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Compare brokers in Europe

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Compare the fees, interest on cash and investor protection of the main brokers available in Europe, side by side.

Glossary

How do I choose a broker in Europe?

Start with what you will buy and how often. If you invest a fixed amount every month in ETFs, look for free savings plans. If you buy US stocks, the currency conversion fee matters as much as the commission. Then check that the broker accepts clients from your country, which entity will hold your account and how your money is protected. For a shortlist, see our ranking of the best brokers in Europe and of the best brokers for ETFs.

What happens to my investments if the broker goes bankrupt?

Your shares and ETFs are held in your name and kept separate from the broker's own assets, so they should be returned to you. If securities go missing, the investor compensation scheme of the broker's home country steps in, usually up to €20,000 per client. In some countries, such as Germany and Ireland, it covers 90% of the loss up to that limit. We explain how this works at Trade Republic, Trading 212 and XTB.

Is the cash in my account protected?

It depends on where the cash is held. If the broker is a bank or places your cash with partner banks, the deposit guarantee scheme covers up to €100,000 per person and per bank. Cash held in money market funds is not a deposit and has no such guarantee. At brokers that are not banks, uninvested cash is only covered by the investor compensation scheme, usually up to €20,000.

Fixed or Tiered at Interactive Brokers?

Tiered is usually cheaper for small orders, because the minimum commission is €1.25 instead of €3, even after adding clearing and regulatory fees. For large orders the two plans cost about the same. Some examples on Xetra:

  • €100 ETF order: €1.28 with Tiered and €3 with Fixed
  • €1,000 ETF order: €1.29 with Tiered and €3 with Fixed
  • €10,000 ETF order: €5.11 with Tiered and €5 with Fixed
  • €100 a month for a year: about €15.37 with Tiered and €36 with Fixed
How can I reduce currency conversion costs?

Buy ETFs listed in euros, which covers most global index funds sold in Europe. For US stocks, compare the conversion fee: it ranges from 0.03% at Interactive Brokers to 0.75% at eToro. Some brokers quote US stocks directly in euros on German exchanges, so the cost sits in the spread instead of a separate fee.

What is a savings plan?

An automatic order that invests a fixed amount in the same ETF or stock every month. Many investing apps run savings plans with no commission and let you start from €1, buying fractions of a share.

Why are taxes not included?

Tax on dividends and capital gains depends on your country of residence. Some brokers withhold tax or prepare a tax report for certain countries, while others leave the declaration entirely to you. Check this with the broker for your country before you open an account.

How often is the data updated?

We check the fees and conditions on each broker's official pages regularly, and the date of the last check appears at the top of the comparator. Fees can change, so confirm the current fee schedule on the broker's site before you invest.