ISA-UK

Join Our Campaign - Invest at 16

We're calling on the UK Government to lower the minimum age for opening and managing an Individual Savings Account (ISA) to 16-years-old aligning with the age young people can leave school, start work, and soon, vote.

What We Strive For

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At XTB, we believe that financial independence should begin when young people start shaping their futures.

By empowering young investors to take control of their financial journey earlier, we can help build a stronger culture of saving, investing, and financial confidence across the UK.

Why We’re Asking for Change

We’re asking the UK Government to reduce the minimum age for independently opening and managing an ISA from 18 to 16-years-old.

This simple change would bring the ISA rules in line with other key milestones of adulthood leaving school, starting work, and (soon) voting.

Our goal is to give financially aware and motivated young people the freedom to begin their savings and investment journey sooner, helping them build healthy habits and long-term financial security.

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70% Gen Z ISA holders believe 16 and 17-year-olds should be able to invest in a Stocks & Shares ISA.

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Majority of parents think their children aged 16 and 17-year-old should be allowed to invest their own money in an ISA.

Source: Find Out Now on behalf of XTB

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68% of parents believe their children understand the importance of saving money.

See Who Supports Our Campaign

Cameron Smith

Michael Taylor

Mia McGrath

James Beckett

Timothy Paul

Christos Fellas

Anna Brading

Matthew Gay

Will Gryba

Cameron Smith

I support this campaign because it will empower young people with the knowledge and access to make informed financial decisions, build good habits like saving and investing early, and ultimately transform how a generation thinks about money - creating greater financial literacy and a stronger investing culture for the future.

Michael Taylor

It seems truly bizarre that at 16-years-old you can make the choice to join the army yet not be able to open a Cash or a Stocks & Shares ISA. Anyone able to make the decision to serve and face both the physical and mental risks that entails should be able to to decide what they do with their money and have the same options as anyone else who is a tax resident in the UK. I support this proposal because those who start work and save at 16 should not risk being punished for going over their Personal Savings Allowance. It's only fair to offer these individuals the same treatment as the rest of those who support our economy and pay taxes. Financial education should be a priority for the United Kingdom and those two extra years of potential investments can add up to large sums when compounded over time. By promoting both the merits and risks of sensible investing and saving we empower 16 and 17-year-old individuals to take charge of their money and be responsible for it.

Mia McGrath

Changing the investing age to 16 is something I feel incredibly passionate about. At 16, you can leave school and work a full-time job, open a bank account, have a NI number etc. With all these things in mind, why not be able to plan for your financial future. We all know that the sooner you invest, the better results you can reap from compound interest - not only that you are able to take more risk with financial planning due to the amount of time spent in the market. As a personal finance creator, I get many parents asking me what they can do for their child this age, only being able to recommend a junior ISA feels limited. Even though the knock on effects may not be significant, being able to have that option there with the correct guardrails could change many people's lives. If we collectively want more of the UK to be investing, this feels like a natural step forward.

James Beckett

Less than one in ten Brits have a Stocks and Shares ISA. If we want to build a thriving retail investing culture like the US, we need to empower the next generation to start earlier. The habits we form around money as teenagers can shape the rest of our lives, and this is a chance to help young people build one of the best habits they’ll ever have: investing for their future. Right now, there’s a lost group of 16 and 17-year-olds who could be investing, but can’t. If a parent hasn’t opened a Junior ISA before their child turns sixteen, it’s unlikely they ever will. Lowering the access age would give these young people a bridge to start learning, investing, and taking ownership of their financial journey. At 16 or 17, you can work, pay taxes and soon even vote, yet you still can’t invest your own money for the long term. That feels completely out of step with the world we live in today. The government has said it wants to build an investing culture in this country, but real change takes time. Allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to open ISAs won’t transform the public finances overnight, but it would plant the seeds for a generation that is more financially literate.

Timothy Paul

I want to support a culture where young people are encouraged and empowered to take action. Because the hardest step is the first one. So to be part of an initiative that gives 16 and 17-year-olds this opportunity earlier in life is a powerful statement of trust which I strongly believe in. From a practical point of view, there is very minimal downside in implementing this change. The only “cost" is the potential loss of tax revenue on interest, dividends, or capital gains for the government, but since most 16 and 17-year-olds have relatively small savings, this loss would be very small overall. And in the long run, encouraging the youth to start investing earlier will actually benefit the economy. It will introduce them to the idea of financial security, less reliance on credit, and better prepare them for adult life.

Christos Fellas

Allowing young people to invest earlier encourages responsible money management, teaching key concepts like compound interest, saving, and economics while habits are still forming. With the government proposing legislation to lower the voting age to 16, it makes sense to align the legal investing age too. If young people can vote on financial and economic policies, they should also be trusted to take their finances into their own hands. Combining early access to investing with proper financial education can protect young people from misinformation online and foster a generation of informed, long-term investors.

Anna Brading

I am a parent of 3 children whom I am teaching about the importance of saving and long-term investing. Although we already invest for our kids in a JISA, we want them to be able to start their own investing journey independently, as soon as they start earning. Even if it’s just a small amount from a part-time job, I think it’s important that 16 and 17-year-olds feel empowered to build the habit of long-term investing as soon as possible. Lowering the age for a Stocks and Shares ISA could help encourage the next generation of investors to get started.

Matthew Gay

Lowering the ISA age empowers young people to start building wealth and good money habits earlier, which is vital for adult life! With the right education, it teaches discipline, patience, and long-term thinking instead of chasing quick wins. Those ready to learn and take responsibility deserve the same chance as any adult to shape their financial future for the better. Let's start simple, allow young adults to make good financial decisions earlier.

Will Gryba

This topic touches me deeper, as at 16, I always wanted to try and make more money and make it work for me, but it seemed like there was nothing out there. I was naïve and fell for all the get-rich-quick schemes. Thus, if we can make real, true financial education accessible to 16-year-olds, we will not only create more interest around the subject, but compound interest will have even longer to kick in. Even though not every 16- year-old will listen, it’ll be on their radar, and the ones who take it upon themselves to learn about personal finance will be able to create a better life for themselves and this country’s economy.

Why This Change Matters

ISAs have long been one of the UK’s most successful and trusted savings and investment products. They allow people to save and invest tax-free, building financial security over time.

By extending ISA eligibility to 16- and 17-year-olds, we can:

Help young people develop positive saving and investing habits early.
Support financial education and literacy among the next generation.
Align the financial system with the government’s broader ambition to create a nation of savers.

ISAs are also low-risk investment vehicles. They don’t allow leveraged trading or complex strategies just straightforward investing in regulated global stocks and shares. This makes them an ideal starting point for those learning about responsible money management.

Why Junior ISAs Don't Work for Young Investors

Right now, under-18s can only access a Junior ISA (JISA) — a great tool for parents saving for their children, but a limited one for young people ready to manage their own money.

Here’s the problem:

The annual JISA limit is £9,000 less than half the £20,000 available in an adult ISA.
The young person cannot withdraw funds or manage the account until they turn 18.
Financially independent 16 and 17-year-olds who work or save are restricted from managing their own investments.

This campaign is about giving every young person the tools, access, and confidence to take control of their financial future.

Features Of an ISA

No Tax on Capital Gains

The key benefit of an ISA is its tax-free status. Any interest earned on ISAs or any capital gains or dividends generated within the Flexible Stocks & Shares ISAs are completely exempt from UK income tax and capital gains tax.

Earn Interest on Free Funds

Earn 4.25% (variable rate) interest on GBP on your uninvested funds. Interest is calculated daily and paid out monthly.

How Does an ISA Work?

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Build a portfolio without unnecessary costs

Manage your money as you see fit

Withdraw Funds Tax-Free

Free account opening and maintenance for all active clients. 0% commission on Stocks & ETFs for monthly turnover equivalent up to 100K. Capital at risk. 0% commission up to €100k/month. 0.5% FX fee may apply.

The annual allowance limit for an ISA in the 2025/2026 tax year is £20,000, and you get to decide when and how much you want to deposit. The allowance resets every April 6th, giving you a fresh start to maximise your savings.

The key benefit of an ISA is its tax-free status. Any interest earned on ISAs or any capital gains or dividends generated within Stocks & Shares ISAs are completely exempt from UK income tax and capital gains tax. You can withdraw your funds at any time.

Step 1

Build a portfolio without unnecessary costs

Free account opening and maintenance for all active clients. 0% commission on Stocks & ETFs for monthly turnover equivalent up to 100K. Capital at risk. 0% commission up to €100k/month. 0.5% FX fee may apply.

Step 2

Manage your money as you see fit

The annual allowance limit for an ISA in the 2025/2026 tax year is £20,000, and you get to decide when and how much you want to deposit. The allowance resets every April 6th, giving you a fresh start to maximise your savings.

Step 3

Withdraw Funds Tax-Free

The key benefit of an ISA is its tax-free status. Any interest earned on ISAs or any capital gains or dividends generated within Stocks & Shares ISAs are completely exempt from UK income tax and capital gains tax. You can withdraw your funds at any time.

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Education

At XTB, we believe great investing starts with great education. That’s why we offer free access to eBooks, articles, videos, webinars, and expert market analysis all designed to help customers of every age grow their financial knowledge.

We’re also committed to supporting young savers at the start of their journey. If adopted by the UK government, XTB’s proposed educational programme will provide free, innovative learning resources to help young people build confidence, independence, and smarter money habits.

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News

Regular news stories and campaign updates.

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Contact

For more information about the campaign, please contact press@xtb.com

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About XTB

XTB is a global fintech company that provides individual investors with instant access to financial markets from around the world, through an innovative online investing platform and the XTB mobile app. Founded in Poland in 2004, we support over 2 million customers globally in achieving their investment and trading ambitions.

At XTB, we are committed to the continuing development of the online investing platform enabling our customers to access 10900+ instruments.

Our online platform is a top destination not only for investing but also market analysis and education. We offer an extensive library of educational materials, videos, webinars and courses to help our customers become better investors, irrespective of their trading experience. Our customer service team provides support in 18 languages and is available 24/5 via email, chat or phone.

In over 20 years of operation in financial markets, we have established 12 offices worldwide including Poland, the UK, Germany, Romania, Spain, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Portugal, France, Dubai and Chile.

Since 2016, XTB shares have been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. We are regulated by the world’s largest supervisory authorities: Financial Conduct Authority, Polish Financial Supervision Authority, Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission and Financial Services Commission.

Visit https://www.xtb.com/en for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is XTB asking the government to do?

To lower the age at which an individual can open ISAs from 18 to 16-years-old.

What is the rationale for starting such a campaign?

To empower a younger generation to save and invest for the future and bring the age
limit in line with other milestones such as minimum age for leaving school, starting work and (soon) voting. XTB and others want to help kick start an investing culture among the youth as early as possible which aligns with the government’s ambition.

What is wrong with the rules as they stand? Why do 16 and 17-year-olds need access to a full stocks and shares ISA product?

Not every 16 and 17-year-old will want to open a Stocks and Shares ISA, however those
who are interested in investing, who have financial independence or want to learn about the stock market should be allowed the same benefits as anyone of 18 years or older.

How does this ISA proposition differ from the existing JISA and why do you believe the JISA is not fit for purpose when it comes to 16- and 17-year-olds?

JISAs are a great vehicle for parents to save for the children - in their children’s names.
However, the annual deposit limit is just £9,000 rather than the full £20,000 which can go into an adult ISA and there are strict controls on what the owner or controller of a JISA can do until they are 18. The most onerous being that they cannot withdraw any money. It makes no sense to limit a 16 or 17-year-old’s access to money if they are earning and/or supporting themselves.

Is 16 too young to be investing in the stock market?

We fully accept that not every 16 or 17-year-old will be interested in investing, however
many of the most successful investors and entrepreneurs start at an early age. If we
want to create an investment culture in the UK we believe it is key that we start early,
educating and offering opportunities to those who show an interest. It will also enable for
young people to develop life skills through the learning about and management of
money, which helps to instil discipline from an early age.

Will the product you are proposing for 16 and 17-year-olds differ from a full adult Stocks and Shares ISA or a Cash ISA?

No, the principle is to offer the same opportunities to 16 and 17-year-olds as are
currently offered to 18-year-olds. We want to empower young investors by educating
them about risk as well as exposing them to the potential rewards of saving and
investments.

Your capital is at risk. The value of your investments may go up or down. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and ISA regulations which may change. XTB Ltd. is not a bank. Deposits should be made for investment purposes only. T&Cs apply.

I hereby declare that I have been informed that my personal data will be processed for a purpose of marketing of products and services offered by XTB Ltd., exercise or defence of legal claims and in case of opening a demo account also for the purpose of its servicing (legitimate interests provided by controller). Moreover, I hereby declare that I have been informed that XTB with its registered office in the United Kingdom at Level 34, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5AA, London, United Kingdom (company number 07227848) is the controller of the personal data.

Data Protection Officer’s data: email – data.privacy@xtb.co.uk;

Recipients categories: “co-working entities”, this means firms owned by XTB as well as controlled by XTB, firms which are under common control together with XTB or which are in a constant cooperation, such as banks, investment firms, auditors, companies providing other financial services, IT companies, advisory companies or courier companies.

XTB’s performance of activities may require a transfer of personal data to entities which are performing services for and on behalf of XTB in other countries, including countries outside of European Economic Area. XTB may use securities in form of a standard data protection provisions, which are approved by the European Commission, in case of transfer of personal data to countries which may not provide an appropriate level of data protection. A person whose personal data concerns has a possibility to obtain a copy of his/her data.

Personal data will be stored for a period of 10 years since acquisition of those data, with the reservation of the mandatory law provisions;

A person whose data concerns has a right to request for their correction, deletion or restriction of processing as well as notification of the objection against processing, right to file a complaint to supervisory body, as well as a right to transfer the data;

Providing of my personal data is voluntary, failure to provide data will result in the inability to participate in a marketing campaign or open a demo account.

I give my consent to receive commercial information (including commercial information) via electronic means of communication (including telecommunications terminal equipment, automated calling systems), XTB Ltd., with its registered office the United Kingdom at Level 34, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5AA, London, United Kingdom (company number 07227848). This consent is voluntary and may be revoked at any time.

Join Our Campaign - Invest at 16 We're calling on the UK Government to lower the minimum age for opening and managing an Individual Savings Account (ISA) to 16-years-old aligning with the age young people can leave school, start work, and soon, vote.

What We Strive For

Why We’re Asking for Change

Read Our Letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Why This Change Matters

Why Junior ISAs Don't Work for Young Investors

Education

News

Contact

About XTB

Join Our Campaign - Invest at 16

We're calling on the UK Government to lower the minimum age for opening and managing an Individual Savings Account (ISA) to 16-years-old aligning with the age young people can leave school, start work, and soon, vote.