Last update: September 30, 2026. Fees checked on the brokers’ pricing pages in September 2026. Written by Sal Cocurullo, investor since 2006.
The best ETF broker for Europeans in 2026 is XTB, with a weighted score of 4.15 out of 5. Scalable Capital is second (4.05) and Interactive Brokers third (3.70). XTB and Scalable Capital cost €0 a year on my test portfolio; Interactive Brokers offers the widest ETF range.
This page ranks brokers only on ETF investing: savings plans, ETF trading costs and ETF range. For an all-round ranking with stocks, options and support, read the best brokers in Europe.
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| The most fluid app and 0% on ETF purchases up to €100,000 per month | XTB |
| Free ETF savings plans from €1 and free ETF trades from €250 | Scalable Capital |
| The widest ETF range and 0.03% currency conversion | Interactive Brokers |
| Free savings plans in a simple app, in 18 countries | Trade Republic |
| 3,600 ETFs with a human account manager | Freedom24 |
| Commission-free ETFs with copy trading on the side | eToro |
| €1 ETF trades on Tradegate | DEGIRO |
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This page contains affiliate links: if you open an account through them, RevenueLand may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the disclaimer.
ETF Broker Fees Compared: What You Pay per Purchase
The table shows the cost of buying a EUR-listed UCITS ETF on each broker’s default retail plan. Savings plans are automatic recurring purchases. One-off purchases are orders you place yourself.
| Broker | ETF savings plan | One-off ETF purchase | Currency conversion | Custody / inactivity | EU regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scalable Capital (FREE Broker) | €0, from €1 | €0 on Amundi, iShares, Vanguard and Xtrackers ETFs from €250; otherwise €0.99 | Not needed, EUR venues | €0 / €0 | BaFin, custody at Baader Bank |
| XTB | Investment Plans at 0% commission | 0% up to €100,000 per month, then 0.2% (min €10) | 0.5% (0.8% weekends) | €0 up to €250,000 / €10 per month after 12 months without trades and 90 days without deposits | KNF (XTB S.A.) |
| Trade Republic | €0, from €1 | €1 (Best Price) or €2 (Direct Price) | Applies on non-EUR instruments | €0 / €0 | BaFin and Bundesbank (German bank) |
| eToro (EUR account) | Recurring investments available | ETFs $0 | 0% on EUR assets; 0.75% EUR to USD | €0 / €0 (removed May 28, 2026) | CySEC (eToro Europe Ltd) |
| DEGIRO (Basic) | Each purchase is a normal order | Core Selection ETFs €1 on Tradegate; other ETFs €3 | 0.25% AutoFX | €0 + €2.50 per exchange per year / €0 | BaFin / DNB (flatexDEGIRO Bank) |
| Interactive Brokers (IBIE, Fixed) | Recurring purchases pay normal commission | €3 min, 0.05% above €6,000 | 0.03% auto; 0.002% manual (min $2) | €0 / €0 | Central Bank of Ireland |
| Freedom24 (Smart plan) | No fractional shares | €2 per order + €0.02 per share | Spread only, about 0.005% | €0 / €0 | Regulated in the EU (Freedom Finance Europe Ltd) |
Sources: each broker’s official price list, checked in September 2026. Trade Republic pricing reflects the execution model in force since July 1, 2026.
My test portfolio is simple: a €200 monthly savings plan plus two one-off purchases of €2,000 per year, all in one EUR-listed ETF. Here is what each broker charges in commissions over twelve months.
Commissions are only one line. Spreads, currency conversion and the ETF’s own ongoing charge (TER) also cost money. I explain each layer further down in the hidden costs of ETF investing.
The 7 Best ETF Brokers for Europeans, One by One
🥇 1. XTB: best overall ETF broker (4.15)
XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and regulated by KNF. It offers real ETFs, fractional ETFs and Investment Plans: automatic portfolios of up to 9 ETFs that you top up with a fixed amount.
| ETF purchases | 0% commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min €10) |
| Investment Plans | Up to 10 plans, up to 9 ETFs each, automatic top-ups |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% (0.8% on weekends) |
| Custody | €0 up to €250,000 |
| Inactivity | €10 per month after 12 months without trades and 90 days without deposits |
| Test portfolio cost | €0 per year |
My experience: I have been an XTB client for about five years and have traded a bit of everything there. Execution is fast and the app is very quick. Over the years XTB moved from a trading platform to a full investing app, with Investment Plans and interest on uninvested cash.
Why it is first: XTB has the best platform in this list and 0% commission on ETF purchases up to €100,000 a month. I find the app extremely fluid, the smoothest of all the brokers I use. Investment Plans score below Scalable and Trade Republic because they are portfolio-based, not a simple one-ETF plan from €1.
Keep in mind: the 0.5% conversion fee hurts if you buy ETFs listed in USD. CFDs sit next to real ETFs in the app, so check the instrument type before you buy. Full test in my XTB review.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
🥈 2. Scalable Capital: best broker for ETF savings plans (4.05)
Scalable Capital is a Munich broker supervised by BaFin, with Baader Bank as custodian. Since the EU ban on payment for order flow (June 30, 2026), it routes orders to its own venue, the European Investor Exchange, and to gettex.
| ETF savings plans | €0, from €1 per month |
| One-off ETF trades | €0 on Amundi, iShares, Vanguard and Xtrackers from €250; €0.99 otherwise; Xetra €3.99 |
| PRIME+ plan | €4.99 per month, removes the €0.99 fee on trades from €250 |
| Custody, withdrawal, inactivity | €0 |
| Available in | Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands |
| Test portfolio cost | €0 per year |
Why it is second: both the savings plan and the typical one-off ETF purchase cost nothing, and cash waiting for the next plan earns interest. It ranks behind XTB on platform and support. If costs are your only criterion, Scalable Capital is the cheapest broker in this list.
Keep in mind: it serves only six countries. There are no options, no bonds and no US exchanges. Details in my Scalable Capital review and in Scalable Capital vs Trade Republic.
Investing involves risks. The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.
🥉 3. Interactive Brokers: widest ETF range and strongest protection (3.70)
European clients open an account with Interactive Brokers Ireland, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. You reach 150+ markets, fractional shares and multi-currency accounts.
Fees: €3 minimum per European ETF trade, 0.05% above €6,000. Currency conversion costs 0.03% automatic or 0.002% manual (min $2). Test portfolio cost: €42, the highest in this list, because the €3 minimum applies to every €200 purchase.
Why it is third: no broker in this list reaches more ETFs and exchanges, and the Irish entity scores highest on protection. Currency conversion at 0.03% makes USD-listed ETFs cheap. Costs drop it on small monthly plans.
Good for: portfolios above €50,000 bought in large orders, where 0.05% becomes cheap. Keep in mind: the platform takes time to learn and support is weak. Its weak point for me was support; see IBKR alternatives.
4. Trade Republic: best app for free savings plans across Europe (3.65)
Trade Republic is a German bank supervised by BaFin and the Bundesbank. It serves 18 countries, more than Scalable Capital, and offers savings plans on more than 2,400 ETFs.
| ETF savings plans | €0, from €1, weekly, twice monthly, monthly or quarterly |
| One-off ETF trades | €1 with Best Price (default); €2 with Direct Price on a chosen exchange |
| Execution since July 1, 2026 | Trade Republic is the counterparty on Best Price; Direct Price routes to about 30 exchanges including Xetra |
| Custody, inactivity | €0 |
| Test portfolio cost | €2 per year |
Good for: savers outside Scalable’s six countries who want a free plan from €1. Keep in mind: support runs through the app, with no phone line for retail clients. The web terminal launched only in July 2026. If it does not fit you, see my Trade Republic alternatives.
5. Freedom24: 3,600 ETFs with an account manager (3.50)
Freedom24 is the European broker of Freedom Holding Corp, part of a listed group, and is regulated in Europe. It offers 3,600 ETFs on 15 exchanges, plus US stock options and bonds.
Fees: on the Smart plan you pay €2 per order plus €0.02 per share. There is no custody or inactivity fee. Bank withdrawals cost €7. Test portfolio cost: about €29.
Good for: investors who buy ETFs in larger lump sums and want a human account manager in their language. You can ask the account manager for instruments not yet listed. Keep in mind: no fractional shares, so small monthly amounts buy only whole ETF units. Read the full Freedom24 review.
Investments in securities and other financial instruments always involve the risk of loss of your capital. The forecast or past performance is no guarantee of future results. It is essential to do your own analysis before making any investment.
6. eToro: commission-free ETFs with copy trading (3.30)
European clients are served by eToro (Europe) Ltd, regulated by CySEC. EUR accounts are available in the EU, so EUR-listed ETFs carry no conversion fee.
Fees: ETFs are commission-free. Buying USD assets from a EUR account costs 0.75% in conversion. Withdrawals from EUR accounts are free. The $10 monthly inactivity fee was removed on May 28, 2026. Test portfolio cost: €0.
Keep in mind: positions cannot be transferred to another broker, the UCITS ETF range is narrower than at the brokers above, and CFDs are the default on many assets. Read my eToro review and DEGIRO vs eToro.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 52% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
7. DEGIRO: €1 ETF trades on Tradegate (3.00)
DEGIRO is part of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, supervised by BaFin and registered with DNB in the Netherlands. Since October 2025 the ETF Core Selection covers more than 1,000 ETFs on Tradegate.
Fees: Core Selection ETFs cost €1 per trade, with no connectivity fee. Other ETFs cost €3. Each non-home exchange costs €2.50 per year. Test portfolio cost: €14, because every monthly purchase is a normal order.
Keep in mind: no interest on uninvested cash, 0.25% conversion on every USD trade and dividend, and a dated interface.
Investing involves risks. You can lose (a part of) your deposit. Read the DEGIRO Investment Services Information before you invest.
How I Rank ETF Brokers: Scoring Method
Each broker gets a score from 1 to 5 on six criteria with fixed weights. Among the top brokers, commissions differ by a few euros a year. What separates them over ten or twenty years is the platform you use, the ETFs you can reach and the safety of the entity that holds your units. The weights reflect that. Scores set on September 30, 2026.
| Broker | Platform (25%) | ETF range (20%) | Regulation (20%) | Support (15%) | ETF costs (10%) | Savings plans (10%) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4.15 |
| Scalable Capital | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4.05 |
| Interactive Brokers | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3.70 |
| Trade Republic | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3.65 |
| Freedom24 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3.50 |
| eToro | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3.30 |
| DEGIRO | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3.00 |
ETF costs (30%) is calculated, not judged. It uses the annual commissions on the test portfolio: €0 to €5 = 5, €6 to €15 = 4, €16 to €30 = 3, €31 to €45 = 2, above €45 = 1.
Platform (25%) covers app, web, fluidity and order execution. ETF range (20%) counts UCITS ETFs and exchanges. Regulation (20%) scores the EU entity and the protection scheme. Support (15%) scores human contact by chat, email and phone. Savings plans (10%) scores free automatic plans from small amounts and fractional ETF units.
If costs are your only criterion, the ranking changes: Scalable Capital and Trade Republic cost €0 to €2 a year, Interactive Brokers €42. Use the calculator below with your own amounts.
The order differs from my all-round broker ranking on purpose. There, costs and support weigh most. Here, the platform and the ETF universe weigh most.
Full method: how I test and rank brokers
ETF Broker Cost Calculator
Enter your own plan to see what each broker charges in commissions. This is a simulation based on the published fees above. It excludes spreads, ETF running costs, currency conversion and taxes.
Assumptions: EUR-listed UCITS ETF, default retail plan, XTB turnover below €100,000 per month, Freedom24 ETF price €100, Scalable ETF from its free ETF list. Simulation only, not a quote.
How an ETF Savings Plan Works
An ETF savings plan buys the same ETF automatically on fixed dates. You choose the ETF, the amount and the frequency once. The broker executes every purchase without an order from you.
Fractional units matter. With €200 and an ETF priced at €130, a broker with fractions invests all €200. A broker without fractions buys one unit and leaves €70 in cash until the next date.
Is it better to invest monthly or all at once? I tested both in lump sum vs DCA. To pick the ETF itself, start from ETFs for beginners and the justETF screener guide.
The Hidden Costs of ETF Investing in Europe
A €0 commission does not mean a free ETF. Four cost layers sit between your money and the index return.
| Cost layer | What it is | How to reduce it |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | Fee per order charged by the broker | Use a free savings plan or a 0% broker for one-off buys |
| Spread | Difference between buy and sell price | Buy large, liquid ETFs during core exchange hours; use limit orders on lump sums |
| Currency conversion | Fee to change EUR into USD or GBP | Buy the EUR listing of the same ETF on Xetra, Euronext or Borsa Italiana |
| Ongoing charge (TER) | Annual fund cost, deducted inside the ETF | Compare TER between ETFs on the same index, for example the S&P 500 ETFs for Europeans |
European retail investors can only buy UCITS ETFs with a KID document. US ETFs such as VOO or SCHD are blocked at EU brokers. The UCITS alternatives are listed in dividend ETFs you can buy in Europe and in VWCE and chill.
Best ETF Broker by Type of Investor
| You are… | Best ETF broker | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A monthly saver in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain or the Netherlands | Scalable Capital | Free plans from €1 and free ETF trades from €250 |
| A monthly saver in another EU country | Trade Republic | Free plans from €1 in 18 countries |
| Investing lump sums | XTB | 0% commission up to €100,000 per month |
| Building a lazy portfolio of several ETFs | XTB or Scalable Capital | XTB Investment Plans hold up to 9 ETFs; Scalable runs one free plan per ETF |
| Holding more than €50,000 in large orders | Interactive Brokers | 0.05% on large trades and 0.03% currency conversion |
| Wanting help in your language | Freedom24 | Named account manager and local offices |
What Changed for ETF Brokers in 2026
| Date | Change | Effect for ETF investors |
|---|---|---|
| September 15, 2026 | Trade Republic opened a Belgian branch | Belgian clients can have local taxes withheld by the broker |
| July 1, 2026 | Trade Republic introduced Best Price (€1) and Direct Price (€2) | You can now choose Xetra or another exchange for €2 |
| June 30, 2026 | EU ban on payment for order flow in force | Scalable Capital and Trade Republic changed how they execute orders |
| May 28, 2026 | eToro removed the $10 monthly inactivity fee | Holding ETFs on eToro without trading no longer costs money |
| October 2025 | DEGIRO rebuilt the ETF Core Selection on Tradegate | 1,000+ ETFs at €1 per trade, no connectivity fee |
The payment for order flow ban comes from MiFIR, the EU markets regulation. Background on the ESMA website.
Is My ETF Safe if the Broker Goes Bankrupt?
Yes, within limits. ETF units are your property and sit in segregated accounts, so a broker bankruptcy does not erase them. Cash and missing securities are covered by national compensation schemes, usually up to €20,000. Cash at bank-backed brokers is covered by deposit guarantees up to €100,000.
Check the legal entity before you open an account. For German brokers such as Scalable Capital and Trade Republic, the supervisor is BaFin, which publishes a public company database.
ETF Brokers I Left Out
Saxo: I have an account on Saxo Europe. It is strong on research and platform depth, but its fees suit larger accounts, not a €200 monthly plan. Trading 212: I have not tested it with my own money, so it does not enter a ranking built on funded accounts. Reader feedback is decent. Lightyear: not yet tested.
✅ Final Recap: Best ETF Brokers for Europeans 2026
🥇 XTB (4.15): the most fluid app and 0% on ETF purchases up to €100,000 per month.
🥈 Scalable Capital (4.05): free savings plans from €1 and free ETF trades from €250, in six countries.
🥉 Interactive Brokers (3.70): the widest ETF range, 0.03% currency conversion, best for large portfolios.
Trade Republic (3.65), Freedom24 (3.50), eToro (3.30) and DEGIRO (3.00): good for specific profiles, explained above.
Investing involves risks. The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.
Disclaimer. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. RevenueLand is not a financial advisor and nothing on this page is personalised investment advice. Investing involves risk and you may lose capital. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This page contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Broker tests are based on real, funded accounts. Full disclaimer.
FAQ: Best ETF Brokers for Europeans
Which broker is best for ETFs in Europe?
XTB is the best ETF broker in Europe in 2026, with a weighted score of 4.15 out of 5. It charges 0% on ETF purchases up to €100,000 per month and has the best platform in my tests. Scalable Capital is second for free savings plans and Interactive Brokers third for ETF range.
Which brokers offer free ETF savings plans?
Scalable Capital and Trade Republic offer free ETF savings plans from €1. XTB offers Investment Plans at 0% commission within its €100,000 monthly limit. DEGIRO, Interactive Brokers and Freedom24 charge a normal commission on every purchase.
Is XTB good for ETF investing?
Yes, especially for lump sums. XTB charges 0% commission on ETFs up to €100,000 of monthly turnover and offers fractional ETFs and Investment Plans. Watch the 0.5% conversion fee on USD-listed ETFs and the inactivity fee after 12 months without trades.
Scalable Capital or Trade Republic for ETFs?
Both run free savings plans from €1. Scalable Capital also makes one-off ETF trades free from €250, while Trade Republic charges €1. Trade Republic is available in more countries. The full comparison is in Scalable Capital vs Trade Republic.
Can Europeans buy US ETFs like VOO?
No. EU retail investors can only buy ETFs with a KID document, and US-domiciled ETFs do not publish one. You buy the UCITS version of the same index instead, for example an Irish-domiciled S&P 500 ETF. See VTI vs VOO for the European alternatives.
What is the minimum to start investing in ETFs?
€1. Scalable Capital and Trade Republic accept savings plans from €1 per execution thanks to fractional ETF units. XTB, Scalable Capital and Interactive Brokers have no minimum deposit; eToro asks for about $50 in most EU countries.
Are my ETFs safe if the broker goes bankrupt?
Your ETF units stay your property and are held in segregated accounts. Compensation schemes cover cash and missing securities, usually up to €20,000 per client. Always check which EU entity holds your account.
About the author: Sal Cocurullo has invested his own money since 2006. Every broker on this page was tested with a funded account, except where stated.
Why is XTB first if Scalable costs less on your own test portfolio?
Because on a €200 monthly plan the difference is €0 against €0. Both are free. What I use every day is the app, and XTB’s is the smoothest I have tested in five years as a client. If costs are your only criterion, pick Scalable, and I say so in the scoring section. Just check that Scalable serves your country: it works in six.