Who pays my brokerage transfer fee when I switch?

Several Canadian brokers reimburse the transfer-out fee your old brokerage charges, usually up to about $150 per account, when your transfer meets a minimum size. The reimbursement covers the fee rather than paying you. Conditions and minimums vary by broker.

How much is a brokerage transfer-out fee in Canada?

A full account transfer out of a Big Five bank brokerage typically costs about $135 to $150 plus tax, charged per account. Some online brokers charge nothing to transfer out. Confirm the exact fee with your current brokerage before starting.

Do I lose contribution room when I transfer a TFSA or RRSP?

No, not if you move it as a direct institution-to-institution transfer rather than withdrawing the money. A direct transfer keeps the account registered and preserves your contribution room. Withdrawing first can cost you room and trigger tax.

Brokerage Transfer Fee & Reimbursement Calculator

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Transfer fee reimbursement calculator

Switching brokerages usually means a transfer-out fee of about $150 per account. Pick where you are and where you want to go to see the fee to leave and whether the new broker covers it.

Last reviewed June 2026

Where your account is now The brokerage you would transfer out of.

Where you want to move it The brokerage receiving your accounts.

Number of accounts moving Transfer-out fees are usually charged per account.

Total amount moving (CAD)

Some reimbursement offers require a minimum transfer size.

What it costs to make this move

1.How the math works. The fee to leave is your current broker's transfer-out fee multiplied by the number of accounts you move, since the fee is usually charged per account. The reimbursement is what the receiving broker covers, up to its cap per account, when your transfer meets the broker's minimum size. A fully covered move shows a net cost near zero.

2.Bonuses are separate. Several brokers also pay a cash or share bonus on transfers, on top of covering the fee. Those are listed on the current bonuses page and are not included in the net cost here.

3.Conditions vary. Reimbursement offers commonly require a minimum transfer size, exclude certain account types, limit one reimbursement per client, or ask you to submit a statement showing the fee. Read the receiving broker's terms first.

4.Estimates only. Transfer-out fees and reimbursement offers are promotional and change often. Figures here are representative and must be confirmed directly with both brokerages before you act. Move registered accounts such as a TFSA or RRSP by direct transfer, not by withdrawing, to keep the tax shelter and your contribution room.

5.Sources. Built from each broker's published transfer and reimbursement policies. Full methodology: disclosures.

Transfer fee reimbursement calculator

Broker Guide Canada