How to invest in the UK using ETFs
How do I invest in UK stocks?
The easiest way to invest in the whole UK stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.
On the UK stock market you'll find 3 indices which are tracked by ETFs. Besides these indices 5 alternative indices on small and mid caps as well as equity strategies can be considered.
Alternatively, you may invest in indices on Europe.
Performance of UK stocks (FTSE 100)
1 month: -0.68%
1 year: 17.27%
3 years: 54.28%
5 years: 53.76%
Indices in comparison
The best indices for ETFs on UK
For an investment in the UK stock market, there are 3 indices available which are tracked by 12 ETFs. On the FTSE 100 index there are 6 ETFs. On the FTSE All-Share index there are 2 ETFs. On the MSCI UK index there are 4 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0.07% p.a. and 0.33% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSE 100 | United Kingdom | 6 ETFs | 100 | The FTSE 100 index tracks the 100 largest UK stocks. Index factsheet |
FTSE All-Share | United Kingdom | 2 ETFs | 534 (27/02/2026) | The FTSE All-Share index tracks all UK-based companies admitted to the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Index factsheet |
MSCI UK | United Kingdom | 4 ETFs | 66 (30/09/2026) | The MSCI UK index tracks large and mid cap equity market performance of United Kingdom. Index factsheet |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m CHF | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (Dist)IE0005042456 | 17,670 | 0.07% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (GBP) DistributingIE00B810Q511 | 5,022 | 0.09% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (Acc)IE00B53HP851 | 3,551 | 0.07% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Full replication | |
| UBS MSCI United Kingdom UCITS ETF GBP accLU0950670850 | 1,956 | 0.20% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBPIE00B42TW061 | 929 | 0.07% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| State Street SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETF GBP Unhedged (Acc)IE00B7452L46 | 423 | 0.20% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| State Street SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETF GBP Unhedged (Dist)IE00BD5FCF91 | 361 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| iShares MSCI UK UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B539F030 | 126 | 0.33% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Full replication | |
| UBS MSCI United Kingdom UCITS ETF GBP disLU0937836467 | 104 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-UKdisLU1107559533 | 90 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| UBS FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP disLU0136242590 | 83 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| Amundi Core FTSE 100 Swap UCITS ETF DistLU1650492256 | 47 | 0.14% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE All-Share | -0.41% | 6.08% | 12.85% | 20.61% | 51.42% | |
| FTSE 100 | -0.57% | 5.45% | 11.39% | 20.79% | 52.57% | |
| MSCI UK | -0.51% | 5.43% | 10.72% | 21.06% | 51.95% |
| Index | 2026 in % | 2025 in % | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI UK | 13.02% | 18.03% | 16.29% | 3.06% | -3.50% | |
| FTSE 100 | 13.47% | 18.16% | 16.74% | 3.46% | -5.59% | |
| FTSE All-Share | 14.03% | 16.37% | 16.22% | 3.30% | -9.52% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30/09/2026; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best UK ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | UBS MSCI United Kingdom UCITS ETF GBP dis | 21.07% |
| 2 | UBS MSCI United Kingdom UCITS ETF GBP acc | 21.06% |
| 3 | UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-UKdis | 21.05% |
The cheapest UK ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
| 1 | HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP | 0.07% p.a. |
| 2 | iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (Acc) | 0.07% p.a. |
| 3 | iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (Dist) | 0.07% p.a. |
Alternative investment opportunities
UK indices on small and mid caps or equity strategies
Alternatively, you may invest in indices on small and mid caps or equity strategies. In total, you can invest in 5 alternative UK indices, which are tracked by 6 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on alternative UK indices is between 0.05% p.a. and 0.58% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE 250 | United Kingdom Mid Cap | 2 ETFs | 250 | The FTSE 250 index tracks 250 of the largest mid-cap companies based in the United Kingdom that are not included in the FTSE 100. Index factsheet |
| FTSE UK Dividend+ | United Kingdom Dividend | 1 ETF | 50 (27/02/2026) | The FTSE UK Dividend+ index tracks the highest yielding UK stocks. Index factsheet |
| MSCI UK Small Cap | United Kingdom Small Cap | 1 ETF | 193 (30/09/2026) | The MSCI UK Small Cap index tracks UK small cap stocks. Index factsheet |
| S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | United Kingdom Dividend | 1 ETF | 38 (27/02/2026) | The S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats index tracks UK companies whose dividends have risen in the last 7 consecutive years. Index factsheet |
| Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap | United Kingdom Social/Environmental | 1 ETF | 72 (09/03/2026) | The Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap index tracks the UK equity market and measures the performance of large and mid-cap publicly traded companies which satisfy minimum criteria relating to liquidity and size and excludes companies: (a) engaged in pure coal mining; (b) involved in the production of controversial weapons, such as cluster weapons, anti-personnel mines or biological and chemical weapons; or (c) that, for a continuous period of three years, have been classified as being in breach of at least one of the UN Global Compact principles. Index factsheet |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m CHF | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF DistributingIE00BKX55Q28 | 1,702 | 0.10% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| iShares UK Dividend UCITS ETFIE00B0M63060 | 1,387 | 0.40% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| iShares FTSE 250 UCITS ETFIE00B00FV128 | 712 | 0.40% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| L&G UK Equity UCITS ETF GBP AccIE00BFXR5R48 | 212 | 0.05% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Full replication | |
| State Street SPDR S&P UK Dividend Aristocrats UCITS ETF GBPIE00B6S2Z822 | 156 | 0.30% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| iShares MSCI UK Small Cap UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B3VWLG82 | 108 | 0.58% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Optimized sampling |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI UK Small Cap | -0.99% | 9.43% | 21.04% | 15.86% | 42.55% | |
| FTSE 250 | 0.07% | 11.32% | 25.09% | 19.14% | 46.37% | |
| Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap | -0.46% | 5.26% | 11.05% | 19.80% | 52.22% | |
| S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | -0.53% | 8.28% | 20.73% | 22.43% | 55.57% | |
| FTSE UK Dividend+ | -0.20% | 7.10% | 15.45% | 28.01% | 77.08% |
| Index | 2026 in % | 2025 in % | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI UK Small Cap | 12.52% | 8.42% | 13.04% | 4.75% | -30.31% | |
| Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap | 15.26% | 17.72% | 17.84% | 2.60% | -5.08% | |
| FTSE 250 | 16.09% | 5.99% | 14.89% | 3.55% | -25.46% | |
| S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | 16.20% | 10.00% | 17.65% | 1.90% | -17.33% | |
| FTSE UK Dividend+ | 17.00% | 24.05% | 19.33% | 1.91% | -11.35% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30/09/2026; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
Europe indices with a large UK share
Besides UK ETFs you may invest in ETFs on the European stock market. In total, you can invest in 3 indices on Europe, which are tracked by 16 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Europe indices is between 0.06% p.a. and 0.35% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Europe | Europe UK: 22.84% (27/02/2026) | 10 ETFs | 386 (30/09/2026) | The MSCI Europe index tracks large and mid-cap stocks from European developed countries. Index factsheet |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | Europe UK: 25.60% (27/02/2026) | 1 ETF | 50 | The STOXX® Europe 50 index tracks 50 European large cap stocks. Index factsheet |
| STOXX® Europe 600 | Europe UK: 23.20% (27/02/2026) | 5 ETFs | 600 | The STOXX® Europe 600 index tracks the 600 largest European companies. Index factsheet |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m CHF | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE00B4K48X80 | 14,625 | 0.12% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)IE00B1YZSC51 | 9,762 | 0.12% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF (DE)DE0002635307 | 8,746 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Germany | Full replication | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Europe UCITS ETF 1CLU0274209237 | 7,027 | 0.12% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| UBS Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR disLU0446734104 | 1,506 | 0.06% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| BNP Paribas Easy STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETFFR0011550193 | 1,005 | 0.19% p.a. | Accumulating | France | Unfunded swap | |
| UBS Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR accLU0950668524 | 697 | 0.06% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| Amundi MSCI Europe UCITS ETF AccFR0010261198 | 558 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | France | Full replication | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETFIE0008470928 | 520 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| Invesco STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWW18 | 468 | 0.19% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Unfunded swap | |
| State Street SPDR MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EURIE00BKWQ0Q14 | 362 | 0.08% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Full replication | |
| HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EURIE00B5BD5K76 | 328 | 0.10% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| BNP Paribas Easy STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETFFR0011550672 | 261 | 0.19% p.a. | Distributing | France | Unfunded swap | |
| BNP Paribas Easy MSCI Europe UCITS ETF AccLU3086268573 | 110 | 0.06% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| Invesco MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00B60SWY32 | 51 | 0.19% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Unfunded swap | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)IE0004YCLDW1 | 9 | 0.07% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STOXX® Europe 600 | -1.85% | 2.00% | 14.83% | 18.20% | 50.10% | |
| MSCI Europe | -1.87% | 1.72% | 14.86% | 18.20% | 49.40% | |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | -1.55% | 1.30% | 14.98% | 19.15% | 43.61% |
| Index | 2026 in % | 2025 in % | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Europe | 11.54% | 18.69% | 10.63% | 9.23% | -13.93% | |
| STOXX® Europe 600 | 11.65% | 19.08% | 10.45% | 9.11% | -15.06% | |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | 12.41% | 16.03% | 9.86% | 8.19% | -6.90% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30/09/2026; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.