The best broker for a long-term ETF investor is not the one with the most features. It is one that is cheap for regular purchases, safe, available in your country and easy to live with at tax time. Here is how the best brokers for ETF investors in Europe compare.
In short
- For small monthly amounts, brokers with free ETF savings plans (Trade Republic, Scalable Capital, Trading 212) are hard to beat.
- For larger or more international portfolios, Interactive Brokers offers very low costs and access to almost every market.
- Check three things before choosing: availability in your country, investor protection and how the broker handles tax reporting where you live.
The best brokers for ETF investors compared
| Broker | One-off ETF purchase | Automatic savings plans | Regulated in | Investor protection for securities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | 0.05% of the trade, minimum €1.25 (tiered pricing, Xetra) | Recurring investments, commission applies | Ireland (EU clients) | Up to €20,000 (Irish scheme) |
| Trade Republic | €1 per order | Free, from €1 | Germany (licensed bank) | Securities segregated; cash covered by German deposit protection |
| Scalable Capital | €0.99 on its own venue; €1.99 on Xetra and gettex | Free, from €1 | Germany | Securities segregated |
| Trading 212 | €0 commission; 0.15% currency fee on conversions | Free “Pies”, from €1 | Cyprus, Germany, UK | Up to €20,000 in the EU; up to £85,000 in the UK |
| XTB | €0 up to €100,000 of trades a month, then 0.2% (minimum €10) | Investment Plans, from €15 | Poland | Up to €22,000 (Polish scheme) |
| DEGIRO | €1 on Core Selection ETFs; €3 on other exchanges | Not available | Germany and the Netherlands | Up to €20,000 |
Fees as published by the brokers and compiled by justETF (November 2026) and Freenance (2026). Brokers change their pricing often; always check the current fee page before opening an account.
Interactive Brokers: best for larger and international portfolios
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) gives access to almost every exchange in the world with very low commissions and currency conversion at close to the market rate (0.002%, minimum $2). It suits investors with larger portfolios, those who move between countries, and anyone who wants more than ETFs.
- Pros: very low costs at scale, huge choice, available in more than 200 countries, strong reputation.
- Cons: the platform is complex for beginners; small monthly purchases pay a minimum commission.
Trade Republic: simplest for monthly investing
Trade Republic is a German bank and broker built around a phone app. ETF savings plans are free from €1, and one-off orders cost €1. It is available in many EU countries and pays interest on uninvested cash.
- Pros: very simple, free savings plans for about 3,000 ETFs, banking licence.
- Cons: limited choice of exchanges and order types; check how it handles tax reporting in your country.
Scalable Capital: free savings plans and a flat-fee option
Scalable Capital offers free ETF savings plans from €1 on more than 3,500 ETFs. Its FREE plan charges €0.99 per one-off order on its own venue; the PRIME+ subscription (€4.99 a month) makes larger orders free. It is available in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
- Pros: the widest choice of free savings plans, good tools.
- Cons: available in fewer countries; one-off orders on Xetra and gettex cost €1.99.
Trading 212: zero commission and a UK ISA
Trading 212 charges no commission on ETFs, offers automatic “Pies” from €1, and in the UK provides a Stocks and Shares ISA. The main cost is a 0.15% fee when your money is converted into another currency, so buy ETF lines quoted in your own currency.
- Pros: no commissions, fractional shares, easy app, available in 30+ countries.
- Cons: the app also promotes CFDs, which are not suitable for long-term investors.
XTB: commission-free up to a monthly limit
XTB charges no commission on ETFs up to €100,000 of trades a month and offers Investment Plans from €15. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, which is high if you buy ETFs in another currency.
- Pros: no commission for typical monthly amounts, regulated in the EU and the UK.
- Cons: higher currency fee; focus on active trading products.
DEGIRO: low fees, no savings plans
DEGIRO charges €1 per order on its Core Selection ETFs and €3 elsewhere, plus a €2.50 yearly connectivity fee per foreign exchange. It does not offer automatic savings plans, and ETFs are bought in whole units.
- Pros: low costs for occasional larger purchases, long track record.
- Cons: no automatic investing; whole units only.
Which one fits you?
- Investing €50-500 a month and want it automatic: Trade Republic, Scalable Capital or Trading 212.
- Larger portfolio, several currencies or living abroad: Interactive Brokers.
- UK resident: a platform that offers a Stocks and Shares ISA. See the ISA explained.
- Occasional large purchases: DEGIRO or Interactive Brokers.
Before you open an account
- Confirm the broker is available to residents of your country.
- Check which legal entity holds your account and its regulator. See what happens if your broker goes bust.
- Find out whether the broker provides tax documents for your country, or whether you must declare everything yourself.
- Make sure your chosen ETF is available in your currency and in a free savings plan.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Fees and availability change often; check the broker before opening an account.