IG UK Free Shares: Get Up to £300 in UK Shares When You Invest £300 (2026)

IG UK is offering new investors a free share bundle worth £40 to £300 in UK-listed shares when they invest at least £300. Unlike previous one-month promos, this welcome bonus runs all the way through to 31 December 2026 and is available to new clients opening a Share Dealing Account, ISA, or SIPP. Use promo code WELCOME300 when signing up to qualify.

Our Verdict

The new WELCOME300 offer replaces last year's FS500 free shares promo, and on balance it is a more accessible bonus for the typical UK investor. The minimum investment drops to £300 (down from £500), the shares awarded are UK-listed (so no W-8BEN tax form to complete), and the promotion runs all the way through to 31 December 2026 rather than a single month.

The trade-off is that the maximum bundle is now £300 rather than £500. That said, the bottom of the range starts at £40 on a £300 investment, which is still a useful kicker for anyone who was already considering opening an account with IG. As with all bundle promotions, the exact share value is randomly allocated, so there is a luck element involved. Even at the low end, getting £40 in free shares on a £300 deposit is a 13% return before any market movement.

The three-calendar-month holding period is reasonable. You only need to maintain a £300 average, not a perfect daily balance, which gives you flexibility to rebalance or adjust positions during that window. If you were already considering IG as your broker, the welcome bonus is a clean addition with no awkward mechanics.

How It Works

Open a new IG share dealing account between 16 March and 31 December 2026 and enter promo code WELCOME300 during sign-up. You can choose a General Investment Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, or SIPP. Once your account is open, invest a minimum of £300 in net trades by the end of the same calendar month as your first trade.

The value of your free share bundle is randomly allocated between £40 and £300 in UK-listed shares. To qualify, you need to maintain an average of £300 invested for three full calendar months after the month of your first trade. Your free shares are then credited to your General Investment Account, regardless of which IG account type you opened.

Important Requirements

• Must be a new IG client (no existing IG share dealing account)
• Use promo code WELCOME300 when signing up
• Open your account between 16 March and 31 December 2026
• Invest a minimum of £300 in net trades by the end of the same calendar month as your first trade
• Maintain an average of £300 invested for three full calendar months after the month of your first trade
• Free shares are UK-listed and credited to your GIA after the holding period
• Valid on GIA, ISA, and SIPP accounts
• Cannot be combined with the IG transfer cashback offer (TRANSFER5000), you can only use one
• UK residents aged 18 and over only

IG Platform Features

Beyond this welcome bonus, IG is one of the most established investment platforms in the UK with over 50 years of trading history. The share dealing platform offers commission-free trading on UK and US shares and ETFs, no platform or custody charges, and access to over 17,000 instruments across global markets. IG is FCA regulated and listed on the London Stock Exchange.

IG also pays 3.75% AER variable interest on uninvested GBP cash, on balances up to £100,000 across your GIA, ISA, and SIPP combined. To earn the interest, you need to either hold an open share position or place at least one buy or sell trade during the month. Only settled GBP cash earns interest.

Other IG Offers and Reviews

IG runs several promotions for new and existing clients. Here are some other IG articles you may find useful:

• IG UK Offers Hub: Welcome Bonus and Transfer Cashback
• IG Transfer Cashback: Up to £5,000
• IG Zero Spread on FTSE 100 Shares
• IG Crypto Trading UK Review

Looking for more broker promotions? Check out our full list of broker bonuses or use BrokerMatch to find the best broker for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What promo code do I need for the IG welcome bonus?

You need to use promo code WELCOME300 when signing up for a new IG share dealing account. The offer runs from 16 March to 31 December 2026.

How much do I need to invest to get free shares from IG?

You need to invest a minimum of £300 in net trades by the end of the same calendar month as your first trade. You then need to maintain an average of £300 invested for three full calendar months.

What shares will I receive from the IG WELCOME300 promotion?

You will receive a randomly allocated bundle of UK-listed shares worth between £40 and £300. The exact value is determined randomly by IG. Because the shares are UK-listed, no W-8BEN tax form is required.

When will I receive my free shares from IG?

Your free shares are credited to your General Investment Account (GIA) after you complete the three-month holding period, provided you have maintained the average £300 minimum throughout. The shares always go to a GIA, regardless of which IG account type you opened.

Can I use WELCOME300 alongside the IG transfer cashback offer?

No, the two offers cannot be combined. IG clients can only take advantage of the offer they begin participating in first. If you are transferring an existing portfolio, the TRANSFER5000 offer is likely the better fit. If you are starting fresh with new money, WELCOME300 is the right choice.

Which account types qualify for the welcome bonus?

The promotion is available on a General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA, or Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). The free shares are always credited to your GIA, regardless of which account type you originally opened.