Updated September 18, 2026 · Written by Sal Cocurullo, investing since 2006
Freedom24 is the best options trading platform in Europe for most investors, with a zero minimum deposit and clear per-contract pricing.
Regulated broker. Options on US and European stocks. Clear pricing.
Freedom24 (Recommended platform for EU options trading)
- Regulated in Europe
- Options on US stocks, from $0.65 per contract
- Zero minimum deposit
- Suitable for beginner and intermediate traders
I use Freedom24 because it offers direct access to US stock options from Europe, with clear pricing.
Access to a particular financial instrument is subject to an appropriateness test. Investor protection up to €20,000. Affiliate link: if you open an account through it, RevenueLand may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
- Real accounts and my own capital on Freedom24, Interactive Brokers, Tastytrade and DEGIRO.
- On Saxo Europe I have a registered account but haven’t yet placed an options trade there: this is stated clearly in its section.
- Every broker’s fees are checked against that broker’s own pricing page, not copied from other articles or comparison sites.
Full method: how I test and rank brokers.
Quick comparison: the 5 options platforms compared
| Broker | Options fee | Best for | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom24 | From $0.65 per contract (Smart plan) | EU investors, zero minimum deposit | Regulated in Europe |
| Interactive Brokers | $0.65 per US contract (min $1 per order) | Advanced traders, multi-exchange access | Central Bank of Ireland (EU clients); SEC, FINRA in the US |
| Tastytrade | $1 per contract to open, $0 to close | Active traders, premium-selling strategies | SEC, FINRA |
| Saxo (account open, options not tested) | From €0.75 / $2.00 per contract (Classic tier) | Investors who want one broker for every asset class | Danish FSA, other EU regulators |
| DEGIRO | €0.75 / $0.75 per contract + €5/month | Only if you’re already a client, for occasional use | BaFin, DNB |
Per-contract fee on US options. Freedom24 and Interactive Brokers are the cheapest per contract; DEGIRO adds a monthly connectivity fee for US derivatives markets.
Before you trade, check how options profits are taxed in Europe: from 19% in Spain to 31.4% in France, with different rules for losses in each country.
Freedom24: my first choice for US options from Europe
Among the platforms I’ve tested, Freedom24 stands out for simplicity and direct access to listed US options. Freedom Finance Europe, the company’s official name, gives access to more than 1,000,000 instruments across stocks, ETFs, bonds and options, with over 800,000 call and put combinations on US stocks.
Commissions are fair, especially on the EUR plan, and the app is easy enough that even less experienced traders feel comfortable. Trading options costs more if you choose the all-inclusive USD account, where you can pay up to $3 per contract.
Options on Freedom24 are US-style, so you’re free to exercise your pre-expiration right (not guaranteed with European-style options). If you wait for natural expiry, you pay nothing.
- European-style options are not supported
- Trading from the app is better than from the web platform
- Extremely easy to use
- Clear and uncluttered interface
- 1,000,000 instruments available
- No cost for natural expiry
- Options trading also possible through the API
- S&P 500 NANOS options with a lot size of x1 instead of x100
- US options on 2,500 stocks across the S&P 500 and Russell 2000
- New options can be added on client request
Is Freedom24 regulated as a European options broker? Yes. Freedom Finance Europe is regulated in Europe and licensed to operate across all EU member states. Freedom24 is part of a listed group, Freedom Holding Corp.
See options on F24Access to a particular financial instrument is subject to an appropriateness test. Investor protection up to €20,000. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Before investing, it is crucial to conduct your own analysis and consider the associated risks. Affiliate link: if you open an account through it, RevenueLand may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Interactive Brokers: the standard for professional-grade tools
Interactive Brokers needs no introduction: it has been around since 1975 and held 5.185 million client accounts in Q2 2026. Those who choose it don’t do it to save on commissions, but for its market access and execution quality.
The quality of execution is high and the analysis tools will appeal to advanced traders. I found their Trader Workstation impressive but a little intimidating at first. Interactive Brokers isn’t known for being a good platform for beginners in options trading, though it has recently made improvements for less advanced users.
On US options the fee is $0.65 per contract for most retail trades, with a $1 minimum per order; it can fall further at higher volumes. On European options the fee varies by exchange, so check the official pricing page before trading since it changes from one venue to another.
- Not suitable for beginner and intermediate traders
- Average cost per contract
- Low to medium trading costs
- Wide availability of tools
- Good analytical tools
- Access to multiple exchanges from a single account
Is Interactive Brokers regulated as an international options platform? Yes. EU clients are served by Interactive Brokers Ireland, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The group is also overseen by the SEC and FINRA in the US.
Read also the IBKR vs Freedom24 comparison if you need to choose between the two.
Read the IBKR vs Freedom24 reviewNo active affiliate relationship with Interactive Brokers on this page: the link goes to one of my own internal articles, not an affiliate link.
Tastytrade: for frequent traders who close early
This platform is built around the needs of advanced investors willing to trade a lot. Tastytrade’s commissions are different from other brokers and aren’t too expensive for a platform of this level: $1 per contract to open (capped at $10 per leg), $0 to close, plus a $0.10 clearing fee per contract.
Tastytrade offers comprehensive options analytics, intuitive trade input and competitive commissions without compromising quality. Their tools cover what options traders call “the Greeks” for multi-leg strategies, along with profitability graphs.
I found their easy order entry useful, with preset trade structures for strategies like vertical spreads or butterflies. You can adjust expiration dates and strike prices, while the platform shows real probabilities for the strategy’s success. Like Freedom24, it also offers ETFs, stocks and “ordinary assets”.
- The news feed isn’t real time
- It’s all about trading; long-term investors may feel disoriented
- Cheap, but not the cheapest
- Web experience is a bit better than the mobile app
- Educational resources are great for intermediate traders
- Lots of advanced charts and information while trading
- Very popular in the US, only recently available to European traders
- Customer service is fairly fast
Is Tastytrade regulated as an international options platform? Yes. Tastytrade (formerly Tastyworks) is regulated by the SEC and FINRA.
No affiliate relationship with Tastytrade: no affiliate link on this card.
Saxo: a full-service platform, but I haven’t tested its options yet
To be upfront: I have an active Saxo Europe account, but I haven’t yet placed an options trade on this platform. What follows comes from Saxo’s official price list and from using the platform for other asset classes, not from direct experience with its options. When I’ve tested that part too, I’ll update this section with real data.
Saxo applies a per-contract price on listed stock options, on tiers: Classic pays €0.75 for contracts in EUR and $2.00 for contracts in USD; the Platinum and VIP tiers fall to as low as $0.75 per contract in USD at higher volumes. There are no minimum ticket fees. Overnight short positions carry a holding cost calculated on the margin requirement (3.5% a year on Classic, lower on the higher tiers).
Saxo is among the most established brokers in Europe by history and Danish banking licence, and it’s a sensible option for anyone who wants a single account for stocks, ETFs, bonds and options together. Since I haven’t tested its options side yet, I don’t rank it above Freedom24 or IBKR on this page. Data verified from Saxo’s official options price list, September 2026.
No affiliate relationship with Saxo on revenue.land: no affiliate link on this card.
DEGIRO: the last choice, without real single-stock options
I’m putting DEGIRO last, with a clear caveat: it isn’t really an options trading platform. Since it’s so popular with investors in Europe, myself included, I’ve decided to mention it anyway. You won’t be able to trade options on individual US stocks here, only on indexes, which is fine for most novice options traders.
DEGIRO can be a way to get your feet wet in options trading, especially for those who already use it and don’t want to open a new account just for derivatives. Don’t expect it to be the cheapest or the most sophisticated. You need an Active, Trader or Day Trader profile: the default Basic profile doesn’t allow options trading.
The cost is €0.75 per contract on European exchanges and $0.75 on US exchanges, plus a €5 monthly connectivity fee for US derivatives markets when you trade or hold a position there.
- Rather expensive for options trading
- Basic platform for advanced strategies
- Can’t trade options on individual stocks, only on indexes
- Not the best options platform, but still reasonable
- Convenient if you’re already a client and don’t want to switch broker
- Basic can be better than overcomplicated for beginners
Is DEGIRO regulated as a European options platform? Yes. It’s part of flatexDEGIRO Bank, supervised by BaFin in Germany and registered with DNB in the Netherlands.
For a full comparison of DEGIRO as a general broker, not just for options, read the best brokers in Europe.
Other European options brokers I don’t recommend (yet)
We traders aren’t all the same, and we have different opinions on what makes a good options platform. For completeness: Swissquote offers options and is popular in some countries, but it isn’t specialised and its pricing structure is complex. I don’t know it well enough yet to rank it. XTB, Trading 212 and Revolut don’t offer listed options to European clients.
If you don’t want to trade only options, check the official best brokers in Europe list. Keep in mind that the best trading platforms in Europe for stocks and ETFs may differ from these, which are focused on options.
What European options traders are saying
In online communities, European options traders often complain about the same thing: US options brokers don’t allow Europeans to use them, and that’s true in most cases. Some users prefer Interactive Brokers only for stocks and ETFs, not for options, regardless of the investor protection on offer.
The recurring discussion is about how to trade US-listed options from a European account, and which brokers really allow it without hidden fees: that’s the reason I wrote this page.
What does it mean to trade options?
An option is a contract linked to an underlying asset (stock, ETF or index). It gives the right, not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) the underlying at a specific price (strike) before a set expiration date. One standard options contract typically represents 100 shares.
This page compares platforms, not strategies. For the full walkthrough on call vs put, the appropriateness test, and beginner strategies like covered calls and cash-secured puts, read options trading for beginners in Europe. If you already trade and want setups on a specific underlying, see trading QQQ options.
When you buy an option, your maximum loss is always the premium paid. Writing (selling) options works the other way round: the premium collected is the maximum gain, and losses can be far larger, which is why brokers only allow writing after an appropriateness test.
American vs European options: what’s the difference
US options are American-style: you can exercise them at any point before expiry. European options can only be exercised at expiry. Most brokers on this page give access to American-style US options; Interactive Brokers and Saxo also offer European index options, typically European-style.
American style: exercise possible at any time. European style: exercise possible only at expiry.
Read more in American vs European options if this distinction matters for your strategy.
Which broker to choose based on your profile
What to consider before choosing an options broker
Platform. You need option chains, the Greeks (Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega), implied volatility and probability-of-profit metrics to assess a strategy before opening it.
Fees. Options are traded more often than stocks or ETFs, because of their fixed expiry: per-contract costs and any closing or exercise fees add up faster over time.
Regulation. EU-regulated brokers (Freedom24, DEGIRO, Saxo, IBKR’s Irish entity) offer MiFID II passporting and a local compensation scheme, typically €20,000 to €100,000. Tastytrade operates from a US entity regulated by the SEC and FINRA: always check access conditions and protection for European residents with the broker before opening an account.
Taxes and paperwork. Most brokers on this page are foreign for most readers, so they send an annual statement and leave the tax return to you. Rates, loss rules and foreign account forms by country are in options trading taxes in Europe.
Alerts and exercise. A call option on a stock with an upcoming earnings report can move sharply after the announcement: brokers with expiry and assignment alerts help you avoid surprises.
FAQ
Can you trade options on Trading 212?
No. As of September 2026, Trading 212 doesn’t offer options trading.
Can you trade options on Revolut?
No. Revolut doesn’t offer options trading to European customers as of September 2026.
Can you trade options on eToro?
eToro launched options through its US entity (eToro USA Securities, regulated by FINRA and SIPC). I haven’t verified that the product is already available to European clients: check directly in the eToro app for your region before opening an account just for this.
Do I need $25,000 to trade options?
No. The $25,000 Pattern Day Trader rule applies to day trading on US accounts, not to options trading in general and not to the European brokers on this page.
How are options profits taxed in Europe?
Your country of residence taxes them, not the US. In 2026 the rate is 26% in Italy, 26.375% in Germany, 31.4% in France and 19% to 30% in Spain. Details in options trading taxes in Europe.
What’s the difference between this page and the best brokers in Europe ranking?
This page compares platforms based on what they offer for options trading. For a general ranking on stocks, ETFs and everyday accounts, see the best brokers in Europe or the best trading platforms in Europe: the best broker for options isn’t always the best for everything else.
Conclusion and winner: best options broker in Europe
There is no single best options broker for everyone. Some European investors prefer platforms focused on simplicity and guided access to US options, while others prioritise advanced tools and professional execution.
Based on my testing, Freedom24 can be a suitable option for investors looking for a simpler entry point into listed US options, while platforms like Interactive Brokers or Tastytrade may better suit experienced traders. Saxo can make sense if you want a single multi-asset account, but here I’m only reporting official data, not direct experience with its options. DEGIRO is fine only if you’re already a client and want to try it out, without expecting a genuine options platform.
Europe offers several regulated options trading platforms, each suited to a different investor profile, and it’s important to consider regulation, market access and a cost structure designed for EU residents. RevenueLand publishes independent and regularly updated comparisons of the main options brokers used by European investors.
Want to start from the basics before opening an account? Read how to trade options in Europe step by step, or if you want to stick to US stocks, how to trade US options from Europe.
Options are complex instruments with a high risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors. Every investment carries risk. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Before investing, conduct your own analysis and consider the associated risks.
I will give options a second try. I’ve bought a book, I need to study first. Possibilities with options are endless.
Thanks for commenting, Stan.
That’s very helpful for us, Excellent work. Thank you for providing free info on options, I am not into this but I start to understand
I have tried Freedom24 and also Interactive Brokers for options trading in Germany.
I prefer Freedom24 and I think it is also cheaper. This is my opinion.
Thank you for your comment.
Options trading is amazing. I will pick freedom24 and start today. Thanks for testing the platforms for us, Sal!
Your writing has a way of making complex topics seem approachable. Thank you for demystifying this subject for me.