In short
- Many FCA brokers have no minimum deposit; others ask for £100–£250.
- Minimums can differ by payment method.
- What matters more is having enough to risk 1% per trade with a sensible stop.
Minimum deposits at brokers we list
| Broker | Minimum deposit | FCA FRN |
|---|---|---|
| Hantec Markets | $100 | 502635 |
| Pepperstone | None | 684312 |
| IG | £0 by bank transfer; £250 card/PayPal | 195355 |
| CMC Markets | None | 173730 |
| XTB | None | 522157 |
| Spreadex | None | 190941 |
Checked October 2026 — confirm on each broker's website.
What "no minimum" really means
A broker without a minimum deposit still needs enough in your account to cover the margin on any trade you open. A micro lot (1,000 units) of GBP/USD needs roughly £33 of margin at 30:1 — so in practice you need at least that, plus a buffer.
How much should you actually deposit?
Work backwards from risk. If you want to risk 1% per trade with a 20-pip stop on micro lots (about 10p per pip on EUR/GBP), a single micro-lot trade risks £2 — which means a balance of about £200 for 1% risk. Smaller balances push you towards risking far more than 1% per trade.
| Balance | 1% risk | Realistic position (20-pip stop, EUR/GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| £100 | £1 | Below one micro lot — too small |
| £250 | £2.50 | ≈ 0.01 lot |
| £1,000 | £10 | 0.05 lots |
Things to check before a small deposit
- Minimum trade size (0.01 lots is standard on MetaTrader)
- Deposit and withdrawal fees, which hurt more on small balances
- Inactivity fees if you'll trade occasionally
- Base currency — a GBP account avoids conversion charges
Forex brokers with a $1, $5 or $10 minimum deposit
Many searches look for brokers with a $1, $5 or $10 minimum deposit. Several FCA brokers go further and set no minimum at all — Pepperstone, CMC Markets, XTB and Spreadex, and IG for bank transfers. In practice, the margin for even a micro lot means you'll need more than $10 to place a sensible trade.
Cent accounts
A cent account shows your balance in cents, letting you trade tiny positions. Cent accounts are mostly offered by brokers' offshore entities rather than FCA-authorised ones. UK brokers usually offer micro lots (0.01) instead, which achieve a similar result with full FCA protection.
No-deposit bonuses
"Forex brokers with no deposit bonus" or "100% deposit bonus" offers aren't available from FCA brokers to retail clients — incentives are banned. See why FCA brokers can't offer bonuses.
Frequently asked questions
Which forex brokers have no minimum deposit in the UK?
Among the brokers we list, Pepperstone, CMC Markets, XTB and Spreadex don't set a minimum, and IG has none for bank transfers. Hantec Markets' minimum for UK clients is $100.
Can I trade forex with £50?
Technically yes with micro lots, but a tiny balance leaves little room for losses and encourages over-leverage.
Are there forex brokers with a $1 minimum deposit in the UK?
Several FCA brokers have no minimum deposit at all, so $1 is technically possible. Realistically you need enough to cover margin and a sensible stop-loss.
Do UK brokers offer cent accounts?
Cent accounts are mainly offered by offshore entities. FCA brokers typically offer micro lots of 0.01 instead.
CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products. You should consider whether you understand how they work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.