How to Buy ETFs on DEGIRO
(Step by Step, 2026)
DEGIRO is one of Europe’s lowest-cost brokers. The platform is straightforward once you know the steps — but two decisions, choosing the right exchange and using a limit order, determine a lot of what you actually pay. This guide walks you through the full process, including Core Selection, what to do if an order doesn’t fill, and what to check after you buy.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you sign up through them. This does not affect our reviews or recommendations — we only feature products we genuinely believe are useful for investors. This site provides educational content only, not personalized investment advice. Investments can lose value and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own financial decisions and for confirming the tax and legal rules that apply in your country.
Choose the right ETF before you open the order ticket
The order screen is the last step. The more common mistake is choosing the wrong ETF — or the wrong share class — before you even get there.
- Index: know what market the ETF tracks — MSCI World, FTSE All-World, S&P 500, bonds, or a narrower segment. This is the most important decision. The ETF is just the wrapper.
- Domicile: most European investors prefer Ireland or Luxembourg-domiciled UCITS ETFs. Tax treatment of dividends varies by domicile and your country of residence.
- Distribution policy: accumulating (Acc) ETFs reinvest dividends automatically; distributing (Dist) ETFs pay them out. For most European buy-and-hold investors, accumulating is more tax-efficient — but verify for your country. See the acc vs dist tax drag study.
- Fund size and age: ETFs with very small assets under management or that are newly launched carry closure and liquidity risk. Stick to established funds with at least €100–200M AUM unless you have a specific reason not to.
- Replication method: physical replication holds the underlying securities directly; synthetic replication uses swaps with a counterparty. Both are common in UCITS ETFs. Know which you’re buying.
- Trading currency vs fund currency: these are different. VWCE tracks a USD-denominated index and holds USD assets, but it trades in EUR on Xetra. You’re still exposed to USD currency movements — the trading currency just determines whether DEGIRO charges an FX conversion fee on your order.
- ISIN: use the ISIN when searching on DEGIRO, not the ticker. Ticker symbols are not unique across exchanges — the same ETF appears multiple times in search results. The ISIN is unique to each share class and eliminates ambiguity.
What you need before you start
Three things to have in place before placing your first order.
Identity verification takes 1–3 business days. Don’t have one yet? Open a DEGIRO account →
Transfer funds via SEPA bank transfer. DEGIRO does not accept card payments. Allow 1–2 business days for the transfer to settle.
Look up the ISIN beforehand — it uniquely identifies the fund and prevents selecting the wrong share class or currency variant in search results.
Buying an ETF on DEGIRO: the full process
Log in at degiro.eu or open the mobile app. On desktop, locate the Search product bar at the top of the screen. On mobile, tap the magnifying glass icon in the bottom navigation bar.
Confirm your cash balance is visible before proceeding. If you transferred recently and it’s not showing yet, allow 1–2 business days for the SEPA transfer to clear.
Type the ETF name, ticker, or ISIN into the search bar. Common examples:
| ETF | Ticker | ISIN |
|---|---|---|
| iShares Core MSCI World (USD, Acc) | IWDA | IE00B4L5Y983 |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World (USD, Acc) | VWCE | IE00BK5BQT80 |
| iShares Core S&P 500 (USD, Acc) | CSPX | IE00B5BMR087 |
Most popular UCITS ETFs list on several European exchanges simultaneously. DEGIRO shows a dropdown of available venues — choosing wrong here costs you 0.25% in FX conversion fees on every order.
| Exchange | Currency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xetra (XETRA) | EUR | Highest liquidity for most UCITS ETFs. Tightest spreads during market hours. |
| Euronext Amsterdam (AEX) | EUR | Good alternative; most major iShares and Vanguard listings available. |
| Tradegate (TDG) | EUR | Increasingly the designated Core Selection venue for many ETFs. Spreads can be wider than Xetra, especially outside peak hours — compare before choosing. |
| London Stock Exchange (LSE) | GBP / USD | Avoid for EUR accounts — triggers the 0.25% FX conversion fee per trade. |
| Borsa Italiana | EUR | EUR-denominated, but lower liquidity on most products. |
The order form asks for four things. On mobile, the Buy button appears at the bottom of the product screen — tap it to open the order form.
Before confirming, DEGIRO shows an order summary: ETF name and ISIN, exchange, number of shares, limit price, estimated total, and the transaction fee. Check this carefully — on the same ISIN, the fee shown in the summary is the authoritative number for that specific listing and venue.
Double-check the exchange and currency match your intention. On mobile, review the confirmation screen before tapping Place Order. Click or tap Confirm. The order moves to the Orders tab and executes once the market reaches your limit price. For major ETFs on Xetra during market hours, this is typically seconds to a few minutes.
Once filled, the ETF appears in your Portfolio tab.
A limit order only fills if the market can match your price or better. If your limit is too low relative to the ask, the order stays open or expires unfilled.
- Day order: expires at market close if not filled. On mobile, check the Orders tab — expired orders disappear automatically.
- GTC (Good Till Cancelled): remains open into future trading sessions depending on the exchange and routing. Monitor it actively — you may forget it’s open.
- Partial fill: if there is not enough liquidity at your limit price, part of the order may execute while the rest remains open. Both scenarios show in the Orders tab.
- Check the executed price, exchange, currency, and number of units against what you intended.
- Confirm the ETF appears correctly in your Portfolio tab.
- Download or note the transaction confirmation if you track taxes manually — you can access full transaction history and statements under Account Reports.
- Set a calendar reminder for your next monthly buy. DEGIRO does not automate orders, so the discipline is yours.
- Before the next order, recheck whether the ETF and exchange still show the same fee in the order ticket — Core Selection lists can change.
DEGIRO Core Selection: how it actually works
Core Selection is often marketed as “free ETF trading” — but the details matter more than the headline. Here’s what to check before assuming an ETF costs nothing.
- iShares (BlackRock) UCITS ETFs
- Vanguard UCITS ETFs
- Xtrackers (DWS) ETFs
- Amundi / Lyxor ETFs
- Covers global equity, EM, European equity, bonds
- 1,000+ ETFs currently in the Core Selection
- €0 commission per trade — but a €1 handling fee still applies
- One Core Selection trade per ETF per day (buy or sell)
- A minimum order size applies — verify the current threshold on DEGIRO’s site
- Core Selection pricing may require trading the ETF on a specific venue (often Tradegate)
- The list changes periodically — don’t assume, always verify
Tips that reduce what you actually pay
Xetra and Euronext Amsterdam are open 09:00–17:30 CET on weekdays. Tradegate has extended hours, but spreads widen significantly outside peak times. Always place limit orders during live market hours for the tightest spreads.
The spread is an implicit cost on top of the commission. For major MSCI World ETFs on Xetra it’s typically 0.01–0.05%. For niche or smaller ETFs it can reach 0.20–0.50%. Factor this in when comparing venues — a lower commission on Tradegate can be offset by a wider spread. See our spread cost calculator.
DEGIRO charges 0.25% on every currency conversion. For a euro account, always buy the ETF listed in EUR on Xetra or Euronext Amsterdam — not the LSE (GBP or USD) listing of the same fund. That 0.25% compounds on every buy and sell. See the FX drag study for long-run data.
For most European investors, accumulating (Acc) ETFs are more tax-efficient — dividends reinvest automatically without triggering a taxable event at distribution. Check the rules for your specific country. See the acc vs dist tax drag study.
EU retail investors cannot buy most US-listed ETFs (VOO, SPY, VTI) due to PRIIPs regulations — DEGIRO will not let you complete the order. UCITS equivalents track the same indices at comparable costs. See our UCITS vs US ETF total drag comparison.
DEGIRO does not offer automated savings plans. Set a fixed day each month, check your cash balance, and place the order manually. If automation is a priority, Trade Republic and Scalable Capital both offer recurring plan features.
Transferring positions out of DEGIRO to another broker carries a fee per position (check current pricing on DEGIRO’s site). This is not a reason not to use DEGIRO, but it’s worth knowing before you build a multi-position portfolio — transferring a 10-position portfolio is materially more expensive than starting fresh elsewhere.
DEGIRO provides an annual tax report, transaction history, and account statements you can download from the platform (Account → Reports). These are available for self-assessment filing. DEGIRO does not act as a tax agent or withholding agent in most countries — you remain responsible for your own tax filing. Link to country tax guides: tax by country →
Ready to open a DEGIRO account?
DEGIRO is one of the cheapest brokers available to European investors. Core Selection ETFs have minimal trading costs, and fees beyond that are among the lowest on the continent.
Go deeper
Frequently asked questions
Are ETF purchases on DEGIRO free?
Not entirely. Core Selection ETFs have €0 commission, but a €1 handling fee still applies per trade. Outside Core Selection, standard DEGIRO fees are €2 + €1 handling = €3 per trade on most European exchanges. Core Selection pricing also depends on the specific exchange listing — check the commission shown in the order ticket before confirming. Verify the current fee structure and Core Selection list on DEGIRO’s website.
Is every Core Selection ETF cheap on every exchange listing?
No — this is the most common misunderstanding. Core Selection pricing depends on the specific ISIN + exchange combination, not just the fund name. The same ETF may appear on Xetra, Euronext, and Tradegate, but Core Selection treatment may apply to only one of those listings (often Tradegate). Before confirming an order, check the commission label in the order ticket. Never assume based on the ETF name or the fact that you’ve seen it in the Core Selection list.
Which exchange should I choose when buying an ETF on DEGIRO?
Pick the exchange that trades in your account’s base currency — this avoids the 0.25% FX conversion fee that applies on every cross-currency trade. For euro-denominated accounts, Xetra typically offers the tightest spreads and deepest liquidity for major UCITS ETFs. Tradegate is increasingly the designated Core Selection venue for many ETFs but can have wider spreads, especially outside peak hours. Compare the spread and the commission label in the order ticket before choosing a venue.
Should I use a market order or a limit order on DEGIRO?
Limit orders are strongly recommended. A market order executes at the next available price, which can be significantly higher than the quoted price — especially at market open, near close, or for less-liquid ETFs with wide bid-ask spreads. A limit order caps what you pay. Set your limit 0.05–0.10% above the current ask price for a prompt fill without chasing the market.
What happens if my limit order does not execute?
If the market never reaches your limit price, the order stays open or expires unfilled. A Day order expires at market close. A GTC (Good Till Cancelled) order remains open into future sessions depending on the exchange and routing — monitor it so you don’t forget it’s open. Your order can also be partially filled if there is not enough liquidity at your limit price; the remainder stays open as a separate open order.
Can I buy fractional ETF shares on DEGIRO?
No. DEGIRO supports whole-share trading only. If one ETF unit costs more than your available cash, the order will not go through. For monthly investors on a fixed contribution amount, this means part of your cash may sit uninvested each month until you accumulate enough for the next whole unit. If fractional investing matters to you, Trading 212 and Trade Republic both support it.
Why is my ETF visible on DEGIRO but not available to buy?
The most common reason is a missing KID (Key Information Document) in your local language, or the product not being authorised for sale in your country of residence. This frequently affects US-listed ETFs (VOO, VTI, SPY, QQQ) due to PRIIPs regulations — these are simply unavailable to EU and UK retail investors. If you see this, search for a UCITS equivalent instead. For example, CSPX (iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS) tracks the same index as SPY and is fully available on DEGIRO for EU investors.
Can I set up automatic recurring ETF investments on DEGIRO?
DEGIRO does not offer automated savings plans or recurring investment features. Each order must be placed manually. Set a fixed date each month and treat it as a non-negotiable calendar appointment. If automation is a priority for you, both Trade Republic and Scalable Capital offer savings plan features. See the Trade Republic vs DEGIRO comparison.
What is the minimum investment amount for ETFs on DEGIRO?
DEGIRO does not impose a minimum investment amount. You need enough cash to buy at least one whole unit of the ETF at its current market price. Most major UCITS ETFs on Xetra trade between €5 and €100 per unit, so even modest monthly contributions are practical. Note that Core Selection orders may have a minimum size to qualify for the reduced-cost treatment — verify the current threshold on DEGIRO’s site.
Are my investments protected if DEGIRO fails?
DEGIRO holds client investments through a separate custodian structure (a Special Purpose Vehicle), legally segregated from DEGIRO’s own assets. If DEGIRO became insolvent, your investments would not form part of DEGIRO’s estate. Cash balances are held at flatexDEGIRO Bank SE and protected up to €100,000 under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme. The German Investor Compensation Scheme provides an additional layer of protection of up to €20,000 for the return of client assets. None of this protects you from market risk — your ETF can still fall in value regardless of the broker’s financial health.
Does DEGIRO provide tax reporting documents?
Yes. DEGIRO provides an annual tax report, transaction history, portfolio overviews, and account statements that you can download from the platform (Account → Reports) or the app. These are useful for self-assessment filing and manual tax tracking. DEGIRO does not act as a tax withholding agent in most countries — you remain responsible for calculating and filing your own taxes based on the reports provided. For country-specific guidance, see our investing taxes by country section.
QuantRoutine provides educational content only. Nothing on this page is an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to open an account with any specific broker. Investments can lose value, and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own investment, tax, and legal decisions. Always review each broker’s current terms, fees, and eligibility on their official website before opening or funding an account.