Switching brokers is a chore, so Robinhood tries to make it worth your while by paying you to move your account over. Its transfer bonus has become one of the biggest cash incentives in the brokerage world, but the fine print decides whether that money actually stays in your pocket.
Here is how the Robinhood transfer bonus works as of July 2026, the exact terms from its most recent promotion, and the holding rules that can claw the bonus back if you are not careful.
What the Robinhood Transfer Bonus Is
A transfer bonus is cash Robinhood deposits into your account when you move investments in from another brokerage using an ACATS transfer. ACATS (the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) moves your stocks and funds in-kind, so you do not have to sell first.
Robinhood calculates the bonus as a percentage of the assets you bring over, then pays it as a cash reward. The more you transfer, the larger the reward, which is why these promotions attract people consolidating accounts. If you have shopped brokers before, you know most of them do not pay anything to take your money, so a percentage-based bonus stands out.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Current Transfer Bonus Terms as of July 2026
Robinhood runs these promotions in waves rather than year-round, so the exact percentage changes. Its most recent major event, HOOD Rewards Season, ran with transfers required to be initiated by March 25, 2026, and set the tone for what to expect when a new window opens.
Here were the tiers from that promotion:
- 2% bonus on ACATS transfers into a Robinhood individual or joint taxable brokerage account
- 3% total on taxable transfers when you carry a margin balance of $10,000 or more
- 2% bonus on ACATS transfers into a Robinhood IRA, including 401(k) rollovers
Robinhood also covered outgoing transfer fees from your old broker, up to $75, when you moved $7,500 or more in assets. Because these offers open and close, always confirm the live percentage and deadline in the Robinhood app before you start a transfer. Terms and conditions apply, and the promotion you see today may differ from the one above.
How to Qualify and the Fine Print
The headline percentage is the easy part. The conditions are where people get tripped up.
Two rules matter most on the recent offers. First, you generally needed a Robinhood Gold membership ($5 per month, or $50 per year) and had to keep it for a full year. Second, the transferred assets plus the bonus had to stay in your account for a 5-year minimum hold. Pull the money out early and Robinhood can reclaim the bonus. Gold also unlocks other perks, and you can see how popular that tier has become in our look at how many Robinhood Gold members there are.
Is the Transfer Bonus Actually Worth It?
Do the math on your own balance before you move anything. A 2% bonus on a $50,000 transfer is $1,000 in cash, which easily covers a year of Gold at $60 and any $75 exit fee from your old broker.
But the 5-year hold is a real commitment. If you might need that money sooner, or you are not sure Robinhood is your long-term home, the bonus can turn into a trap. Also weigh what you give up. If your current broker offers mutual funds, a feature Robinhood lacks, moving could cost you access to funds you actually use.
The transfer itself is straightforward and mirrors moving in the other direction. Our guide on how to transfer money out of Robinhood and our walkthrough for the reverse trip, transferring from Robinhood to Fidelity, both show how ACATS timing works in practice. If margin is part of your plan, check our breakdown of the Robinhood margin interest rate first, since the 3% tier requires carrying a margin balance.
If Robinhood Is Not the Right Home
A bonus is only worth chasing if you actually want to keep your money at that broker for years. If Robinhood is missing something you need, do not let a one-time reward pull you in.
Public is a solid alternative to compare against. It offers commission-free stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and crypto in one app, pays 3.3% APY on uninvested cash with no membership fee, and runs its own transfer promotions from time to time. Its standout Bond Account targets a 5%+ yield, something Robinhood does not match. Read our full Public review to see if it fits your goals better before you commit to a 5-year hold anywhere.
Public
Public
Investing for those who take it seriously. Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto & more.
Standout feature
A 5%+ yield Bond Account paired with 3.3% APY on cash — Public is one of the only consumer apps where idle and conservative money is treated as seriously as the equity portfolio.
Fees
Free
Pros
• Invest in stocks, bonds, crypto & more• Earn 3.3% APY* on your cash with no fees• 1% match when you transfer your portfolio• Lock in a 5%+ yield with a Bond Account
Cons
Customer support is in-app and email only, no phone
What Users Commonly Report
Many users say the transfer bonus is real and does pay out, and they like that ACATS moves their positions in-kind so they avoid selling and triggering taxes. Reviewers frequently mention that the fee reimbursement for the old broker made the switch feel free.
A common complaint is confusion over the 5-year hold and the Gold requirement, with some users surprised that leaving early can claw back the bonus. Others note that transfers can take a week or two to fully settle, so patience helps. As always, read the current promotion terms in full before you count on the cash.
Bottom Line on the Robinhood Transfer Bonus
The Robinhood transfer bonus can be one of the most valuable perks in investing, especially on a large balance, but only if you plan to stay for the long haul and can live with the 5-year hold and Gold membership.
If that fits your plan, watch for the next promotion window and confirm the live terms, then start your ACATS transfer with Robinhood. If you are still deciding where retirement money should live, our guide on opening a Roth IRA with Robinhood can help you weigh the account itself, not just the sign-up cash.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Robinhood transfer bonus in 2026?
Robinhood's most recent promotion paid a 2% bonus on ACATS transfers into taxable brokerage accounts and IRAs, rising to 3% on taxable transfers with a $10,000+ margin balance. The exact percentage changes between promotion windows, so check the live offer in the Robinhood app before transferring.
Do I have to keep the money at Robinhood to keep the bonus?
Yes. Recent offers required a 5-year minimum hold on the transferred assets and the bonus. If you withdraw or transfer the funds out early, Robinhood can reclaim the bonus. A Robinhood Gold membership held for one year was also typically required.
Will Robinhood cover my old broker's transfer fee?
On the recent promotion, Robinhood reimbursed outgoing ACATS transfer fees up to $75 when you moved $7,500 or more in assets. Confirm the current reimbursement terms before you start, since promotions vary.
How long does a Robinhood transfer take?
An ACATS transfer usually takes about a week to complete, though it can run longer if there are mismatches or manual review. Your assets move in-kind, so you do not have to sell your positions to switch brokers. Terms and conditions apply.
