What is a Managed ISA?
Investing can seem confusing. Whether you're just starting out or you're already invested, you might lack the time or confidence to choose and manage your investments. That's why Vanguard created the Managed ISA.
We'll help you understand your attitude to risk before we match you to the right investments, and then we'll handle the rest.
Why choose our Managed ISA?
Confidence
Knowing your ISA is in the trusted hands of our experts.
Ease
Our experts adjust your portfolio should markets rise or fall, so you don’t have to.
Help at hand
If you ever need us, you can call our team for support.
What our clients say
"I'm confident that Vanguard knows what they're doing. There's a reason why your funds are used worldwide!"
East London
"I feel it's good value for money...and it gives me peace of mind that someone else is managing my ISA."
London
How does it work?
Tell us about yourself
Before opening your Managed ISA, you'll answer a few questions to help us understand your attitude to risk.
A portfolio designed for you
Once we know your attitude to risk and how much you'd like to invest, we create an investment plan for you to review.
Leave it to our experts
Once you've reviewed your plan and are happy, we'll finish setting up your account. Then it's over to our experts to manage it.
Ongoing guidance and support
You'll receive regular market updates and an annual review so you remain in the know as we manage your investments.
Is a Managed ISA right for you?
New to investing or already started but do not have the confidence to choose your own investments.
Lack time to learn and research about the markets.
Looking for extra support in your investments.
You are confident and know what you want to invest in.
Enjoy spending time researching the market and managing your investments.
Already have a Vanguard Managed Personal Pension.
Client case study
One of our clients, Brian, from London, explains why he invested in our Managed ISA.
Before investing
Brian was putting money aside for savings, but didn’t know what to do with the cash. He thought to himself, "what am I doing with these savings?"
Why a Managed ISA?
- Brian heard from a friend he should consider investing and found Vanguard’s Managed ISA in his search.
- Managed ISA suits him as he’s short on time, has a busy job and would rather ‘rely on someone that knows what they’re doing’ when it comes to investing.

Approach and goals
- Brian tops up his Managed ISA monthly. When he can add extra cash, he does.
- His goal is to get to a point where he can maximise his yearly ISA allowance of £20,000.
- He has confidence that he’s in safe hands with Vanguard and getting value. And he doesn’t have to ‘do’ anything.
“No one ever taught me, they don’t teach you these things. I saw Managed ISA as an option on Vanguard, and then I wasn’t scared. Someone else will do it for me and I can just keep an eye on them.”
Transfer to our Managed ISA
With another provider?
If you have an ISA with another provider you can transfer to us after you have opened a Managed ISA account.
Convert to a Managed ISA
You can change the ISA you manage yourself to one managed by us.
Prefer to do it yourself?
Build your own portfolio
If you’re a hands-on investor you can build your own portfolio using our individual funds. You can choose from a wide range of fund types to suit your investment style and attitude to risk.
Pick a ready-made portfolio
Keep things simple and pick one of our ready-made portfolios. Each portfolio balances risk and reward by mixing bonds and shares. Pick the one that suits your goal and attitude to risk.
The cost of investing
How much you’re charged depends on the value of your invested balance, type of account and the fund charges.
Our fees
|
Any balance |
Account fee (from 28 February 2025)
|
0.15% a year (max £375 a year) |
Fund management fee | 0.17% a year on average (depends on your portfolio) |
Management fee | 0.20% a year |
You can find out more about what our account fees are until 28 February 2025
You can find our fund management fees for each fund on our fees and charges page
What this could mean for you if you invested:
Investing £10,000 in a Managed ISA
Account fee £15 a year |
+ |
Fund management fee £17 a year |
+ |
Management fee £20 a year |
= |
Total £52 a year |
- These examples are only to give you an indication. We’ve used an average fund management fee, which may vary depending on your portfolio.
- Your account fee may be different where you have both Managed and Self Managed accounts. Find out more about our account fee
Investing £10,000 in a Self-managed ISA
Account fee £48 a year |
+ |
Fund management fee £26 a year |
= |
Total £74 a year |
These examples are only to give you an indication. We assume you invested into one of our LifeStrategy Funds. We’ve shown average fund management fees, which may vary depending on your portfolio.
Why is the account fee different for our Managed ISA?
We’re committed to helping individuals throughout their investment journey – from getting started to achieving their lifetime goals. For our Managed ISA service, we’ve carefully considered the benefits of lowering the cost of entry to give more people a helping hand with investing their money.
Important things to know
You can apply for a Stocks and Shares ISA if:
- you’re at least 18 years old
- you’re a UK resident
- you do not live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- you’re not a US tax resident or US citizen
What you need to open a Managed ISA
- name, address and phone number
- date of birth
- debit card details (if you’re making a lump sum payment)
- bank account details - a minimum investment requirement is £100 a month by Direct Debit
- National Insurance number
The minimum is a single payment of £500. You can also set up a monthly payment from £100. You can change this amount whenever you like.
You can now pay into more than one ISA in the same tax year. But you can only have one Managed ISA with us.
For example, you could open a Vanguard Managed ISA and a stocks and shares or cash ISA with another provider in the same tax year. You just need to make sure you do not go over your ISA allowance of £20,000.
No, transfers do not use up your ISA allowance.
Have another question?
Search our FAQs, ask our chatbot or send us a message.
Go to help and supportImportant account documents
Read these documents carefully before you apply to open an account.
Regulated
We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Secure
We keep your personal information and investments safe at all times.
Covered
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.