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Investing in international shares

Important information - the value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. Withdrawals from a Junior ISA will not be possible until the child reaches age 18. This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice.

Buying US and European shares

You can now own a slice of some of the world's biggest brands with our award-winning share dealing service. Search, compare and select overseas shares and deal quickly and easily in a Stocks and Shares ISA, Investment Account or Junior ISA. Start your search today.

Award-winning online share dealing

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Clear and simple pricing

Pay just £7.50 for each deal placed online or through our app.

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Research tools

Market and shares data, comprehensive research tools and daily insights to help you on your way.

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A wealth of choice

As well as international shares, our wide selection also includes investment trusts, ETFs and UK shares.

How to get started

Open an account

You’ll need to open a Stocks and Shares ISA, Investment Account or Junior ISA to invest in international shares with us.

Choose your investments

When you're ready, visit Investment Finder to search, compare and select US and European shares.

Buying US shares

If you want to invest in US shares, you'll need to complete a W-8BEN form first for US regulatory reasons. Don't worry, it's quick and easy to do this online.

A CREST Depository Interest (CDI) is a UK investment that represents an investment listed on an overseas exchange, such as the US's Nasdaq. We use CDIs to enable you to trade international shares in your Fidelity account. When you buy or sell an international share, CREST (Certificate Registry for Electronic Share Transfer) issues a CDI, which can then be traded in the UK market.

Transferring accounts and investments

If you'd like to transfer your ISA, Junior ISA or Investment Account to Fidelity our transfer process is straightforward. Plus, we’ll cover any exit fees your current provider may charge, up to £500 per person. *T&Cs apply.

If you have US shares in any of these accounts, you’ll need to complete a new W-8BEN form within two weeks of the date you submitted the transfer instruction. Fidelity is required by the US to have a new W-8BEN form even if you submitted a form with your previous provider. 

*Read the exit fee T&Cs

Exchange rates

When you buy an international share, the share price is converted into British pounds (sterling) at the current exchange rate.

Changes in the exchange rate will affect the sterling value of your international shares.

For further information, please refer to  Doing Business with Fidelity

Fees and charges

When you buy/sell (deal) an international share, you'll pay a foreign exchange (FX) charge and Fidelity's standard dealing charge.


Fidelity dealing charge

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Buy online

A flat fee of just £7.50 a trade when buying or selling shares online.

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Lower fee for regular savings plan

A lower fee of £1.50 when dealing shares as part of a regular savings plan, or for dividend re-investments.

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Buy over the phone

You can also deal shares over the phone for £30 a trade.

Depending on which account you have with us you could also pay a service fee. It is typically 0.35%, but depending on how much money you hold in your personal accounts, it can be as little as 0.2% and is not charged on investments over £1m.

Foreign exchange charge

Foreign exchange (FX) charges are tiered based on the amount you are dealing. So larger trades pay a lower percentage.

You'll pay a charge of 0.75% on any amount up to £10,000, 0.50% on any amount over £10,000 up to £20,000, and 0.25% on any amount over £20,000.

Value of investment FX charge
£0 to £10,000 0.75%
£10,000.01- £20,000 0.50%
£20,000.01 + 0.25%

Example of Fidelity total dealing charges for an international share

Investment of £15,000 FX Charge tiers Charge
£0 - £10,000 0.75% £75.0
£10,000.01 - £15,000 0.50% £25.0
Fidelity standard dealing charge for each deal placed online.   £7.5
Total   £107.5

In addition to these charges there may be additional government and local stock exchange charges for certain international markets. You can see these charges when you place the deal and on your contract note.

Share prices and market data

Get the latest share prices, market data, news, factsheets and performance charts for your international shares.

FAQs

What does it mean to deal a share/trade stock?
Can Fidelity advise me on what shares to invest in?
Can I deal international shares in my SIPP?
What is a W-8BEN form?
Can I transfer my international shares from my existing provider to Fidelity?
Can I transfer cash in a foreign currency - not sterling (GBP) - from my current provider to my Fidelity account?
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