Margin rates
Margin is the deposit you need to open a CFD trade. Our competitive rates mean you can start trading with just a small percentage of the total position value.
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What is margin?
Margin is your deposit to open a CFD trade. Instead of paying the full amount, you only put down a percentage.
For example: For example: Want to trade $10,000 worth of Apple shares? With 20% margin, you only need $2,000. Your profits and losses are based on the full $10,000 position value, not just your $2,000 deposit.
How IG's tiered margin system works
Margins are calculated according to tiers, based on the size of your position.
Tier 1 = lowest rates
Smaller positions get our most competitive margin rates. Most traders stay in this tier.
Larger = higher rates
As your position size increases, you move into higher tiers with slightly higher margin requirements.
Split across tiers
Big trades spanning multiple tiers? First part uses Tier 1 rates, next part uses Tier 2 rates, and so on.
How to find margin tier info on the IG platform:
- Open the IG trading platform
- Select a market category (eg: cryptocurrency, indices)
- Select a specific product (eg: Bitcoin, FTSE 100)
- Click on "Info"
- Click on "Margin requirements"
Use our CFD calculator to calculate your margin and potential profit and loss.
The margin depends on which market you're trading, and if you’re a retail or professional trader.
Get much lower margin rates
If you qualify as a professional trader, you can access significantly lower margin requirements.
After opening a trade, you need to keep enough funds in your account to cover potential losses. This is called maintenance margin.
If your account balance gets too low to cover your trades, you'll get a margin call asking you to either add funds or close positions.
FAQs about margin trading in UAE
What's the difference between initial margin and maintenance margin?
Initial margin is the deposit required to open a position with IG. Maintenance margin is the minimum amount required to keep your positions open, covering any running losses. If your account equity falls below the maintenance margin level, you'll receive a margin call.
Is margin a fee I pay IG?
No, margin is not a fee - it's a deposit that's returned when you close your position. Your actual trading costs come from spreads and overnight funding charges. Think of margin like a security deposit you pay when renting something.
What happens during an IG margin call in the UAE?
For retail accounts, positions may be automatically closed when equity drops below 50% of margin requirement. While we may send email notifications at 100% and 75% equity levels, you remain fully responsible for monitoring your account and maintaining adequate funds regardless of whether you receive these notifications.
Do UAE retail clients have negative balance protection?
Yes, retail clients trading with IG in the UAE have negative balance protection under DFSA regulations. This means you can't lose more than the funds in your account. Professional clients do not have this protection.
How do different assets compare for margin requirements?
Under DFSA regulations for retail clients, major forex pairs require a minimum of 3.33% margin (30:1 leverage), major indices 5% (20:1), gold 5% (20:1), commodities 10% (10:1), non-major equity indices 10% (10:1), and individual equities 20% (5:1).
Do professional clients get different margin rates in the UAE?
Yes, professional clients in the UAE are exempt from DFSA regulatory limits on leverage and can access substantially lower margin rates. For example, the FTSE 100 requires just 0.45% margin compared to 5% for retail clients.
What happens if market volatility increases?
During periods of high market volatility, IG may temporarily increase margin requirements on certain markets. We'll notify UAE clients of any changes by email.
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Disclaimers
- CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Professional Clients can lose more than they deposit.
- The value of shares and ETFs bought through an IG stock trading account can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. Please ensure you fully understand the risks and take care to manage your exposure.
- IG does not issue advice, recommendations or opinions in relation to acquiring, holding or disposing of a CFD. IG is not a financial advisor and all services are provided on an execution-only basis. This communication is not an offer or solicitation to enter into a transaction and shall not be construed as such.
- IG is a trading name of IG Limited a company registered at 2702 & 2703 Level 27, Tower 2, Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. IG is authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) under reference No. F001780.
- The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States, Belgium or any particular country outside the UAE and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
