DEGIRO entered the broker market in 2013. But since then, it has managed to become one of the sector’s power, with over 2.5 million users and a presence in 18 European countries ā if you are not based in one of these 18 European countries you’ll need an alternative broker.
Heads up! I’ve been a long-time user of DEGIRO and I’m also a certified EFPA (European Financial Advisor) with membership number #37363. So, I’m super excited to spill the beans on all the ins and outs of this platform in this review.
Josep GarciaFinancial Advisor
They claim their platform is transparent with market-leading commissions. This broker is registered and regulated in Germany and the Netherlands, and supervised by financial watchdogs like the British FCA (Financial Conduct Authority).
But naturally, you might still be asking yourself: “What securities do they offer? Are their fees really as low as they claim? Is the system user-friendly? Will it adapt to your investor profile? And, ultimately, will it work for you?”
Let’s DEGIRO out!
DEGIRO Review in Video
I’ve put together a video where I’ll walk you through my DEGIRO account and highlight its key features as an online broker. Plus, I’ll share my own experience on the strengths and weaknesses of DEGIRO.
DEGIRO Review Veredict
DEGIRO, known for its versatility, offers a broad spectrum of instruments tradable across many markets.Ā The trading platform is intuitive and user-friendly, equipped with numerous research tools, such as financial ratios for investments.
However, be aware that it doesn’t offer the lowest transaction fees. For those interested in trading forex or cryptocurrencies via CFDs, DEGIRO might not be the ideal choice. Consider exploring Plus500 or eToro instead, keeping in mind that availability is subject to regulation.
DEGIRO Pros & Cons
Pros
Ease of Use
It’s evident that DEGIRO’s team has invested considerable effort in creating an intuitive system. Beginners will find it easy to navigate DEGIRO’s platform and start investing. However, it’s important to remember that this does not eliminate the inherent risks.
Open an account online
You can fully open an account online within hours by providing the required documents (such as ID and a copy of an invoice). Additionally, you can instantly link your account by making a small bank transfer.
Securities Choice & Markets
Using DEGIRO you can invest in stocks, ETFs, funds, options, bonds, futures of many European and Asian countries as well as the US, Canada and Australia.
Regulated
You can be confident that DEGIRO is not a financial scam, it’s properly regulated by the Dutch Financial Supervisory Authority. Additionally, it holds proper registration with the British Financial Conduct Authority.
Leverage Is Optional
Choose to open an account that allows you to trade with leverage (by borrowing) or without leverage. I like this flexibility. Not all DEGIRO accounts allow leverage.
Cons
No Forex or Crypto
You will not be able to invest in currencies or cryptocurrencies. At most, you can look for an instrument (e.g. ETF) that invests in these instruments. It is also not possible to invest in CFDs.
No Demo Account
Although it is possible to use their platform for free (no inactivity fee), you will not be able to use the account in a simulated way with fictitious money as they do not have a demo version. Check eToro or XTBĀ if youād like to have access to a demo account.
Markets Fee
For each market besides your home market that you invest in, you’ll be charged ā¬2.50 per year.
Delayed Prices
The asset prices you find at DEGIRO’s broker are 15 minutes delayed. If you need real-time prices, you would have to pay an annual fee for them.
Fractional Stocks
Aren’t offered by DEGIRO. Users looking to invest minimal amounts (e.g. $10) may need to look elsewhere.
Type of accounts with DEGIRO
DEGIRO offers several account types, let me clarify what each account offers and help you decide which one suits you best. You can choose between Custody, Basic, Active, Trader and Day Trader accounts.
| Custody | Basic | Active | Trader | Day Trader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities lending (to other investors) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time commission-free pricing with Euronext | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trade stocks ETFs, funds and bonds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leveraged products and warrants | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Derivatives such as options and futures | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trade using your margin (leverage) | No | No | Yes
50% of margin |
Yes
100% of margin |
Yes
100% of margin + extra |
| Short trading | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
With the Custody profile, your investments will not be lent to third parties. With this type of account some commissions are a little higher, and you will not be able to trade some assets like options and futures.
If you don’t mind DEGIRO lending your securities to others, and you don’t need to trade with leverage, I would suggest you start by opening a Basic account – you can always upgrade your profile later on.
If you want to be able to borrow money from DEGIRO, to trade with leverage, and have the ability to trade futures, options and go short, consider the Active, Trader and Day Trader profiles. Choose the one that best suits your leverage needs, as this is the only difference between these account types.
Requirements
Apart from completing the registration correctly, linking an account in your name, and providing DEGIRO with the necessary information to verify your identity and residence, there aren’t many other requirements.
Just keep in mind that not all countries are accepted. But DEGIRO can be used in most European countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Germany, France or Italy. Sadly, it cannot be used in non-European countries such as the United States or Australia.
Opening an account
Opening an account with DEGIRO is straightforward. All you have to do is follow these steps:
- On their website, click on ‘Open an account.’
- Add your email address, pick a username and password.
- Verify your email account
- Fill in the requested information: personal details, address, place of birth, etc.
- Add the number of the bank account you want to link.
- Verify that your information is correct
- Upload a photo of your ID card or passport.
Once you have completed all of this information and uploaded the required documents, they will review your application and inform you of the next steps. You will usually be asked to make a transfer from your account (this can be as low as ā¬/Ā£0.01) to activate DEGIRO.
DEGIRO In Detail
DEGIRO Commissions in Detail
As I mentioned before, DEGIRO is transparent with their fees. However, they can’t claim to have the lowest cost when trading shares, ETFs or any other asset.
DEGIRO does not charge fees for: account inactivity, deposits or withdrawals, account opening or closing.
Additionally, there is a promotion featuring about 200 ETFs, allowing monthly investments at no charge (minimum ā¬/Ā£1,000, terms apply).
Below, find a summarized overview of the fees DEGIRO charges, categorized by different operations:
| Instrument | Commission |
|---|---|
| London Stock Exchange | Ā£1.75 + (Ā£1 handeling fee)* per transaction |
| US stocks | ā¬1 (+ ā¬1 handling fee) per transaction |
| European stocks | ā¬3.90 + ā¬1* per transaction |
| Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore stocks | ā¬5 + ā¬1* per transaction |
| ETF | ā¬2 (+ ā¬1 handeling fee)* per transaction
About 200 free with conditions |
| Mutual Funds | ā¬3.90 + 0.20%* |
| Bonds | ā¬ 2** |
|
Options Spain, Germany, Nordic countries and the US |
ā¬0.75 per contract |
|
Futures Spain, Germany, Nordics and US |
ā¬0.75 per contract |
* Handeling fee. ** The handeling fee needs to be added.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that you will be charged for the following:
Market connectivity:Ā For each market besides your home one (e.g. German market if you live in the UK), you will be charged an annual fee of ā¬2.5. If you operate in 3 or 4 markets, this will not be a big problem, but keep in mind that if you are going to operate in many markets at the same time, this can cost you a lot of money. However, it will never be more than 0.25% of the maximum value of your DEGIRO account.
Financing fees:If you plan to trade with leverage, similar to borrowing money from your broker, this has a daily cost (in interest) that the broker will pass on to you. This will depend on the amount you borrow and the currency, with rates from 1% to 2%.
Foreign exchange fees:Similarly, if you trade securities in currencies apart from your DEGIRO account currency (e.g. Swiss francs), you will be charged a 0.25% exchange rate fee.
With DEGIRO, there are other non-standard service fees that you can request, such as portfolio transfers, stock exchange changes, attendance at shareholder meetings, payments with Sofort and Trustly, etc.
DEGIRO Markets & Products
DEGIRO is one of the brokers that gives you access to the largest number of assets; 50 markets from around 30 different countries. In addition, the variety of investment products are diverse and exciting, you can invest in the following:
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Investment funds
- Bonds
- Foreign exchange
- Futures
- Options
I also want to let you know about the most popular assets they offer (stocks, ETFs, bonds and funds).
Shares with DEGIRO
As outlined in the screenshot above, the DEGIRO makes it possible to invest in shares of many European and international stock exchanges. For example, you can find shares from the Madrid Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, NYSE, NYSE MKT, Australian Securities Exchange, Singapore Exchange, London Stock Exchange or European exchanges such as Euronext Paris, Xetra (Germany) or SIX Swiss Exchange.
In short, DEGIRO gives you access to company shares on 4 continents: (North) America, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
ETFs available in DEGIRO
Undoubtedly, one of the most popular products among retail (and non-retail) investors are ETFs. They are similar to mutual funds, but are easier to buy and sell, and their trading fees are usually lower.
DEGIRO gives you access to thousands of ETFs from many markets (around 5,000 ETFs). It’s possible to invest in ETFs from exchanges such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Brussels, Paris, Madrid, German, Italian and Madrid and more. You will be able to find ETFs from fund managers such as Amundi, Vanguard, BBVA, iShares, Lyxor or HSBC.
Investment funds in DEGIRO
However, if ETFs don’t meet your needs, you can also buy and sell mutual fund shares.
DEGIRO offers more than 500 investment funds from fund managers such as BlackRock, Amundi, Allianz, Vanguard, BNP Paribas, ING and JPMorgan.
Investing in bonds with DEGIRO
DEGIRO is one of the few brokers I have tried that allows you to invest in bonds, the truth is that there is not much variety of markets, but there are almost 700 different bonds between government and corporate debt.
As of this review’s writing, DEGIRO offers bonds from European markets, including Amsterdam, Lisbon, Paris, Brussels, and Frankfurt exchanges.
Other products with DEGIRO
Certain account types enable trading in derivatives and other complex products beyond stocks, ETFs, mutual funds,
- Currencies: Some users (depending on your account) may be able to invest in currencies through Currenex.
- Derivatives: With DEGIRO it is also possible to trade some derivatives, basically options and futures from derivatives markets such as Brussels, Amsterdam, Madrid, NYMEX or Eurex.
Is DEGIRO a Scam?
DEGIRO, duly registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority and supervised by Germany’s BaFin, assures a legitimate and scam-free service.
Given the rigorous financial supervision laws in the countries of both the FCA and BaFin, DEGIRO is under close scrutiny, ensuring compliance with various laws and investor rights.
As a firm licensed by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets, DEGIRO offers compensation up to ā¬20,000 in adverse scenarios affecting investments. However, this protection might not apply to UK traders, however, as I am not a legal expert, it is advisable to consult one for certainty.
Safety & DEGIRO
With DEGIRO your investments are in a separate legal entity (than DEGIRO’s). If DEGIRO should have problems with creditors, as your investments are in a separate entity, they cannot be claimed by (DEGIRO’s) creditors, although these rules are different in each country, and I reiterate, I am not a lawyer š
2-step authentication
If you want the highest security for your account and need to add an extra layer of security, you can activate the 2-step authentication (see the video below).
2-step authentication with DEGIRO
The idea is simple: before you can access the DEGIRO platform and once you have entered your username and password. You will be asked to confirm a code that will appear in your phone (via the Google Authenticator app).
So, even if someone guessed your username and password with DEGIRO, they would need access to your phone to “hack” your account and gain access. Personally, I use this system on all the platforms where it is available and am a big fan of it.
DEGIRO's Regulations & Licences
Investors should choose a broker they trust, as ultimately it’s their money at risk. A simple first step is to check the countries where the broker is regulated. Ideally, select an investment platform regulated in your country or a trusted nearby country. For example, if you’re in France, you might choose a broker regulated by another EU country.
DEGIRO is regulated by several entities and has some protections for investors. More details follow:
- DEGIRO, a part of the German flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, guarantees your uninvested cash up to ā¬100,000 under the German Investor Protection Scheme.
- DEGIRO’s group is supervised and regulated by Germany’s authorities (BaFin). Registration number 119766.
- Additionally, DEGIRO maintains a Netherlands-based branch, regulated by the Dutch Financial Authority AFM (registration #12048408).
- DEGIRO segregates its assets, like stocks or ETFs, from client assets. In theory, if DEGIRO faces issues, you should be able to reclaim your assets held in your name.
- In case of any issues with asset retrieval, a German compensation scheme offers coverage up to ā¬20,000.
Manage Your Taxes with DEGIRO
Keep in mind that DEGIRO will not issue a tax report, but at year-end, you’ll receive an account activity report to help complete your tax return.
Please note:
Please note: This tax information is for guidance only. As I’m not a tax advisor, it’s based on my personal experience. For more details, consult an accountant or tax expert.
DEGIRO Alternatives
To reiterate, DEGIRO is a solid broker that integrates dozens of markets and will give you access to hundreds (if not thousands) of products such as stocks, ETFs and mutual funds.
But you may still want to invest in derivatives?
Well, DEGIRO it’s not the right option as you won’t be able to trade CFDs, which is probably the most popular asset among traders. So with that in mind I have suggested some alternatives which may interest you:
XTB
We will start things of with XTB who give you access to many derivative products (mainly CFDs) to trade. Their interface is well-designed and their spreads (commissions) are very competitive. In some European countries (such as Spain, France or Germany) it is possible to buy real shares and ETFs as well as derivative products, sadly this is not the case in the UK.
eToro
eToro stands out by allowing you to ‘copy’ other users, automatically replicating their trades for you. Exercise caution when selecting who to follow and research thoroughly, as many invest in high-risk assets like CFDs. eToro offers flexibility with leverage options for both derivatives and tangible assets, such as stocks and ETFs. Note that U.S. investors cannot access tangible assets, and eToro’s spreads are slightly higher than other platforms.
Trading 212
Trading 212, an emerging contender in the trading arena, boasts 2.5 million users in the UK, France, Germany, and more. Offering various investment options, it’s worth exploring, but some limitations, like the absence of options and bonds, need consideration.Ā Trading 212’s exceptional offering includes fee-free investments in stocks and CFDs, making it an attractive choice for cost-conscious traders.
Last thoughts and opinions on DEGIRO
Admittedly, DEGIRO offers access to a wide variety of instruments, markets and exchanges that you can trade. A couple of things you may miss out on is cryptocurrencies and forex trading, as these are not available with this broker.
I want to point out here some of my personal highlights of the DEGIRO, it has a straightforward platform, but do bear in mind that their fees aren’t the lowest. Another perk for me is that the registration process is simple.Ā What has to be the absolute highlight is that the DEGIRO is a regulated broker that is properly registered and supervised in Europe and the UK.
They have a news feed, but it is rather basic, I wouldn’t mind them putting a bit more effort here. The assets price that you see on its broker are 15-min delayed, more updated data comes at an extra cost.
Remember that you can create an account completely free of charge to try out DEGIRO for yourself.
DEGIRO FAQs
DEGIRO is an online broker founded in the Netherlands in 2013. It later merged with Flatex, one of Germany’s largest brokers.
DEGIRO’s platform is accessible to investors within the EU, including the UK and Switzerland.
DEGIRO allows its users to trade stocks, ETFs, bonds, investment funds, as well as options and futures, among other financial products. DEGIRO provides a well-rounded platform that is user-friendly yet feature-rich, enabling investors to access a wide range of markets. However, DEGIRO may not be the ideal choice for active traders.
DEGIRO is a broker originally founded in the Netherlands in 2008, expanding its brokerage services to other European countries. German broker Flatex AG acquired 100% of DEGIRO’s shares in 2019.
DEGIRO is a European broker, since it’s located in Amsterdam and owned by a German company (Flatex AG). DEGIRO was founded in 2008 in The Netherlands, and it still has its headquarters in Amsterdam. But in 2019, DEGIRO was acquired by a German company, so I guess it has a German influence.
DEGIRO is a reliable and well-established company, regulated and registered with several regulatory agencies such as BaFin (Germany) and DNB (Netherlands) for the operations carried out by the Dutch subsidiary. It has millions of clients and has been operating for many years. That being said, whether DEGIRO is trustworthy or not, is something you will have to decide for yourself, as this is a personal decision and it is your money at risk not mine š
It is possible to contact DEGIRO by telephone, from 8 AM to 10 PM (UK time). In addition, it is also possible to contact DEGIRO by email at clients@degiro.co.uk for questions in English. Unfortunately, they donāt have a live chat feature.
DEGIRO operates in several European countries: Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, France, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
Unfortunately, if you operate from Latin America, the United States or any other country you will not be able to open an account with DEGIRO.
To close an account with DEGIRO all you need to do is send an email to DEGIRO customer services, and then once the account is closed they will transfer the remaining funds to your bank account.
When you buy stocks or ETFs with DEGIRO, the broker assigns you the ownerships of those. In fact, DEGIRO has separate accounts for holding its own assets and its clients’; thus if DEGIRO goes bankrupt, you will still have your investments under your name.
Please be aware that DEGIRO has different account types, if you don’t pick the Custody one, you allow them to rent your stocks (and other assets you purchase with them) to other investors, in exchange you’ll be offered reduced fees from DEGIRO.
Sure, with DEGIRO you can trade over 10,000 securities using Tradegate Exchange (TDG) between 8 am and 10 pm. Please be aware, that these trades have higher fees ā 3,90 ā¬ per transaction.
Sure you can, with DEGIRO it’s possible to trade on leverage. However, not all the accounts allow this. You will need to have an Active or Trade account to be able to use leverage when trading with DEGIRO.
Keep in mind that the Trade account is the one that offers more margin when trading with leverage.
DEGIRO will allow you to negotiate using the following order types:
- Market order: Your order will be executed at the (best available) current price. If you happen to carry out your order at a time with high volatility, there could be significant differences in prices.
- Limit: Besides adding the number of shares (or other assets) to buy, you will also have to set a maximum price (called limit) you are willing to accept. If the asset’s price matches this (limit) price, the order will be executed at the next available price.
Additionally, you have also a couple of options to automate your trades by adding:
- Stop loss: You will add a price at which DEGIRO will sell your positions ā as the name says, this is a great way to ‘stop losses’. Imagine Company A stocks’ have a current price of $100, if you add a $90 stop loss, DEGIRO will automatically sell your Company A shares if their price gets to $90.
- Stop limit: In this case, besides adding the ‘stop loss’ price at which you’d like DEGIRO to sell your shares, you will also add a minimum sell price you’d like to get for them.
Be aware that these orders can be set up to have a duration of 1 day (e.g. the same day you add them and then they expire), or unlimited (good until you cancel).
Technically, it’s possible to trade derivatives with DEGIRO. Please note that derivatives are not available on all profiles, you may have to request to DEGIRO to enable this option. That said, many investors use CFDs to engage in trading, DEGIRO doesn’t allow CFD trading ā only options and futures at your disposal.
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