IG Index
£50 Free Cash
Stocks & Shares ISA or general account£50 to £1,000profit
17mins to complete
Offer overviewChris · Your personal guide
IG offers shares, funds and investment trusts through a Stocks & Shares ISA, general investment account or pension.
You get:
Bonus shares worth £50 to £1,000. 6 in 10 people (60%) get £50 to £62, which is what this guide assumes.
A random US listed stock from IG's list of 26 companies, which includes Apple, Nvidia and Ford. Once credited, they are yours to sell or hold.
Your shares land in your GIA by 28 February 2027, even if you invest through an ISA.
To qualify:
Enter promo code SHARES1K when you create your account.
Open your account by 14 October 2026 and invest £500 or more by 31 October, then keep an average of £500 invested until 31 January 2027.
Submit a W-8BEN form in the IG platform by 31 January 2027, or you could lose your bonus shares. It is a one page US tax form and takes about 2 minutes.
Key terms
Free shares£50
Up to £1,000, randomly allocated
Upfront deposit£500
Free shares arriveBy 28 February 2027
Investment and Cashback Options
Your bonus shares are randomly allocated. We've assumed the minimum (£50) for this guide, but you could receive more. Here are the odds:
| Bonus Amount | Probability |
|---|---|
£50 to £62 (Most Likely) | 60% |
£63 to £97 | 25% |
£98 to £182 | 10% |
£183 to £399 | 4% |
£400 to £1,000 | 1% |
Shares are a random US-listed stock, credited to your GIA by 28 February 2027.
Step by Step Guide
Start here
Sign up to IG
10 mins
- 1Click the button below to open IG via the referral link
- 2Create your account and complete identity verification
- 3Enter promo code SHARES1K when prompted during sign-up
- 4Open a GIA or ISA by 14 October 2026 (a SIPP doesn't count this time)
You must enter promo code SHARES1K during sign-up. If you don't enter it at account creation, you won't qualify for the bonus shares.
Up next · 2 steps
Invest at least £500
5 mins
- 1Deposit and invest at least £500 by 31 October 2026
- 2Invest in shares, ETFs, or funds of your choice
Your net investment (what you buy, minus anything you sell or transfer out) must reach at least £500. Cash left uninvested doesn't count
- 3Submit the one-page W-8BEN form in the IG platform by 31 January 2027, or you could lose the bonus
- 4Keep an average of at least £500 invested from the day you reach £500 until 31 January 2027
A dip below £500 caused only by market movements is fine. Just avoid withdrawing or selling down below £500. Two things that do not count towards the £500: transferring investments in from another platform, and IPO purchases. Even if you invest through an ISA, the bonus shares are paid into your GIA, so make sure you have one open.
Receive your £50 in bonus shares
On 28 Feb2 mins
- Your bonus shares are credited to your GIA by 28 February 2027
You receive a random US-listed stock from IG's list of 26 companies
60% chance of £50 to £62 worth, with a small chance of up to £1,000
If you enjoy using IG, continue investing with them
If not, you can transfer your investments to another platform. IG has no exit fees for ISA or GIA transfers
Even if you invest through an ISA, the bonus shares are always credited to your GIA. Make sure you have a GIA open.
3 steps to £50
Quick review
IG Index
Wondering whether IG Index is worth it beyond the bonus? Here is our honest take.
A serious low-cost home for an ISA or general account if you're happy with a feature-rich platform. Quidsy currently lists two live IG offers, including a sizeable bonus shares promo. Best for buy-and-hold investors. Be aware IG also runs spread betting and CFDs through separate parts of the business.
CategoryInvesting Sign-ups
Last updated
Chris' verdictYour personal guide, QuidsyIG is worth a serious look if you want a low-cost home for an ISA or general investment account, and you're comfortable navigating a feature-rich platform. The combination of zero commission on equity trades and no ongoing platform fees on the ISA and GIA is hard to beat for buy-and-hold investors. Over a long timeframe, those saved fees compound into real money.
I'd be more cautious if you mainly want a SIPP. The pension wrapper has its own admin-fee structure through Options UK, and there are providers with simpler all-in pricing for pensions specifically. I'd also be cautious if you're new to investing. The IG platform was built with experienced traders in mind, and a beginner-focused app like Freetrade or Trading 212 may give you a less intimidating start.
One last thing worth flagging. IG also runs spread betting and CFDs through separate parts of the business. Those products are not what we're recommending here.
If you came for the share dealing offer, stick to the share dealing side. The investment platform is the value.
If IG sounds right for you, the current investment offer above is a sensible way to test the platform with a smaller amount before committing more.
IG Trading and Investments Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 944492). Eligible investments are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person.