IG UK Offers 2026: Welcome Bonus and Transfer Cashback Compared
IG UK currently runs two promotions for new investors in 2026: a year-long welcome bonus that pays free UK-listed shares for new money invested, and a tiered transfer cashback worth up to £5,000 for moving an existing portfolio across. The two offers cannot be combined, so the right choice depends on whether you are starting fresh or transferring assets from another broker.
This page summarises both offers side by side so you can pick the one that fits. For full details on each, see the dedicated articles linked below.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | WELCOME300 | TRANSFER5000 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | New money | Existing portfolio |
| Reward | £40 to £300 in UK shares | £100 to £5,000 cashback |
| Minimum | £300 invested | £10,000 transferred |
| Sign-up window | 16 Mar to 31 Dec 2026 | 24 Apr to 31 May 2026 |
| Hold period | 3 calendar months | Until 31 May 2027 |
| Account types | GIA, ISA, SIPP | GIA, ISA, SIPP |
| Eligibility | New IG clients | New IG clients |
WELCOME300 in Detail
The WELCOME300 welcome bonus rewards new investors who open a Share Dealing Account, ISA, or SIPP and invest at least £300 of new money. You receive a randomly allocated bundle of UK-listed shares worth between £40 and £300, credited to your General Investment Account after a three-month holding period.
The offer runs from 16 March to 31 December 2026, replacing the previous one-month FS500 free shares promo. Because the shares awarded are UK-listed (not US-listed as in earlier promos), there is no W-8BEN tax form to complete. The minimum investment of £300 is also one of the lowest entry points for any UK welcome bonus. For full step-by-step details, see the dedicated WELCOME300 article.
TRANSFER5000 in Detail
The TRANSFER5000 offer is for investors who want to bring an existing portfolio to IG. Unlike the previous flat 1% TRANSFER5K incentive, the new structure pays a fixed cashback amount based on which value band your transfer falls into. The headline £5,000 maximum is unchanged but now requires a transfer over £1 million to unlock.
The offer is available from 24 April to 31 May 2026, with a minimum transfer of £10,000. You must submit the IG transfer form by 31 May 2026, complete the transfer by 31 July 2026, and maintain a minimum £10,000 invested through to 31 May 2027 to qualify. Cashback is credited to your IG GIA by 30 June 2027. For the full tier breakdown and step-by-step claim flow, see the dedicated TRANSFER5000 article.
Why Choose IG?
Beyond these promotions, IG is one of the longest-established investment platforms in the UK. 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 Articles on MatchMyBroker
- IG UK Free Shares Promotion (WELCOME300)
- IG Transfer Cashback (TRANSFER5000)
- 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
Which IG offer should I choose?
It depends on what you are doing with your money. If you are starting fresh and depositing new funds, the WELCOME300 free shares offer is the right choice. If you are bringing an existing portfolio to IG from another broker, the TRANSFER5000 cashback offer is the better fit. The two cannot be combined, IG clients can only take advantage of the offer they begin participating in first.
Can I use both IG offers at the same time?
No. Per IG's terms, you can only participate in one of the two offers, whichever you start using first. Choose based on your situation: new money in means WELCOME300, transferred portfolio means TRANSFER5000.
What if I want to do both, deposit new money and transfer an existing portfolio?
You will need to pick which offer to claim. Most people in this position go with TRANSFER5000 if their transfer is large enough to earn meaningful cashback (typically £20,000 or more), since the absolute reward is higher. For smaller transfers under £20,000, WELCOME300 may be the better deal because the percentage return on a £300 investment can be higher than the entry transfer tier.
Are these offers available to existing IG clients?
No. Both promotions are restricted to new IG clients with no existing IG share dealing account. If you already have an IG account, you are not eligible for either offer.
Which account types qualify for these offers?
Both offers are available on a General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA, or Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). Cashback and free shares are always credited to your GIA, regardless of which account type you originally opened.
What are the deadlines I need to be aware of?
WELCOME300 runs through 31 December 2026, so the deadline pressure is low. TRANSFER5000 has a tighter window: you must open your account and submit the transfer form by 31 May 2026, with the transfer itself completed by 31 July 2026. If a transfer is what you want, do not delay.
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