Best Brokers With Welcome Bonuses In The UK 2025

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Christian Harris

Christian is a UK-based investment writer who's been actively trading an array of financial instruments for over 10 years. Having used most of the major brokers in the UK, Christian provides valuable insights on all things investing for British traders.

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James Barra

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Tobias Robinson

Tobias is a UK director and partner at Investing.co.uk. He provides commentary on the financial markets in the UK and supports the testing team with first-hand observations from over two decades of active trading.

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Welcome bonuses can make a broker more appealing. A free credit, matched deposit, or extra trading perks can help you get started.

But the details matter. Bonuses often come with rules, limits, or conditions that are easy to miss.

This guide focuses only on the best brokers with welcome bonuses. No general broker features. No side talk. Just what UK traders should check before signing up.

What A Welcome Bonus Usually Means

A welcome bonus is an offer you get when you open a new account. These can take a few forms:

• Deposit match: The broker adds a percentage to your first deposit.
• No-deposit bonus: You get a small sum for free, often just to test the platform.
• Trading credit: Funds you can use to open trades, but may not be withdrawn right away.
• Reward points or perks: Sometimes less direct, like discounted fees or loyalty points.

At first, it can look like free money. However, bonuses almost always come with strings attached.

InstaForex offers a range of welcome bonuses to new users

Check The Terms & Conditions

Every bonus has rules. You need to read them. Some common conditions include:

• Minimum deposit: You may need to deposit a specified amount to qualify.
• Time limits: Some bonuses expire if you don’t use them fast enough.
• Withdrawal rules: You often can’t withdraw the bonus right away. You might have to trade a set volume first.
• Restricted products: Some bonuses are only applicable to specific markets, such as forex or CFDs.

If you skip the small print, you could end up disappointed.

Wagering Or Trading Requirements

This is the big one. Brokers usually want you to place trades worth many times the bonus before you can withdraw it.

For example:

• You get a £50 bonus.
• The broker states that you need to trade 30 times that amount.
• That means £1,500 worth of trades before you can touch the bonus.

For casual traders, this can be unrealistic. Always check the multiplier.

Limits On Withdrawals

Some brokers let you withdraw profits from a bonus. Others don’t. Sometimes, the bonus is only ‘virtual credit.’ It allows you to trade, but you’ll never see the funds in your bank account.

Questions to ask:

• Can I withdraw the bonus itself?
• Can I withdraw profits made with the bonus?
• Do I lose the bonus if I withdraw my own funds early?

The answers change from broker to broker.

Bonus Size vs Practical Value

Bigger is not always better. A £200 bonus might look good. But if you need to trade £20,000 before you can use it, it may not be worth much.

No-Deposit Bonuses

These sound attractive. You don’t risk your own cash. However, they are usually very small—typically £10 or £20.

The catch:

• You may not be able to withdraw any funds until you meet the heavy trade requirements.
• They often serve as a test drive, rather than a genuine profit opportunity.

They can still help you learn a platform, but don’t expect them to replace your own deposit.

Expiry Dates

Most bonuses don’t last forever. Some expire in 30 days. Others in 90. If you don’t use the funds within the specified time, you will lose them.

That also means if the trading requirements are too steep for the timeframe, the bonus may be pointless. Always check the clock before you sign up.

Bonus Restrictions In The UK

Not every type of bonus is allowed. UK rules are strict, especially under the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). Many brokers can’t offer aggressive or misleading promotions.

This means:

• You may see fewer bonus options than in other countries.
• The ones you do see are usually tied to specific conditions to stay compliant.

Loyalty vs One-Time Offers

Some brokers pair a welcome bonus with ongoing perks. Others simply offer you a one-time deal, and that’s it.

If you’re only interested in the welcome boost, this won’t be a concern. But if you’re in it for the long term, a smaller welcome bonus with fairer, ongoing rewards might be a better deal.

The Risk Of Chasing Bonuses

It’s easy to get caught up in chasing offers across multiple brokers. But switching often just for a bonus can be a distraction.

Consider:

• Each bonus locks you into rules that may not suit your trading style.
• Constant switching can spread your funds too thin.
• You may end up trading more than you planned, simply to meet the requirements.

Practical Steps Before You Accept A Bonus

Here’s a simple checklist:

Final Word

A welcome bonus can give you a head start. But it’s not free money. It’s an incentive designed to encourage you to trade.

The best welcome bonus is one you can actually use. Small, fair, and transparent beats big, restrictive, and confusing.

If you treat it as a nice extra, not the main reason to sign up, you’ll avoid most of the common pitfalls.