DEGIRO Review 2026: Low-Cost Investing With Important Trade-Offs

Editorial analysis by The Strategic Newb, not a customer testimonial. The supplied source reviews assess Dutch accounts or pricing where stated. Availability, legal entities and terms may differ by country; check the provider’s terms for your country.

DEGIRO combines comparatively low transaction charges with access to more than 50 global exchanges. But currency costs, connectivity fees and the absence of fractional shares or automated investing mean it will not suit everyone.

Direct link to DEGIRO’s official website. No affiliate tracking.

DEGIRO has built its reputation around a straightforward proposition: give ordinary European investors access to international markets without the service charges traditionally associated with major banks.

That proposition remains attractive in 2026. DEGIRO offers a broad investment range, a relatively simple platform and competitive transaction charges. Its €1 Core Selection ETF trades are particularly notable for investors building portfolios manually.

The headline prices do not tell the whole story, however. Currency conversion, exchange connectivity, handling charges and portfolio-transfer fees can materially change the calculation. DEGIRO also lacks fractional shares and automated recurring purchases—two features that have become increasingly important to smaller, hands-off investors.

Information and Netherlands pricing in this review were checked on 23 September 2026. Products, fees and availability can differ by country.

Key takeaways

• DEGIRO is a regulated European broker operated through flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, a German bank primarily supervised by BaFin.
• Dutch investors pay €3 for an Euronext Amsterdam share trade and €2 for a US share trade before currency-conversion costs.
• Selected ETFs on Tradegate cost €1 per transaction, consisting of zero commission and a €1 handling charge.
• DEGIRO provides access to more than 50 exchanges but does not offer fractional shares or automated recurring investment orders.
• It is best suited to self-directed European investors who place their own orders and understand the complete fee schedule.

DEGIRO review: the short verdict

DEGIRO is a compelling execution-only broker for investors who value broad market access and are comfortable managing their own portfolio. It is less convincing for people who want investment plans, fractional shares, personal guidance or advanced automation.

Who owns and regulates DEGIRO?

DEGIRO operates in the Netherlands through flatexDEGIRO Bank Dutch Branch, the Dutch branch of Germany-based flatexDEGIRO Bank SE.

The parent bank is primarily supervised by Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, BaFin. The Dutch branch appears in both the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets, or AFM, register and De Nederlandsche Bank’s public register. DNB states that the Dutch branch is subject to its integrity supervision, while home-state prudential supervision takes place in Germany. [Source]

This cross-border structure is important. Dutch customers use a Dutch-facing service, but the applicable deposit-guarantee arrangement is German rather than Dutch.

DEGIRO operates on an execution-only basis. It enables customers to place investments but does not provide personalised investment advice or manage their portfolios.

DEGIRO’s regulatory history

A balanced review should also acknowledge DEGIRO’s enforcement history.

In January 2025, the AFM published the final outcome of a penalty relating to transaction-reporting failures committed by DeGiro B.V. in 2019. For five weeks, more than two million transactions were not reported in the required format, preventing the regulator from using that data in its market-abuse supervision.

The original €700,000 penalty was ultimately reduced by the Rotterdam District Court to €85,000. The AFM stated that DEGIRO had taken measures intended to end the breach and prevent a recurrence. This was a historical regulatory failure—not evidence that customer investments disappeared—but it remains relevant when evaluating the broker’s compliance record. [Source]

Is DEGIRO safe?

No investment platform is risk-free, but DEGIRO uses several distinct protection mechanisms.

Protection of investments

According to DEGIRO, customer securities are held separately from its own balance sheet through special-purpose vehicles. This asset-segregation structure is intended to prevent DEGIRO’s creditors from claiming customer investments if the company becomes insolvent.

DEGIRO says the German investor-compensation scheme may cover 90% of unrecoverable investments, up to a maximum compensation of €20,000 per customer, if segregated assets cannot be returned. This compensation is a fallback mechanism; it does not protect investors from ordinary market losses. [Source]

Protection of cash

Cash held in a flatexDEGIRO Bank cash account is covered by the German deposit-guarantee scheme up to €100,000 per eligible depositor.

That €100,000 protection applies to qualifying bank deposits, not the market value of stocks, ETFs or other securities. The €20,000 investor-compensation limit relates to the failure to return eligible investments, rather than losses caused by falling prices.

Direct crypto holdings are not covered by the German investor-compensation scheme.

Who can open a DEGIRO account?

DEGIRO provides local services across numerous European markets, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and several Nordic and Central European countries.

Applicants must generally:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid passport or identity card
• Hold a personal bank account within the SEPA area
• Be physically and fiscally resident in an accepted country
• Complete identification through the DEGIRO mobile application

DEGIRO states that it cannot accept applicants classified as US persons under US tax rules. Its accepted-residence list is broader than the countries in which it operates a dedicated local website, so eligibility should always be checked for the applicant’s specific residence. [Source]

New corporate accounts are not currently accepted in the Netherlands.

DEGIRO account types

DEGIRO’s principal profiles are:

Basic

The standard profile for investors buying shares, ETFs, bonds and other long positions. This is the most appropriate starting point for many long-term investors.

Active

Adds derivatives, securities lending or borrowing, short selling and margin facilities. Available borrowing is more restricted than under the Trader profile.

Trader

Provides access to the same higher-risk services with greater potential use of margin. Losses can exceed the investor’s original cash contribution when borrowed money or leveraged products are involved.

Day Trader

Designed for more active trading under specific intraday risk conditions. It is unsuitable for most long-term retail investors.

A custody option is also documented. This is designed for investors who do not want their securities lent, although its pricing and availability should be checked when opening or changing an account.

Passing knowledge or appropriateness tests may be required before complex products, derivatives, short selling or margin become available.

What can you invest in through DEGIRO?

DEGIRO provides access to more than 50 exchanges across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Its product range includes:

• European, American, Canadian and Asian shares
• ETFs, ETNs and ETCs
• Government and corporate bonds
• Investment funds
• Options and futures
• Warrants and leveraged products
• Selected cryptocurrencies and crypto ETPs
• Margin facilities and short selling for eligible profiles

Exact availability depends on the customer’s country, account permissions and the regulatory classification of individual products.

DEGIRO does not offer fractional shares. Investors must therefore purchase whole shares or ETF units. This can make diversification more difficult when individual securities have high unit prices. [Source]

DEGIRO fees explained

The following charges apply to standard Dutch Basic, Active and Trader accounts under the fee schedule effective from 1 January 2026.

The official fee schedule notes that transaction taxes, spreads, product costs and certain external charges can apply in addition to these prices. [Source]

Currency-conversion costs

DEGIRO charges 0.25% for automatic currency conversion through AutoFX. A manual currency conversion costs €10 plus 0.25%.

The impact can be larger than the visible commission. Buying €1,000 worth of a US-listed share using euros would involve the €2 transaction charge plus approximately €2.50 in AutoFX costs, before spreads or other external charges. A later conversion back into euros can create another FX charge.

Investors who trade foreign-currency securities frequently should calculate the full round-trip cost.

Exchange connectivity fees

DEGIRO may charge up to €2.50 per foreign exchange per calendar year. The amount is capped at 0.25% of the account’s maximum annual value for each exchange.

The fee does not apply to Euronext Amsterdam, Euronext Brussels, direct crypto trading through Tradias or Core Selection ETFs traded on Tradegate.

Other costs to understand

DEGIRO does not charge a standard inactivity fee or monthly account service fee for ordinary investment accounts. Deposits and withdrawals are also free from DEGIRO’s side. [Source]

Potential additional costs include:

• Real-time market-data subscriptions for certain exchanges
• €20 per position plus external costs for transferring investments away from DEGIRO
• €10 surcharge for telephone or email orders
• €7.50 for certain stock-dividend instructions
• Margin interest
• Short-selling fees
• Local financial transaction taxes
• ETF, fund and structured-product costs charged within the product

The correct comparison is therefore total annual cost, not commission alone.

Deposits and withdrawals

Dutch customers can fund their accounts through SEPA bank transfer or iDEAL. DEGIRO does not charge for deposits or withdrawals.

A manual bank transfer can take between one and three working days. Deposits generally need to originate from a verified bank account held in the customer’s own name.

The cash account is opened in the customer’s name with flatexDEGIRO Bank. Withdrawals are returned to a registered counter-account rather than an unrelated third-party account.

Platform and usability

DEGIRO offers a browser-based platform and applications for iOS and Android.

The interface is designed for direct manual investing rather than intensive professional trading. Users can search for investments, create watchlists, inspect portfolio performance and place market, limit, stop-loss and stop-limit orders.

Available information includes:

• Interactive charts
• Company ratios and financial information
• Market news
• Economic calendars
• ESG information
• Analyst information supplied by LSEG Data & Analytics
• A ten-level order book for Euronext
• Biometric login and two-factor authentication

The platform is sufficiently clear for routine share and ETF investing. Experienced traders who require highly customisable workspaces, algorithmic execution or professional-grade charting may find it restrictive.

Most importantly, DEGIRO does not support automated transactions, trading bots or external automation scripts. This also means investors cannot create a fully automated monthly ETF purchase inside the platform. Price alerts and triggers do not replace recurring investment orders. [Source]

Research and educational tools

DEGIRO supplies basic research and educational material, including its Investor’s Academy, product explanations, financial data, news and analyst information.

These resources are useful for orientation, but DEGIRO remains an execution-only broker. Its material should not be confused with independent financial advice or comprehensive investment research.

Investors are still responsible for examining fund documentation, company accounts, tax consequences, trading venues, spreads and product risks.

Customer support

Dutch customers can contact DEGIRO by telephone or email. Telephone support is normally available from 08:00 to 22:00 on weekdays. Customers can send emails at any time, although that does not mean an immediate 24-hour response.

The extended weekday telephone window is helpful for investors trading both European and US market hours. There is no promise of continuous live support during weekends, even though certain products such as cryptocurrencies may remain tradeable.

Main advantages

• Competitive charges for many shares and ETFs
• €1 transactions for Core Selection ETFs on Tradegate
• Access to more than 50 international exchanges
• Broad selection of shares, ETFs, bonds and derivatives
• No standard inactivity or monthly account fee
• Web and mobile platforms
• German deposit protection for eligible cash up to €100,000
• Dutch-language customer service
• Basic research, financial data and educational content

Main disadvantages

• No fractional shares
• No automated recurring investments
• A 0.25% AutoFX charge can outweigh the low commission
• Annual connectivity charges may apply for foreign exchanges
• Outgoing portfolio transfers cost €20 per position plus external costs
• Market-data charges can apply
• More complicated products and account profiles introduce substantial risk
• Direct cryptocurrency holdings do not receive investor-compensation protection
• Historical regulatory breaches should not be ignored

Who is DEGIRO best for?

DEGIRO is most suitable for:

• European investors who select and place their own investments
• Long-term investors buying whole shares or ETFs
• Investors who want access to several international exchanges
• Investors who can use the Core Selection efficiently
• People willing to compare trading venues and calculate FX costs
• More experienced investors who need bonds, options or futures

Who should avoid DEGIRO?

Another broker may be more suitable for:

• Beginners who want personalised investment guidance
• People investing very small fixed amounts that require fractional shares
• Investors seeking completely automated ETF savings plans
• Algorithmic traders who need an official API
• Highly active traders requiring advanced analytical and execution tools
• Investors who want all costs included in one simple subscription
• People who do not understand the risks of margin, short selling or derivatives

Why this matters

Low-cost investing is no longer just about finding the smallest advertised commission. As transaction charges have fallen across Europe, currency conversion, product costs, trading venue, automation and tax administration have become more important differentiators.

DEGIRO can be inexpensive when its structure matches the investor’s behaviour. A Dutch investor buying a Core Selection ETF manually in euros faces a very different cost profile from someone frequently trading US shares and converting currencies.

Choosing the correct broker therefore starts with the portfolio and investment process—not the broker’s cheapest advertised trade.

What to watch next

Prospective and existing DEGIRO customers should monitor:

1. Fee-schedule changes: Commissions, handling charges, currency costs and connectivity fees can change.
2. Fractional and recurring investing: These remain significant omissions as competing platforms expand automated investment plans.
3. Core Selection composition: Eligibility and the required trading venue can change over time.
4. Country-specific product access: Crypto, derivatives, funds and certain ETFs may not be available to every customer.
5. Regulatory disclosures: New enforcement decisions or material changes to investor protection should be assessed through official regulator sources.

The Strategic Newb verdict

DEGIRO remains a strong option for independent European investors who want international market access without paying traditional bank-broker prices.

Its strongest use case is manual, long-term investing in whole shares and ETFs—particularly euro-denominated Core Selection products. The platform is accessible, the product range is broad and the regulatory structure is clearly documented.

The trade-off is convenience. DEGIRO lacks fractional shares and automated investment plans, while FX, connectivity and transfer charges complicate its low-cost message. It is a good broker for the right investor, but not automatically the cheapest or easiest broker for every portfolio.

Nothing in this article constitutes personalised financial advice. Investments can rise or fall in value, and you may receive back less than you invest. Fees, products and investor protections can vary by country. Always verify current conditions with the provider and relevant regulator.

The DEGIRO links in this review are direct, non-affiliate links. No referral tracking has been added.

Frequently asked questions

Is DEGIRO safe?

DEGIRO is operated through regulated German bank flatexDEGIRO Bank SE. Customer investments are held separately through special-purpose vehicles, eligible cash is protected by the German deposit-guarantee scheme up to €100,000, and German investor compensation may cover 90% of eligible unrecoverable investments up to €20,000. These protections do not cover market losses.

How much does DEGIRO charge?

For Dutch customers, an Euronext Amsterdam share trade normally costs €3, while a US share trade costs €2 before currency conversion. Core Selection ETFs on Tradegate cost €1 per transaction. FX, connectivity, market-data, product and local tax charges may also apply.

Does DEGIRO offer fractional shares?

No. DEGIRO only facilitates trading in whole shares and whole ETF units.

Can I invest automatically every month through DEGIRO?

You can transfer money regularly, but DEGIRO does not support automated purchase orders or trading bots. Recurring investments must therefore be placed manually.

Is DEGIRO good for beginners?

DEGIRO can work for beginners who understand basic investment risks and want to manage their own portfolio. People who need advice, automated portfolios or fractional investing may find another platform more suitable.