Invest · Broker review
DEGIRO
Low-cost European broker — cheap commissions but watch the FX fee
$25 more per $10,000 than Interactive Brokers (FX cost only)
Not financial advice.This is a comparison of FX costs only. We don't recommend specific investments. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before investing.
Verdict
DEGIRO is one of the best options for European investors wanting access to global markets. Its FX fee of €2.50 + 0.25% is competitive, and its commissions are low. Now owned by flatexDEGIRO, it's well-regulated under BaFin. The main limitation: no ISA for UK investors (Trading 212 or InvestEngine is better for that).
Full review
DEGIRO was founded in Amsterdam in 2013 and has become one of Europe's leading discount brokers, operating across more than 18 European countries. In 2021 it was acquired by flatexDEGIRO (FFMN on Deutsche Börse), creating one of the largest retail broking groups in Europe. It is regulated in the Netherlands by AFM (financial markets authority) and DNB (central bank), with appropriate local licences in each European country of operation.
The fee structure is DEGIRO's primary selling point: EUR 1–2 per trade for European ETFs (many of which are free on the "Core Selection" ETF list), USD 0.50–1 per US stock trade plus USD 1 exchange connectivity fee, and FX conversion at a €2.50 flat fee plus 0.25% spread — competitive for European retail brokers. For EU-based investors making regular purchases of US stocks, DEGIRO's FX cost is significantly cheaper than HL's 1% rate or typical bank wire FX costs.
The Core Selection ETF programme is particularly valuable: over 200 ETFs from iShares, Vanguard, and other providers can be traded once per month without any dealing fee, making DEGIRO one of the cheapest routes for European passive investors regularly buying index ETFs. This programme has been a major driver of DEGIRO's growth among cost-focused EU investors.
The platform is functional rather than premium: the web interface and mobile app provide what's needed for basic order management and portfolio tracking, but the research tools are basic compared to Saxo or IBKR. There is no options trading in the standard offering (available to professional clients only) and no bonds. Customer service is primarily online with slower telephone availability than some competitors.
DEGIRO is best suited for cost-focused European investors (particularly Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Austria residents) who want the lowest possible dealing and FX fees for regular index ETF or US stock investing. UK residents post-Brexit cannot open DEGIRO accounts directly; the UK equivalent for similar cost positioning would be Trading 212 or InvestEngine.
FX cost breakdown
FX cost comparison on $10,000 investment
Pros & cons
Pros
- Low commissions (€2–3 on most European and US stocks)
- Available across EU and UK
- BaFin regulated (Germany)
- Access to 50+ global exchanges
- No minimum deposit
Cons
- FX fee of €2.50 + 0.25% per conversion
- No ISA wrapper for UK investors
- Research tools are basic
- No options trading for retail clients in many EU jurisdictions
Who can use it
Markets available
Supported corridors
Regulated by
Frequently asked questions
Is DEGIRO available in the UK after Brexit?
Yes. DEGIRO has a UK entity regulated by the FCA. UK investors can use DEGIRO, but there is no Stocks & Shares ISA wrapper — for tax-sheltered investing, Trading 212, Freetrade, or InvestEngine are needed instead.
Invest by market & home country
See how DEGIRO compares for your specific home country and target market — with FX cost, regulation, and tax notes.
US stocks
S&P 500
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global ETFs
MSCI World / FTSE All-World
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UK stocks
FTSE 100
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emerging markets
MSCI Emerging Markets
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Indian stocks
Nifty 50
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European stocks
EURO STOXX 50
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bonds and fixed income
Bloomberg Global Aggregate
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REITs
FTSE NAREIT All REITs
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