is a Junior ISA (JISA) and how does it work?

Find out about Junior ISAs, their £9,000 allowance, who can open one, and when it can be accessed.

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March 30, 2026

A complete guide to the Junior ISA allowance

Find out the Junior ISA allowance, how to make the most of it, and what happens if you put too much into a JISA.

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March 31, 2026

How to open a Junior ISA: A complete guide

You can open a Junior ISA online in just a few steps. Find out about eligibility, age limits, and the documents you will need to open an account with Freetrade.

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March 31, 2026

How to transfer a Junior ISA

Transferring a Junior ISA can be accomplished in just a few steps, whether switching providers, moving a Child Trust Fund, or moving to a stocks and shares JISA.

JISA FAQs

Here you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that's not listed, please contact support.

Junior ISA for your child’s future

Give your child a head start

Reasons to open a Freetrade JISA

Unlimited growth potential

Top-rated provider

Chosen by 1.6 million users

Here’s what ourcustomerssay about us

JISA fees and charges

Choose from thousands of investments

Stocks

Funds

ETFs

Investment trusts

UK Treasury bills

Ready-made portfolios

Learn more

JISA FAQs

What is a stocks and shares Junior ISA?

What types of Junior ISA are there?

Can one child have both a cash Junior ISA and a stocks and shares Junior ISA?

Can one child have more than one stocks and shares Junior ISA at a time?

What is the annual contribution limit for a Junior ISA?

Can I contribute regularly or one-off sums to a Junior ISA?

Is a Junior ISA the same as my (adult) ISA allowance?

Can I carry over an unused Junior ISA allowance from a previous tax year?

What’s meant by registered contact (RC) and beneficiary in the context of a Junior ISA?

Who can open a Freetrade stocks and shares Junior ISA?

Can a grandparent open a Junior ISA?

What happens to a Junior ISA when the child turns 18?

Is a Junior ISA the same as a Child Trust Fund?

Can I transfer a Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA?

How do I transfer a Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA?

Does the child need a National Insurance number to open a Junior ISA?

What can I invest in with Freetrade’s stocks and shares Junior ISA?

What’s a ready-made portfolio?

Is investing in a stocks and shares Junior ISA risky?

Are there any fees for a Junior ISA with Freetrade?

Can I transfer a Junior ISA to Freetrade from another provider?

Who owns the money in a Junior ISA?

Can I withdraw the money in a Junior ISA early?

Are Junior ISAs tax-free?

Can anyone make payments or contributions into a Freetrade Junior ISA?

Is there a minimum payment amount which you can make to a Freetrade Junior ISA?

What happens if you open a JISA for a child and no longer have parental responsibility for the child?

I’ve topped up a Freetrade Junior ISA and changed my mind. Can I withdraw the money?

Will my child get their own login details to view their Junior ISA directly?

Are contributions or transfers to a Junior ISA eligible for 1% cashback as part of the 2026 tax year end offer?

Why move a Junior ISA to the same provider as my ISA and pension?

Will my child earn interest on any uninvested cash in their Junior ISA?

Why can’t I open a Freetrade Junior ISA for my 16 or 17 year old?

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