DEGIRO Review 2026: Our Complete Analysis
Last updated: 15/01/2026 · view the full broker profile
If you are looking for a low-cost broker to invest in stocks and ETFs across global markets, this DEGIRO review will give you everything you need to make an informed decision. DEGIRO has grown into one of Europe's most popular retail brokers since its founding in Amsterdam in 2008, now serving over 2.5 million clients across 18 EU countries. In this complete review of DEGIRO, we examine regulation, fees, platforms, instruments, and real trading conditions to help you decide whether this broker suits your needs in 2026.
Detailed Scoring
| Criterion | Score | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation & Security | 9/10 | BaFin banking license, AFM supervision, 100K EUR deposit guarantee |
| Trading Fees | 9/10 | Among the lowest in Europe; 200+ free ETFs |
| Platform & Tools | 7/10 | Clean and functional, but no desktop app or advanced charting |
| Instruments | 6/10 | Excellent for cash equities; no CFDs, forex, or crypto |
| Deposits & Withdrawals | 8/10 | Free SEPA, fast Trustly; currency conversion fee applies |
| Education & Support | 5/10 | Very limited educational content; no live chat or demo account |
| Overall | 7.5/10 | Best suited for long-term buy-and-hold investors |
About DEGIRO
DEGIRO was founded in 2008 in Amsterdam by former executives of BinckBank. The broker initially targeted professional and institutional investors before opening to retail clients in 2013. Its model was simple: strip out the costs and pass the savings to investors.
In 2020, DEGIRO merged with the German fintech flatex. The combined entity is now flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ETR:FTK). This merger brought a full German banking license under BaFin, meaningfully improving the regulatory framework for existing clients.
Today, DEGIRO operates from offices in Amsterdam and Frankfurt. It serves retail investors in 18 EU countries, offering trading access to more than 50 global stock exchanges. The broker's focus is exclusively on cash market investing — stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, and options — with no CFDs, forex, or crypto products.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Legal name | flatexDEGIRO Bank AG |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Listed | Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ETR:FTK) |
| Clients | 2,500,000+ |
| Countries served | 18 EU countries |
| Languages | EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL, PT, EL, DA, FI, SV, PL |
Regulation and Fund Security
DEGIRO is one of the more robustly regulated retail brokers available to European investors. As a fully licensed bank under BaFin, flatexDEGIRO Bank AG operates under Germany's stringent financial regulatory framework. This is not a typical investment firm license — it is a banking license, which imposes higher capital and governance requirements.
Regulators
| Regulator | Country | License Type |
|---|---|---|
| BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) | Germany | Full banking license |
| AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten) | Netherlands | Supervised investment firm |
| Deutsche Bundesbank | Germany | Supervisory oversight |
Fund Protection
- Deposit guarantee: Up to 100,000 EUR per client under the German statutory deposit guarantee scheme (Einlagensicherungsfonds).
- Securities investor compensation: Up to 20,000 EUR under the Dutch BeleggersCompensatieStelsel (BCS) scheme.
- Client funds: Segregated from company assets.
- Negative balance protection: Not applicable — DEGIRO is a cash broker, not a leveraged product provider (aside from margin accounts).
Is DEGIRO safe? Given the BaFin banking license, AFM supervision, Bundesbank oversight, public listing, and robust deposit protection, DEGIRO sits firmly at the top end of the regulatory spectrum for European retail brokers. The public listing on Frankfurt also requires ongoing financial transparency.
One nuance worth noting: DEGIRO uses a Securities Lending model in its Active account type. In this structure, your securities can be lent to third parties, which introduces a degree of counterparty risk. You can avoid this by using the Basic account.
Trading Conditions
DEGIRO operates exclusively on cash markets. There are no spreads to speak of — the broker charges fixed commissions per trade rather than variable spreads. This is a fundamental difference from CFD or forex brokers.
Commission Structure
| Market | Commission |
|---|---|
| Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels) | ~1 EUR + 1.50 EUR exchange fee |
| US markets (NYSE, NASDAQ) | ~0.50 EUR per trade |
| London Stock Exchange (LSE) | ~1.75 GBP + 0.03% |
| Xetra (Frankfurt) | ~3.90 EUR + 0.03% |
| 200+ Core Selection ETFs | Free (0 EUR commission) |
| Other international exchanges | Variable per market |
These are among the lowest commissions available to European retail investors. For long-term investors building a diversified portfolio, the cost advantage over traditional brokers is substantial.
Account Types
| Account | Description | Min. Deposit | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Standard cash account; no securities lending | 0 EUR | Standard rates |
| Active | Securities lending enabled; same commissions | 0 EUR | Standard rates |
| Trader | Margin trading via Debit Money feature | 0 EUR | Standard rates |
| Day Trader | Maximum leverage for intraday strategies | 0 EUR | Standard rates |
All account types share the same commission structure. The differences lie in whether you enable securities lending and what degree of margin you can access.
Key Trading Parameters
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Execution model | Direct market access (cash market) |
| Minimum order size | 1 share |
| Leverage (retail) | None (Basic/Active); variable margin for Trader/Day Trader |
| Fractional shares | Not available |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.25% per transaction |
| Scalping | Not applicable |
| Expert advisors (EAs) | Not supported |
| Trailing stop | Available |
The 0.25% currency conversion fee is worth keeping in mind if you trade US or UK stocks in currencies other than EUR. On a 10,000 EUR trade in USD-denominated stocks, that is 25 EUR in conversion costs.
Trading Platforms
DEGIRO does not offer MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or any third-party desktop platform. The broker provides its own proprietary tools.
DEGIRO WebTrader
The web platform is clean, well-organized, and straightforward to navigate. It provides:
- Portfolio overview with real-time valuations
- Order placement (market, limit, stop-loss, trailing stop)
- Basic charting tools
- Morningstar fundamental research data
- Price alerts
- Real-time quotes (available via paid subscription; delayed otherwise)
The interface prioritizes simplicity over sophistication. You can execute trades efficiently, but advanced charting — multiple indicators, drawing tools, or level 2 data — is not part of the offering.
DEGIRO Mobile App
Available for iOS and Android, the mobile app mirrors the web platform's core functionality. Order placement, portfolio monitoring, and price alerts all work smoothly on mobile. User reviews across app stores are generally positive, citing ease of use as a key strength.
Platform Summary
| Platform | Web | Mobile | Desktop | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEGIRO WebTrader | Yes | Yes | No | Main trading environment |
| DEGIRO Mobile App | No | Yes | No | iOS and Android |
What is missing: No desktop application, no advanced charting suite, no automated trading support, and no integration with third-party tools like TradingView. For active traders accustomed to professional platforms, this will feel limiting.
Additional Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Trackers Core Selection | List of 200+ commission-free ETFs |
| Real-time market data | Available via paid subscription |
| Price alerts | Configurable on WebTrader and app |
| Morningstar research | Fundamental data on stocks and funds |
Tradable Instruments
DEGIRO's instrument catalog is extensive within the cash market universe, but deliberately narrow in scope. If you want CFDs, forex, crypto, or leveraged products, this is not the right broker.
Instruments Overview
| Asset Class | Available | Approximate Count |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks (cash) | Yes | 50,000+ (50+ exchanges) |
| ETFs | Yes | 5,500+ |
| Futures | Yes | 500+ |
| Options | Yes | 50,000+ |
| Bonds | Yes | 2,000+ |
| Forex (spot/CFD) | No | — |
| Indices (CFD) | No | — |
| Commodities (CFD) | No | — |
| Crypto | No | — |
| Fractional shares | No | — |
Exchange Access
DEGIRO provides access to over 50 global exchanges, including:
- Europe: Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon), Xetra, LSE, Borsa Italiana, BME, SIX Swiss Exchange, Euronext Oslo, Nasdaq Helsinki, Warsaw Stock Exchange
- North America: NYSE, NASDAQ, NYSE American, TSX (Toronto)
- Asia-Pacific: Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Hong Kong Stock Exchange
- Others: Various additional international exchanges
This is a genuinely strong selection for a retail broker, particularly for investors wanting to hold non-European equities directly rather than through funds.
The Core Selection (Free ETFs)
DEGIRO maintains a rotating list of over 200 ETFs that can be traded commission-free (one free trade per ETF per day). This list includes major providers such as iShares, Vanguard, Xtrackers, and Amundi. For a passive investor building a low-cost indexed portfolio, this feature alone can represent significant annual savings.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Deposit Methods
| Method | Fee | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| SEPA bank transfer | Free | 1-2 business days |
| Trustly | Free | Instant |
| Apple Pay | Free | Instant |
| Google Pay | Free | Instant |
The minimum deposit is 0 EUR — you can open an account without making an initial deposit, though you will need funds to begin trading.
Withdrawal Methods
| Method | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| SEPA bank transfer | Free (first withdrawal per month) | 1-2 business days |
DEGIRO offers one free withdrawal per month. Additional withdrawals within the same calendar month may incur a fee (not disclosed in detail). Withdrawals are processed via SEPA only — there are no card withdrawals or e-wallet options.
Currency Considerations
DEGIRO accounts are denominated in EUR. If you invest in stocks listed in GBP, USD, or other currencies, a 0.25% conversion fee applies at the time of purchase and again at sale. For long-term investors making infrequent trades, this is manageable. For active traders dealing in multiple currencies, the costs accumulate.
There is no inactivity fee, which is a meaningful advantage for investors who hold positions long-term without frequent activity.
Customer Support and Education
Customer Support
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Available hours | 08:00 – 22:00 CET |
| Channels | Email, telephone |
| Languages | EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, NL, PT, EL, DA, FI, SV, PL |
| Live chat | Not available |
Support is available in 12 languages, which reflects the broker's pan-European reach. However, the absence of live chat is a notable gap. Many competing brokers now offer real-time chat as a standard channel. Email response times vary, and telephone support during peak hours can involve wait times.
Educational Resources
| Resource | Available |
|---|---|
| Demo account | No |
| eBooks / guides | No |
| Video tutorials | Limited |
| Webinars | No |
| Morningstar research | Yes (on platform) |
| Help center / FAQ | Yes |
DEGIRO's educational offering is minimal. The broker explicitly targets investors who already understand markets and want to minimize costs — not beginners who need hand-holding. The platform's help center covers account mechanics and order types, but there is no structured learning curriculum.
The absence of a demo account is a significant limitation for newer investors. You cannot practice order placement or familiarize yourself with the platform without committing real capital.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Ultra-low commissions: Approximately 1 EUR + 1.50 EUR on Euronext; approximately 0.50 EUR on US stocks
- 200+ free ETFs: The Core Selection allows commission-free ETF investing, ideal for passive strategies
- Global exchange access: 50+ exchanges across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific
- Strong regulation: BaFin banking license, AFM supervision, 100,000 EUR deposit guarantee
- No minimum deposit: You can open an account with zero initial capital
- No inactivity fee: Hold positions long-term without cost penalties
- Public company: Transparency and accountability via Frankfurt Stock Exchange listing
- 2.5 million+ clients: Established and trusted European broker
Cons
- No CFDs, forex, or crypto: DEGIRO is strictly a cash market broker
- No fractional shares: You must purchase whole shares, which limits access to high-priced stocks
- No demo account: New investors cannot practice before committing real money
- 0.25% currency conversion fee: Adds cost for non-EUR investments
- No live chat support: Email and phone only
- Very limited education: No webinars, no structured courses, limited videos
- No interest on uninvested cash: Competing brokers such as Trade Republic offer up to 4% on cash balances
- No desktop application: Web and mobile only
Comparison with Direct Competitors
DEGIRO competes primarily with low-cost European brokers targeting buy-and-hold and passive investors.
| Criterion | DEGIRO | Trade Republic | XTB | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | BaFin (bank) + AFM | BaFin (bank) | FCA, CySEC, KNF | FCA, SEC, FINRA + others |
| Min. deposit | 0 EUR | 1 EUR | 0 EUR | 0 USD |
| Commission (EU stocks) | ~1 EUR + 1.50 EUR | 1 EUR flat | 0% (up to 100K/mo) | 0.05% (min 1.25 EUR) |
| Free ETFs | 200+ (Core Selection) | All ETFs free | All ETFs 0% | Limited |
| Cash interest rate | None | Up to 4% (EUR) | 4.2% (cash balances) | Up to 4.58% (USD) |
| CFDs / Forex | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes (stocks-based) | No | Limited |
| Fractional shares | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | No | No | Yes | Yes (paper trading) |
| Platforms | Web + mobile | Mobile-first | xStation (desktop) | TWS (professional) |
| Exchange access | 50+ exchanges | Limited | Limited | 150+ exchanges |
Summary: DEGIRO wins on exchange breadth and options/futures access. Trade Republic wins on cash interest and fractional shares. XTB wins on educational content and platform quality. Interactive Brokers wins on professional-grade tools and global market access, though at greater complexity.
Our Experience with DEGIRO
Account Opening and KYC
The account opening process is fully online and straightforward. You provide standard personal details, upload a government-issued ID, and complete a suitability questionnaire. For basic stock and ETF trading, verification typically completes within one business day. The process complies with EU GDPR requirements and is less cumbersome than many traditional brokers.
More complex products (futures, options) require you to confirm relevant knowledge and experience through an additional questionnaire. DEGIRO will restrict access to certain instruments if your stated experience does not meet the required threshold.
Platform and Order Execution
Navigating the WebTrader is intuitive. Finding a stock, reviewing basic fundamental data via Morningstar, and placing a limit order takes under two minutes once you are familiar with the layout. Real-time quotes require a paid subscription per exchange — without it, quotes are delayed by 15 minutes. For active traders, this is an operational limitation; for long-term investors making monthly purchases, it matters much less.
Order types available include market orders, limit orders, stop-loss orders, and trailing stop orders. There is no one-click trading or advanced order routing. Execution on liquid markets (Euronext, NYSE) is fast, consistent with direct exchange access.
Deposits and First Trade
SEPA transfers arrive within one to two business days. Trustly and Apple/Google Pay deposits are credited near-instantly, which is useful if you want to act quickly on a price move. The first trade on the Core Selection ETF list — say, a position in a Vanguard FTSE All-World ETF — costs nothing in commission and can be executed for any amount above one share price.
Withdrawal Experience
Withdrawals via SEPA are processed within one to two business days. One free withdrawal per month is sufficient for most investors. The process is initiated directly from the platform with no apparent complications or delays beyond the stated timeframe.
Support Interaction
Testing email support yielded a response within approximately 24 hours on a standard account query. Phone support was available within the stated hours. The absence of live chat is genuinely felt when a quick operational question arises — you either wait for an email or navigate the help center, which does not always cover edge cases.
Pros and Cons (Summary)
The full pros and cons are listed in the dedicated section above. In brief: DEGIRO is an excellent tool for cost-conscious, self-directed investors focused on equities and ETFs. It is not the right choice for traders seeking leverage, real-time professional tools, crypto exposure, or active support.
FAQ
1. Is DEGIRO regulated and safe to use? Yes. DEGIRO operates under flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, which holds a full banking license from BaFin (Germany) and is supervised by the AFM (Netherlands) and Deutsche Bundesbank. Client deposits are protected up to 100,000 EUR under the German deposit guarantee scheme, and securities are protected up to 20,000 EUR under the Dutch BCS. The company is publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
2. What are DEGIRO's fees for buying stocks and ETFs? For Euronext-listed stocks, the fee is approximately 1 EUR plus a 1.50 EUR exchange connectivity fee. For US stocks (NYSE/NASDAQ), the fee is approximately 0.50 EUR. Over 200 ETFs on the Core Selection list can be traded commission-free (one free trade per ETF per day). There is no annual account fee and no inactivity fee.
3. Does DEGIRO offer a demo account? No. DEGIRO does not offer a paper trading or demo account. You must deposit real funds and trade with actual capital from the outset. This is a notable limitation for new investors.
4. Can I trade forex, CFDs, or crypto on DEGIRO? No. DEGIRO is a cash market broker exclusively. There are no forex pairs, no CFD products, and no cryptocurrency trading available. If you need these instruments, you will need to use a different broker alongside DEGIRO.
5. Does DEGIRO offer fractional shares? No. You must purchase whole shares. This means that for high-priced stocks — for example, those trading above 1,000 EUR per share — you need sufficient capital for at least one full unit.
6. What is the minimum deposit at DEGIRO? The minimum deposit is 0 EUR. You can open and verify an account without making any initial deposit, though you will need funds in your account to place trades.
7. How does the 0.25% currency conversion fee work? When you buy a stock listed in a currency other than EUR (for example, USD or GBP), DEGIRO automatically converts your EUR at the prevailing exchange rate plus a 0.25% fee. The same fee applies when you sell and convert back to EUR. Over many transactions, this cost is worth factoring into your total return calculation.
8. Does DEGIRO pay interest on uninvested cash? No. DEGIRO does not currently pay interest on cash held in your account. This contrasts with brokers such as Trade Republic (up to 4% EUR) and XTB (up to 4.2%), which offer cash interest. For investors holding significant idle cash, this is a meaningful opportunity cost.
9. What tax reporting does DEGIRO provide? DEGIRO provides an annual tax report and portfolio statement that you can download from your account. In most EU countries, you are responsible for declaring capital gains and dividend income yourself. In the UK, capital gains on stocks and ETFs are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT); the annual CGT exemption and applicable rates depend on your personal circumstances and HMRC guidance. In France, the Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique (PFU) of 30% applies to capital gains and dividends by default. DEGIRO does not operate a Stocks and Shares ISA wrapper for UK investors. Always consult a qualified tax adviser for your specific situation.
10. How does DEGIRO compare to Interactive Brokers for active traders? For active traders and investors requiring professional-grade tools, Interactive Brokers is generally the stronger choice: it offers TWS desktop platform, superior order routing, access to 150+ exchanges, options on a wider range of underlyings, and better margin rates. DEGIRO wins on simplicity and lower fixed commissions for straightforward buy-and-hold European stock and ETF investing. The right choice depends on your trading frequency, instrument needs, and platform requirements.
Verdict
Reviewed in 2026, DEGIRO remains one of the most compelling low-cost brokers in Europe for a specific type of investor: the self-directed, cost-conscious buyer of stocks and ETFs who does not need leverage, CFDs, or exotic instruments.
The BaFin banking license and 100,000 EUR deposit protection place DEGIRO's regulatory standing firmly above most retail CFD brokers. The commission structure — approximately 1 EUR per Euronext trade, 0.50 EUR for US stocks, and 200+ ETFs completely free — is hard to beat for passive and semi-active strategies.
Where DEGIRO falls short is equally clear. There is no demo account, no live chat, no interest on cash, no fractional shares, and no products beyond cash markets. The platform is functional but not sophisticated. For active traders, the tool set is insufficient. For beginners who need structured education and practice accounts, DEGIRO is not the best starting point.
Who DEGIRO is best for:
- Long-term investors building diversified equity or ETF portfolios
- Cost-focused investors making regular purchases across European and global markets
- Experienced investors who already understand markets and do not need educational support
- Investors prioritizing regulatory strength and deposit protection
Who should look elsewhere:
- Active traders or day traders requiring advanced platforms and real-time data
- Investors who want CFDs, forex, crypto, or leveraged products
- Beginners who need a demo account and structured learning
- Those wanting interest income on uninvested cash
Final score: 7.5/10
Trading involves risk of capital loss.
Article by the Analyse Trading team (@analysetrading) · Updated 15/01/2026 · view the full broker profile
Disclaimer: Trading involves high risk of capital loss. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.