Lightyear
Low FX fees, high cash interest, clean multi-currency investing.
Last reviewed: March 2026
out of 10
Lightyear is a well-designed platform that gets a few things genuinely right: multi-currency accounts, competitive cash interest, and a 0.20% FX fee that beats most of the competition. It's younger and smaller than the established names, but worth considering for investors who move between currencies or want their uninvested cash earning more.
Right for you if…
- Investors who regularly hold multiple currencies and want a proper multi-currency account
- Those who want high interest on uninvested cash (currently 4%+ on EUR)
- Investors in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and other smaller EU markets with limited broker options
Not right if…
- Investors who need fractional shares
- Those wanting the widest ETF and exchange coverage
Fee Breakdown
ETFs excluded
For a pure ETF investor holding EUR-denominated funds, Lightyear costs nothing annually — no custody fee on ETFs, no commissions, no inactivity fees. The 0.1% stock custody fee only matters if you hold individual stocks.
0.25% of €2,400 invested/year at Lightyear
Pros and Cons
What works
0.20% FX conversion fee — lower than DEGIRO and eToro, competitive with Trading 212
4%+ interest on uninvested EUR — among the highest available
Proper multi-currency account — hold and invest in EUR, USD, GBP, SEK without forced conversion
Commission-free ETFs and stocks
Clean, well-designed mobile app
What doesn't
No fractional shares — must buy whole ETF units
Smaller platform — fewer users, less community, less track record than established names
0.1% annual custody fee on stock positions (not ETFs)
Product range and exchange access narrower than DEGIRO or IBKR
Safety & Regulation
Regulated by the FCA in the UK and EFSA in Estonia. Client assets are segregated. UK users have £85,000 FSCS protection. EU users covered up to €20,000.
Platform Experience
Mobile-first design, clean and modern. Multi-currency functionality is better than most platforms in its class. Research tools are minimal — it's a clean execution platform, not an analytical one.
Tax Reporting
Annual statements available. Tax reporting quality is reasonable but not the most comprehensive — check your jurisdiction's requirements before relying solely on Lightyear's output.
Available In
Lightyear FAQ
Regulated by the FCA in the UK and EFSA in Estonia. Client assets are segregated. UK users have £85,000 FSCS protection. EU users covered up to €20,000.
For a pure ETF investor holding EUR-denominated funds, Lightyear costs nothing annually — no custody fee on ETFs, no commissions, no inactivity fees. The 0.1% stock custody fee only matters if you hold individual stocks.
Lightyear is available in: NL, DE, FR, ES, BE, IT, SE, AT, PT, EE, LV, LT. Availability may change — check Lightyear's website for the latest.
Investors who regularly hold multiple currencies and want a proper multi-currency account. Those who want high interest on uninvested cash (currently 4%+ on EUR). Investors in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and other smaller EU markets with limited broker options.
How It Compares
Open a Lightyear account
Regulated broker. Takes 5–10 minutes to sign up.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you
This review reflects Etfora's editorial assessment based on publicly available fee data. Fees may change — verify current rates on Lightyear's website before opening an account. Not financial advice.