Skip to main content

How to start investing with Chip

All you need to know about your eligibility for the Chip Investment Platform and how much it costs to access.

James avatar
Written by James
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Quick things to know

  • Available to customers on the Chip or ChipX plan

  • You must connect your bank using Open Banking

  • Start investing with just £1

  • You’ll need your National Insurance number

  • Choose between a Stocks & Shares ISA or a GIA (General Investment Account)

Who can invest with Chip?

Chip Investments are open to customers on the Chip or ChipX plan, as long as you meet our usual eligibility criteria (see getchip.uk/terms).

To get started, you’ll need to fully connect your bank to Chip using Open Banking. This lets you open an investment account and move money into a fund.

What do I need to open an investment account?

All you need is:

  • A fully connected bank account (via Open Banking)

  • Your National Insurance number

Most other details (like your name and address) will already be filled in from your Chip account, so there’s no long setup process. You can start with as little as £1.

Why do I need to give my National Insurance number?

We’re required by law to collect your NI number to:

  • Open an ISA (for HMRC tax reporting)

  • Confirm your identity under financial regulations

We may ask for more details if needed to verify who you are.

Which account should I open: an ISA or a GIA?

You can choose between:

Stocks & Shares ISA

  • No tax on gains, interest, or dividends

  • Annual ISA allowance of £20,000 (set by the government)

  • Great for long-term, tax-efficient investing

General Investment Account (GIA)

  • Proceeds are potentially taxable, subject to any annual exemption that may apply

  • No limit on how much you can invest

    • Useful if you’ve already used your full £20,000 ISA allowance for the year

Want to learn more about ISAs? Check out our ISA guide

Need further help?

If you have any further questions, get in touch with our support team using the in-app chat (this can be found in the Contact us section on the Profile tab) or by email at hello@getchip.uk for further help.

Reminder: Chip does not provide financial advice. If you're unsure, it may help to speak to a qualified adviser. Your capital is at risk.

Did this answer your question?