You must be at least 18 years old to open your own brokerage account and invest in stocks directly. This is the legal age requirement in many countries, including the US and UK

. However, minors under 18 can still invest in stocks through custodial accounts, which are opened and managed by a parent, guardian, or another adult on their behalf. The adult custodian controls the account until the minor reaches the age of majority (usually 18), at which point the account and assets transfer to the minor

. Some platforms, like Fidelity, offer youth accounts that allow teens as young as 13 to start investing with parental supervision

. In summary:

• Age 18 is generally required to open and control a stock brokerage account yourself.
• Under 18, you can invest via custodial accounts managed by an adult.
• Starting early with adult help can be beneficial for learning and long-term wealth building.

Thus, while you must be 18 to invest independently, younger individuals can still participate in the stock market with adult assistance