MONEY GUIDE
Best Broker for Recurring Investing in Europe (Monthly ETFs, Low FX, UCITS-ready)
“Recurring investing” is not a feature — it’s a system: fund your account on schedule, convert currency with minimal leakage, buy the same small set of ETFs, and repeat for years. This guide helps you pick the broker that makes that system easiest for EU/UK retail reality (UCITS + FX + eligibility).
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
Eligibility, products, automation features, and fees can change by country and entity. Always verify current terms on the broker’s official site before opening or funding.
Quick picks for recurring investing in Europe: pick a broker you can use with your residency, then minimize FX + friction so you don’t quit.
Fast decision
- Default “core broker”: IBKR if you want multi-currency + broad access and don’t want to outgrow your setup.
- App-first monthly buys: Trading 212 if it’s available in your country and you keep FX/spread leakage controlled.
- EU classic: DEGIRO if it matches your residency + product needs and the workflow keeps you consistent.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
TL;DR
- The “best” recurring broker is the one you can actually use with your residency, that lets you buy compliant ETFs (often UCITS), and that minimizes FX + friction.
- IBKR is the default core for many European investors because it’s built for multi-currency + broad market access. Keep the system simple and it works.
- App-first brokers can feel easier for monthly investing — but only if availability + products match your country and you don’t leak return via FX/spreads.
- Your edge is consistency. If the broker makes funding and buying annoying, you’ll stop. Friction beats “fees” in real life.
Example plan: €100/month into one world UCITS ETF
This is a simple recurring setup designed to reduce decision fatigue: one broad world UCITS ETF, one schedule, one rule set. Adjust amounts, not complexity.
SETUP
- Amount: €100 per month
- Schedule: same day each month (e.g., 3rd)
- Asset: one broad world UCITS equity ETF (accumulating if available/appropriate)
- Order type: recurring buy if supported; otherwise limit order
- Rule: never pause contributions because of headlines
EXECUTION RULES
- Prefer a broker that supports recurring investing and/or fractional if needed
- Keep FX conversions consistent (avoid random small conversions)
- Avoid market orders if you place manually; use a reasonable limit
- Once per year: check allocation drift and rebalance only if needed
UPGRADE PATH
After 6–12 months of consistency, upgrade the plan only if it solves a real problem: add a bond UCITS ETF (risk control), or move to a 2–3 fund setup (coverage), but keep the recurring habit unchanged.
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
ETF CHECKLIST
How to choose a world ETF (MSCI World vs FTSE All-World)
One page that prevents 90% of beginner confusion: index choice, UCITS wrapper, costs that matter, and execution rules.
Recurring investing in Europe = 3 layers
Treat recurring investing as a workflow. If you solve these three layers, you’re done.
LAYER 1
Recurring funding
SEPA (or local transfer) deposits happen on schedule. No “should I invest this month?” debate.
LAYER 2
Currency rule (FX)
You define when/how you convert EUR→USD (or you stick to EUR-listed UCITS). This prevents hidden leakage.
LAYER 3
Recurring buys
You buy the same small ETF set. Automation can help, but a strict monthly routine works too.
If you’re unsure about ETF wrappers first: UCITS vs US ETFs · For the broker decision tree: Best broker for UCITS ETFs (Europe)
Europe reality check (UCITS + eligibility beats “best broker lists”)
In EU/UK retail, the constraint is often not “which ETF is best” but which ETF wrapper your broker lets you buy. If your broker blocks US-domiciled ETFs for retail, recurring investing becomes a UCITS implementation problem.
- UCITS access: recurring investing is easiest when you can buy the same broad UCITS ETFs every month.
- FX friction: if your workflow forces frequent EUR→USD conversions, the “hidden fee” can dominate.
- Availability: brokers differ by country/entity; assume nothing until you confirm eligibility.
If you mainly invest in USD assets from Europe, read: Best broker for cheapest FX (Europe → USD).
Costs that actually matter for monthly investing
With small monthly contributions, the most painful costs are the ones you pay repeatedly.
| Cost layer | What to watch | Why it matters for recurring |
|---|---|---|
| FX conversion | Spread + fixed fees + forced conversions | Repeated monthly conversions compound into a permanent drag. |
| Trading commissions | Minimum per order / per-trade fees | Small buys get punished if there’s a minimum fee. |
| Spreads / liquidity | Wide spreads on niche ETFs | Recurring buys should be in liquid, boring ETFs. |
| Account fees | Inactivity / custody / platform tiers | Silent leaks matter more when balances are still small. |
| Behavior tax | Trading-first UX temptation | More buttons → more mistakes → more costs. |
Numbers backing the “small % becomes big” idea: Study: fees compound · Study: cash drag · Fees really matter
REFERENCE
EU broker fees glossary (spreads, FX markup, custody, lending)
“Commission-free” is not free. Use this glossary to decode spreads, FX costs, platform fees, and lending policies.
ETF CHECKLIST
How to choose an S&P 500 UCITS ETF (checklist)
Use this to pick the right UCITS fund + the right listing (exchange/currency) without overfocusing on TER. The real drag is usually spreads, liquidity, and tracking difference.
- • Shortlist by issuer + ISIN (don’t compare “tickers” across exchanges blindly)
- • Choose the most liquid listing (tighter spreads, better fills)
- • Sanity-check tracking difference vs TER and avoid thin listings
Best broker picks for recurring investing (Europe)
BEST DEFAULT CORE
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Best fit when your priority is long-term repeatability: broad market access, multi-currency handling, and a platform that scales with you. The trade-off is complexity — so keep your ETF list small and your rule strict.
- Good “core broker” profile for long-term investing from many European countries.
- Multi-currency workflow is useful when your investing involves USD exposure.
- Works best when you avoid over-engineering: 1–3 broad ETFs + one monthly routine.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
SIMPLE APP-FIRST
Trading 212
Best fit if you want an app-first experience for monthly investing and you prefer simplicity over “pro broker” depth. The constraint is always the same: confirm country eligibility, product access, and total costs for your exact workflow.
- Strong when your goal is “deposit → buy the same ETFs → stop thinking.”
- Works best with a small number of broad, liquid ETFs (avoid niche stuff).
- Verify FX/spread behavior for your currency and the ETFs you buy.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
EU CLASSIC
DEGIRO
Best fit if you want a more “classic brokerage” feel and you’re building a simple long-term ETF routine. Recurring investing still works if you’re disciplined — even if you execute buys manually once per month.
- Works well when you keep the routine predictable (same date, same ETF list).
- Be strict about FX costs and avoid unnecessary conversions.
- Use limit orders on less liquid ETFs if spreads are wide.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
Quick comparison (monthly investing mindset)
| Broker | Best at | Recurring investing fit | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBKR | Core long-term broker + multi-currency practicality | Great for a strict monthly routine and long-run scalability | More complex UI; keep holdings simple to avoid friction. |
| Trading 212 | App-first “keep it simple” monthly investing | Strong if eligibility + products match your country | Always verify total costs (FX + spreads) for your workflow. |
| DEGIRO | Classic brokerage workflow | Works well if you can stick to a manual monthly buy rule | Recurring success depends on discipline and FX/spread awareness. |
The best recurring setup is the one you’ll execute for 10+ years. Broker UX matters only if it changes behavior.
Checklist: recurring investing that actually sticks
- Pick your ETF set first: 1–3 broad, low-cost ETFs beats a “smart” list you won’t maintain.
- Confirm wrapper eligibility: if you’re EU/UK retail, default to UCITS unless your broker explicitly supports US ETFs for you.
- Choose your cadence: monthly is default. Pick a date (e.g., 2nd) and treat it as non-negotiable.
- Define an FX rule: either buy EUR-listed UCITS, or convert EUR→USD with a consistent, low-leakage process.
- Use boring execution: market orders for highly liquid ETFs; limit orders if spreads are wide.
- Rebalance simply: annual rebalance is enough for most long-term investors.
Supporting guides: Open a broker account · Broker checklist · DCA vs lump sum · Rebalancing without stress
Want the “why” behind staying consistent? Use the studies, then choose the broker that makes monthly investing easiest.
CALCULATOR
FX drag calculator
Turn FX spread/markup into a long-run cost. Useful for non-US investors buying USD assets on a schedule.
Best when: you convert currency often, your broker hides FX markup, or you invest monthly.
CLUSTER
Related guides
Use these pages together to optimize recurring investing: broker choice → FX drag → behavior.
If FX dominates, this matters more than “$0 commissions.”
The realistic default for EU/UK retail investors.
Recurring investing is mainly a behavior system.
What the data says vs what feels safer.
The hidden cost of waiting and overthinking.
The hidden cost of currency conversion: spreads, repeated conversions, and “small %” leakage over time.
Make the plan realistic so you can stick to it.
FAQ: recurring investing in Europe
What is the best “recurring investing” frequency in Europe? +
Do I need US ETFs for a good long-term plan? +
What’s the biggest hidden cost for Europeans investing in USD assets? +
Should I convert EUR→USD every month or in larger chunks? +
Is it okay if my broker doesn’t have a “recurring buy” feature? +
What is the simplest ETF approach for recurring investing? +
Bottom line Recurring investing wins when your broker reduces friction. If in doubt, default to a core broker you won’t outgrow, keep the ETF list small, and automate the calendar.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
Want to keep “research” separate from “execution”? Use TradingView for watchlists, alerts, and chart context — then execute your recurring buys at your broker.
Try TradingView Pro →Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you subscribe using our link. You never pay extra.
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
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 decisions and for confirming tax and legal rules in your country. Always review each broker’s current terms, fees, and eligibility on their official website before opening or funding an account.