DEGIRO at a glance
DEGIRO is a strong fit for cost-aware European investors who mainly buy whole stocks and ETFs and are willing to check the local fee schedule before trading. It offers broad exchange access through the Dutch branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, but it is not a universal low-fee answer: handling, currency conversion, exchange connectivity, taxes and product costs can change the total.
The most important 2026 limitation is account-specific. DEGIRO says options and futures are available only to legacy accounts that already have an Active or Trader profile. A current account cannot switch to either profile. New readers should therefore evaluate DEGIRO primarily as a stock, ETF, bond and exchange-traded-product broker, not assume that the derivatives shown on a brand-level product list will be available to them.
Decision summary
- You live in a supported European market and want access to stocks and ETFs across multiple exchanges.
- You are comfortable buying whole units and managing venue, currency and tax choices yourself.
- You will compare the complete local schedule rather than rely on a commission headline.
- You need fractional shares, automated portfolio allocation or a highly guided beginner workflow.
- You are opening a new account specifically for options or futures.
- You want one simple all-inclusive price with no exchange-connectivity layer.
Who DEGIRO is best for
DEGIRO is best suited to self-directed European investors building long-term stock and ETF portfolios. Its broad venue access can be useful when a security is listed on several exchanges, but that choice creates work: the investor must compare liquidity, trading currency, local taxes, connectivity charges and the exact instrument identifier.
- Good fit: buy-and-hold stock and ETF investors who can read fee and product documents.
- Possible fit: experienced legacy Active/Trader customers who already have approved derivative access.
- Weak fit: investors who depend on fractional shares, Pies, automatic rebalancing or professional desktop software.
Country and account scope
DEGIRO operates in selected European countries, and the public site sends users to country-specific documents. Availability in Europe does not mean that the UK prices or product list apply everywhere. Before comparing costs, select the site and fee schedule for the country in which the account will be opened.
| Scope | Stocks and ETFs | Options and futures |
|---|---|---|
| Current Basic, Standard or Custody-style account | Available subject to local catalogue and appropriateness rules | Not available through a new switch to Active/Trader |
| Legacy Active or Trader profile | Available subject to local catalogue | Conditional: only existing eligible legacy profiles, instruments and venues |
This distinction is encoded in the structured product scopes attached to this review. The flat product list is only a brand-level union for older site components and must not be read as universal eligibility.
Fees and commissions
On the UK schedule, electronically traded US shares are listed at EUR 1 commission plus EUR 1 handling, and London Stock Exchange shares at GBP 1.75 plus GBP 1 handling. Selected ETFs are listed at EUR 0 commission plus EUR 1 handling under the Core Selection conditions; global ETFs are EUR 2 plus EUR 1 handling. Currency conversion is listed at 0.25%. Taxes, bid-ask spread, issuer costs and some external or venue charges are separate.
- Commission and handling for the chosen exchange and instrument.
- 0.25% UK-schedule currency conversion where a conversion is required.
- Annual exchange connectivity charges outside the home market.
- Stamp duty or transaction tax, bid-ask spread and issuer expenses.
- Transfer, real-time data and derivative costs if relevant to the account.
ETF Core Selection and connectivity fees
The Core Selection can reduce the transaction charge for qualifying ETFs, but the list can change and is governed by a Fair Use Policy. Confirm the ISIN, venue and current conditions immediately before placing an order. The fund's own total expense ratio and market spread still apply.
For the UK schedule, DEGIRO describes a connection fee of up to 0.25% of portfolio value, capped at EUR 2.50 per exchange per calendar year, for exchanges outside the home market; the London Stock Exchange is excepted in the published example. US options have a separate EUR 5 per-exchange monthly connectivity charge for eligible legacy users. Local schedules may differ.
Stocks and ETFs plus legacy derivative access
Current accounts can use the platform for major product groups such as stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and selected exchange-traded products, subject to country, catalogue and knowledge-test restrictions. DEGIRO does not offer CFDs as its standard product model, and it is not a spot-crypto platform.
Options and futures require special care in comparisons. The broker's help centre says these products are only available to legacy accounts that already have an Active or Trader profile, and users can no longer change to those profiles. Even for an eligible legacy profile, access remains conditional on the instrument, venue, knowledge test and local terms.
Regulation and legal entity
DEGIRO is the trading name of flatexDEGIRO Bank Dutch Branch, the Dutch branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE. The bank is primarily supervised by Germany's BaFin. The Dutch branch is registered with De Nederlandsche Bank and supervised by the AFM and DNB. Readers should use the legal name in their own agreement rather than infer protection from the DEGIRO brand alone.
Asset segregation and investor protection
DEGIRO says investments are held through a separate special purpose vehicle so they are separated from the broker's own assets. Eligible money in a Cash Account with flatexDEGIRO Bank SE is covered by the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme up to EUR 100,000 per customer. If segregated investments cannot be returned, the German Investor Compensation Scheme covers 90% of eligible loss up to EUR 20,000 per customer.
Platform and mobile app
DEGIRO provides web, iOS and Android access. The interface is practical for self-directed investing, but it is not a full professional desktop terminal and does not centre on automated portfolio construction. Order types, live data and product availability vary by exchange. Test the order ticket and statement exports with a small amount before using it as the sole broker for a complex portfolio.
Research reports and tax workflow
Research is adequate for screening and execution but lighter than at a full-service global broker. Independent research is still needed for security selection. Tax reports are not a promise that a return can be filed automatically: verify base currency, realised-gain method, dividend and withholding-tax detail, corporate actions and whether the export matches local reporting rules.
Risks and limitations
- Country-specific schedules make a generic fee claim unreliable.
- No fractional-share-first workflow can make regular investment in high-priced securities less convenient.
- Exchange choice can create unexpected FX, connectivity and tax costs.
- Derivative access in the flat brand profile does not apply to new accounts.
- Investor compensation does not protect against market losses or unsuitable products.
Alternatives to DEGIRO
| Alternative | Why compare it |
|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | Broader global tools, multi-currency functions and advanced execution. |
| Trading 212 | Fractional shares, recurring investing and a simpler mobile workflow in supported markets. |
| Saxo | More research and trading tools, usually with a different total-cost profile. |
Use the broker directory, then compare Interactive Brokers vs DEGIRO and Trading 212 vs DEGIRO.
What to verify before opening
- Confirm that your country is supported and identify the exact legal entity.
- Download the current local fee schedule and price the expected exchanges and currencies.
- Check each ETF by ISIN and venue; do not assume Core Selection eligibility.
- Assume options and futures are unavailable unless an existing legacy profile explicitly shows access.
- Review transfer-out, custody, cash and compensation documents before funding.
FAQ
Is DEGIRO good for beginners?
It can suit a beginner who will buy simple stocks or ETFs and read the fee schedule. Investors who need fractional shares and guided automation may find another platform easier.
Does DEGIRO offer options and futures?
Only conditionally. DEGIRO says options and futures are limited to legacy accounts that already have an Active or Trader profile; current accounts cannot switch to those profiles.
What protection applies?
DEGIRO describes SPV segregation, German deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 for eligible Cash Account money, and German investor compensation of 90% up to EUR 20,000 if eligible segregated assets cannot be returned. These schemes do not cover market loss.
Is every Core Selection ETF free?
No. The published UK pricing still includes a EUR 1 handling charge, and the list, venue conditions, currency costs, spreads and fund expenses must be checked.
Is DEGIRO available in Russia?
This review does not promise availability to residents of Russia. Eligibility must be checked directly on DEGIRO's country and onboarding pages.
Sources and methodology
Verified on 15 July 2026 against DEGIRO's official UK fees page and schedule, product-access help page, regulation page, safeguarding page and cash-account explanation. Scores and editorial fit are StockTrade assessments; legal, fee and product facts come from the linked official materials.
Read Broker Fees Explained and Stock Broker Regulation Explained. Investing involves risk; verify the local documents immediately before opening or trading.