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Stocks and Shares ISA banner

Stocks and Shares ISA

Grow your investments with this year's Stocks and Shares ISA allowance

Top up an ISA Open a Stocks and Shares ISA Transfer an ISA

Grow your investments with this year's Stocks and Shares ISA allowance

Top up an ISA Open a Stocks and Shares ISA

Transfer an ISA

Grow your investments with this year's Stocks and Shares ISA allowance

Open a Stocks and Shares ISA Transfer an ISA to us

Grow your investments with this year's Stocks and Shares ISA allowance

Open a Stocks and Shares ISA

Transfer an ISA to us


Important information: investing for longer increases the likelihood of positive returns. Over a period of five years or more, investments usually give you a higher return compared to cash savings. But investments can go down as well as up in value, so you could get back less than you put in.

This isn’t personal advice – please ask us for advice if you’re not sure which investments are right for you. Stocks and Shares ISA tax rules can change and benefits depend on your circumstances. Before transferring, please check for loss of benefits and excessive exit fees.

What is a Stocks and Shares ISA?

A Stocks and Shares ISA is an investment account that allows you to invest free from UK tax. And although investing is best for the long term, you can withdraw your money whenever you need to.

Whether you're new to investing or already an expert, you can choose your own investments with our Stocks and Shares ISA.

You can think of a Stocks and Shares ISA as a shopping basket. The investments you put in the basket are up to you, and the ISA shelters them from UK income tax and capital gains tax.

More Stocks and Shares ISA basics

Discover a tax efficient way to grow your wealth with a Stocks and Shares ISA

How much can I invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA?

In the 2024/2025 tax year (6 April to 5 April) there’s a limited amount of money you can put in ISAs. This tax year the ISA allowance is £20,000.

Tax rules for ISAs can change and their benefits depend on your circumstances.

Invest up to £20,000 this tax year

HL Stocks and Shares ISA charges and interest rates

The annual charge for holding investments in an HL Stocks and Shares ISA is never more than 0.45%.

Your dealing and other charges will depend on the investments you choose.

See our ISA charges

You’ll currently receive at least 2.5% interest on any cash you hold while waiting to invest.

See our ISA interest rates

ANNUAL 0.45% ACCOUNT CHARGE
Your investment options

Your ISA investment options

We offer a wide range of investments. You can pick from:

  • The HL Ready-Made ISA
  • Over 3,000 funds
  • UK and overseas shares
  • Investment trusts
  • Bonds
  • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and more

See Stocks and Shares ISA investment ideas

How much could your ISA be worth?

Our ISA calculator can help you picture different scenarios. While it only provides examples, which aren’t guaranteed, you can experiment with different variables.

Change things like how much you expect to pay in each year, or how long you're expecting to invest for. You might be surprised by the results.

Try the calculator

ISA Investment Ideas

Open a Stocks and Shares ISA

Once you've decided to invest your ISA allowance, it takes less than five minutes to get started. You'll just need a debit card and your national insurance number to hand. Remember that your investments can go down as well as up in value, so you may get back less than you invest.

Two simple ways to start a Stocks and Shares ISA

Open a new Stocks and Shares ISA

Get started from as little as £100.

  • Make a one-off debit card payment and top up whenever you like
  • Choose from a range of investments when you’re ready
  • Ideas and support to help you get off to a great start

Set up a Direct Debit

Pay into a Stocks and Shares ISA from £25 each month.

  • Invest automatically each month
  • Start, stop, increase or decrease your Direct Debit whenever you like
  • Ideas and support to help you get off to a great start

Want to transfer an existing ISA to us? Just let us know and we’ll take care of the rest.

Find out more and transfer

Add money to your Stocks and Shares ISA

Add a lump sum from £100

Please read the ISA key features before adding money.

To add money with a debit card online or using the HL app, log in to your account and under 'Actions' choose 'Top up'. Then follow the instructions to enter your debit card details and make your payment.

You can also call us on 0117 980 9950 to add money to your ISA.

Set up a Direct Debit from £25 per month

Please read the ISA key features before adding money.

Invest monthly into your choice of funds, FTSE 350 shares, selected investment trusts and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

You can start, stop, increase and decrease your Direct Debit whenever you like. Log in to your account and choose the 'Monthly savings' tab to get started.

Want to transfer an existing ISA to us? Just let us know and we’ll take care of the rest. Transfer an ISA to us

Join over 900,000 clients using an HL Stocks and Shares ISA

  • Security - we're a FTSE-listed company and the largest investment platform in the UK for private investors, with £130bn in assets under administration, and trusted by over one million clients
  • Ease - check your Stocks and Shares ISA anytime online or with the HL app
  • Expertise - investment ideas for your ISA from our expert analysts
  • Award-winning - we've won over 200 awards, including Best Customer Service 2024 and Best Buy ISA 2023 from the Boring Money Best Buys Awards
  • UK-based helpdesk - speak to our customer support team if you have any questions
  • Personalised and flexible financial advice available - plan and invest for a better future with the help of our financial advice service, which has been awarded corporate chartered status by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

Hear why Jack chose the HL Stocks and Shares ISA

Jack enjoys the investment choice offered with the HL Stocks and Shares ISA.

Read Jack's full story

Learn more about Stocks and Shares ISAs

  • Who can open a Stocks and Shares ISA?

    You can open a Stocks and Shares ISA if you’re over the age of 18 and UK resident for tax purposes. You should also be:

    • Comfortable choosing your own investments in an ISA
    • Confident making long-term investment decisions
    • Free from significant debt (other than a mortgage)
    • Clear on our charges

    Investments fall as well as rise in value, so you could get back less than you put in. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please ask us about financial advice.

  • How do I add money to a Stocks and Shares ISA?

    Adding money to your HL accounts gives you more to invest and is usually quickest online. Here's how to add money to a Stocks and Shares ISA.

    Before you start

    • Make sure you have enough of your ISA allowance left in the current tax year before you add money to your account.
    • The debit card you use should be in the same name as the HL account holder, and registered to your home address.

    How to add money on the website

    1. Log in online to see your accounts
    2. From the list of actions, select 'Top up' next to your chosen account
    3. Read the Key Features before going any further
    4. Enter the amount of money you want to add
    5. Enter the 16-digit number across the middle of your debit card
    6. Enter your card's expiry date in the format MM/YY
    7. Enter the CVC number. This is the last 3 digits on the back of the card
    8. Select 'Make payment' to confirm

    How to add money on the mobile app

    1. Select 'Accounts' in the bottom left corner
    2. Log in using the verification method you have set up
    3. Select the account you want to add money to
    4. Select 'Action' then select 'Add money'
    5. Read the important information shown
    6. Enter the amount you want to add then select 'Continue'
    7. Enter the details of the debit card you want to use
    8. Select 'Make payment' to confirm

    What happens next

    Your 'amount available to invest' will update as soon as the payment is authorised, although the money may not leave your bank account until a few days later.

    You will be able to trade as soon as you have added money.

    Adding money timings

    If you've added money to your account by debit card, you'll want to understand how long it takes before you can invest it. Here's what you need to know.

    Money reaches your HL account: Immediately

    When you can trade : Immediately

    The 'amount available to invest' for your chosen account will update as soon as your debit card payment is authorised.

    Then you can trade straightaway. It may take 1-2 working days for the money to leave your bank account.

    Your HL account may also show a negative balance if you trade before this happens.

    If you see a negative balance after adding money

    A negative balance is normal after you've added money. It will update soon as the money arrives in your HL account.

  • How to withdraw money from a Stocks and Shares ISA?

    Stocks and Shares ISAs are designed for long-term investing – we usually suggest a horizon of at least five years.

    But there are times you might want to withdraw money from your ISA, and you can do this at any time. If you’re selling investments first, the trade will need to settle before you can withdraw cash. This usually takes about two working days for shares and four for funds.

    With the HL Stocks and Shares ISA, there's no charge for withdrawing money. Though there might be charges for selling some investments, depending on what you hold.

    Just remember that if you take money out of your HL Stocks and Shares ISA, you’ll lose that portion of your ISA allowance.

    If you need to withdraw money from your HL accounts, it's usually quickest online. Here's how to withdraw from a Stocks and Shares ISA.

    Before you start

    You need to have set up a nominated bank account before you try and withdraw money from your account.

    How do I withdraw money on the website

    1. Log in online to see your accounts
    2. Select the account you want to withdraw from
    3. Select 'Withdraw money' from the tabs
    4. Read the ISA withdrawal warning. If you understand you won't be able to pay this money back into your ISA without using part of your ISA allowance, select 'Yes, I understand the implications'
    5. Select 'Continue'
    6. Enter the amount you want to withdraw then select 'Next'
    7. Check the amount you're withdrawing and that you're happy with the terms and conditions
    8. Select 'Confirm payment' to confirm

    How to withdraw money on the mobile app

    1. Select 'Accounts' in the bottom left corner
    2. Log in using the verification method you have set up
    3. Select the account you want to withdraw from
    4. Select 'Action' then select 'Withdraw money'
    5. Select 'Cash on my account' to withdraw money you have uninvested
    6. Read the ISA withdrawal warning. If you understand you will not be able to pay this money back into your ISA without using part of your ISA allowance, select 'OK'
    7. Enter the amount you want to withdraw then select 'Continue'
    8. Check the amount you're withdrawing is correct
    9. Select 'Place withdrawal' to confirm

    What happens next

    Depending on when you withdraw it, the money will usually reach your nominated bank account either later that day, or the next working day.

    Withdrawal timings

    How long the money takes to reach your bank account will depend on when you withdraw and the account you've withdrawn from. Here's what you need to know.

    Withdrawal made before noon on a working day: Same day

    Withdrawal made after noon, or on non-working day: Next working day

    Payments are usually made by Faster Payment, which is free of charge.

    If you've recently added money to your account, we may need to refund your debit card instead of paying to your nominated bank account.

    This is for anti-money laundering regulations and can take 3-5 working days.

  • Can you invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA via Direct Debit

    Yes, it’s possible to set up a monthly Direct Debit from £25 a month.

    To set this up:

    1. Log in to your account and choose the account in which you'd like to set up a Direct Debit
    2. Click 'Monthly Savings'
    3. You'll need your bank details to hand

    Direct Debits are taken on the 7th of the month and any investment instructions placed on the 10th of the month (or the next working day).

    Find out more about investing by direct debit

  • How can I reset my login details?

    If you know your login details and want to change them, you can do this online in just a few steps. Here's how to do it.

    Before you start

    • Have your Username, current Online Password and Secure Number to hand. If you've forgotten them, you can reset them online.
    • It is not possible to change your Username online. If you think someone else might have access to your Username, please call us on 0117 980 9984.

    How to change login details on the website

    1. Log in online to see your accounts
    2. Select 'Account Settings' from the tab list of options
    3. Select 'Passwords and timeout preference' from the list of options
    4. Select 'Edit details' for 'Online Password and Secure Number'
    5. Choose whether to change your Online Password, Secure Number, or both
    6. Enter your security details and select 'Continue'
    7. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, we will also send a verification code to your preferred phone number by SMS or call back. Enter this code into the box in full and select 'Log in'
    8. Enter your new Online Password and/or Secure Number and select 'Update'

    Change login details

    What happens next

    You will be able to use your new login details as soon as you've updated them.

    These will work when logging in on the website and the mobile app.

  • Can I pay into more than one Stocks and Shares ISA?

    Yes, you can.

    You can also spread your £20,000 ISA limit across any combination of Stocks and Shares, Innovative Finance or Cash ISAs. However, you are still only able to pay into one Lifetime ISA each tax year (up to £4,000 per year).

    For example, if you wanted to divide your ISA allowance between cash and investments, you could put £15,000 in a Stocks and Shares ISA and the remaining £5,000 in a Cash ISA.

    On top of the £20,000 ISA allowance, it’s also possible to pay up to £9,000 into a Junior ISA for a child.

  • What’s the minimum amount needed to open a Stocks and Shares ISA?
    You can open an HL Stocks and Shares ISA with £100 as a lump sum, or by setting up a Direct Debit from £25 per month.

More Stocks and Shares ISA FAQs

ISA Essentials

What is a Stocks and Shares ISA?

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Best Buy ISA 2023 Boring Money Awards 2022
Best Buy ISA
Boring Money Awards 2023
Best Investment App Boring Money Awards 2024
Best Investment App
Boring Money Awards 2024
Best Online Stockbroker The Personal Finance Awards 2023-2024
Best Online Stockbroker
The Personal Finance Awards 2023/2024

Help and support

If you have any questions about the HL Stocks and Shares ISA, call our helpdesk or send us a message.

Contact us

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