Lightyear referral link (UK): how to get the free share reward

Last updated: 9 June 2026

Not financial advice. This page is for information only and does not constitute financial advice or a personal recommendation. It also contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Want a Lightyear referral link that gets you started with a reward? If you are new to Lightyear and sign up via the link below, you can qualify for a referral reward once you complete onboarding and fund your account (terms apply).

Use the Lightyear referral link

Start your sign-up flow using:

Start Lightyear sign-up

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Important: Lightyear's referral scheme terms say referral links are intended for private sharing between friends, colleagues and family, not mass posting online. Always check the latest terms below before relying on any reward.

How the referral reward works

1. Open a Lightyear account using the referral link above.
2. Complete onboarding and identity checks.
3. Fund your account with at least £100 (or the equivalent) within 30 days of using the link.
4. If you qualify, the reward is credited to your General Investment Account (GIA).

The rule people miss: the 6-month withdrawal lock

Lightyear's terms include a withdrawal restriction. The reward value (and an equivalent value if you sell or convert the reward share) cannot be withdrawn until 6 months after the reward is received. Plan for that, and do not sign up assuming you can instantly cash out the bonus.

Is the reward amount random?

Depending on the specific campaign, Lightyear may allocate rewards using an automated probability table. This is the bucket weighting set out in Lightyear's referral scheme terms:

• £10 to £20: 80%
• £20 to £50: 15%
• £50 to £75: 3%
• £75 to £100: 2%

In practice, most people land in the smaller bands. It is still a nice boost, but do not mentally spend the £100 before it exists.

What you get with Lightyear in 2026

Since March 2026, Lightyear has become one of the lower-cost investing platforms in the UK on price. Key highlights include commission-free trading on UK, US and EU shares and ETFs, a 0.10% FX fee (down from 0.35%), multi-currency accounts in GBP, USD and EUR, a Cash ISA paying 3.75% AER (variable, tracking the Bank of England base rate), money market fund Vaults paying up to 3.77% AER (variable) after fees, and access to thousands of stocks and ETFs across UK, US and EU markets. Rates are accurate as of June 2026.

Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. Rates shown are variable and can change.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

For a full breakdown of fees, features, pros and cons, read the Lightyear review UK.

Before you sign up

• New customers only: referral rewards are for people who do not already have a Lightyear account.
• Minimum funding: you need to fund £100+ within the 30-day window.
• GIA requirement: rewards are credited to a General Investment Account (GIA).
• Referrer limit: an eligible referrer can receive up to 3 rewards per calendar month, and each new customer is eligible for one sign-up reward.
• Not combinable: referral rewards generally cannot be combined with other Lightyear promotions unless stated otherwise.
• Offers change: Lightyear can amend or withdraw promotions at any time.

Official terms and trusted checks

• Lightyear referral scheme terms (UK): funding window, GIA requirement, withdrawal lock, probability buckets and referral limits.
• Lightyear help: how referral rewards work: where referrals live in-app and what invitees must do.
• Lightyear pricing: fees and costs, including FX, in one place.

Is Lightyear regulated?

Yes. Lightyear U.K. Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 987226) and is registered in England and Wales (company number 14367910). Client money is held in segregated accounts, with cash held at partner banks (currently Citi and NatWest). Eligible investments are protected up to £85,000 per person per FCA-authorised firm by the FSCS, and eligible cash deposits held with those banks are protected up to £120,000 per eligible person per UK-authorised bank (since 1 December 2025). Note that FSCS protection applies to client money held with banks, not to money held in money market funds. CoolCuration is not authorised by the FCA and does not provide investment recommendations.

FAQ

Do I have to invest the £100?

The referral terms focus on funding the account by the minimum amount. Whether you invest or keep it as cash is your call, but investing involves risk and your capital is at risk.

How long does it take to receive the reward?

Lightyear says rewards are usually awarded within around 10 business days after you qualify, but this is not guaranteed.

Can I withdraw the reward straight away?

Usually no. Lightyear's terms include a 6-month withdrawal restriction tied to the reward value. Plan accordingly.

Can I combine the referral reward with other Lightyear promotions?

Generally not, unless Lightyear's specific campaign terms say otherwise. Always check the latest promotion terms before signing up.

What happens if my identity check takes longer than expected?

Verification usually completes within minutes, but in rare cases it can take up to two working days. The 30-day funding window starts from when you use the referral link, so a brief delay should not affect your eligibility.

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Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a personal recommendation. Rates, fees and promotions are variable and can change or be withdrawn at any time, so always check Lightyear's latest terms before signing up, and consider speaking to a qualified financial adviser.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

This page contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and does not provide personalised investment advice. Any mention of free shares or promotional offers is subject to the terms and conditions set by Lightyear.

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