The single broker that can follow you across the move. If you held an IBKR account through a European entity (IBKR Ireland, IBKR UK, etc.), the account can be transitioned to IBKR LLC — the US entity — without closing and reopening. You keep your holdings history and don’t need to liquidate first. As a US resident on IBKR, the UCITS restriction drops; you can now buy US-listed ETFs (VTI, SCHB, VT) commission-free. IBKR also supports the complex multi-currency workflows that EU expats with ongoing European financial ties tend to need.

• Transition: existing EU IBKR accounts can move to the US entity — no forced liquidation on the broker side (tax implications are separate and need advice).
• Access: full access to US-listed ETFs, stocks, bonds, and options as a US resident; deepest catalogue of any broker here.
• Multi-currency: strong support for EUR, GBP, and USD accounts simultaneously — useful if you retain European financial ties.
• Limitation: interface complexity; not the most beginner-friendly for those who just want a simple US account without IBKR’s full toolset.

The most established full-service US broker on this list, and the natural long-term home for EU expats who plan to stay in the US permanently or for an extended period. Schwab has an active international services division that is experienced handling the accounts of foreign nationals and dual-residency situations. Zero commission, no account minimum, fractional shares (Schwab Stock Slices for S&P 500 names), and an excellent research platform. US-listed ETFs from Vanguard, iShares, and Schwab’s own range are all available commission-free.

• International services: Schwab’s dedicated international division understands the complexity of non-US-born residents — a meaningful differentiator.
• ETF access: full access to US-listed ETFs; Schwab’s own ETFs (SCHB, SCHX, SCHI) are among the cheapest available.
• Full service: banking integration, retirement accounts (IRA, Roth IRA), and advisory services available if needed.

Consistently rated the best all-round US broker for retail investors, and a strong choice for EU expats starting fresh in the US. Zero commission, zero account minimum, and the best fractional share implementation in the market — Fidelity Stocks by the Slice lets you invest from $1 in any S&P 500 stock or ETF. Research tools are excellent, and the mobile app is clean without the behavioural design issues of some newer platforms. Retirement accounts (IRA, Roth IRA) are straightforward to open alongside a standard brokerage account.

• Fractional shares: from $1 in any S&P 500 name — more accessible than Schwab’s Stock Slices and ideal when deploying capital gradually.
• Research: strong in-house research, third-party reports, and screeners — useful for EU expats building a new investment thesis in the US market.
• IRA accounts: straightforward access to tax-advantaged US retirement accounts, which are a major benefit of US residency that EU expats often underuse.

M1’s Pie-based portfolio system is one of the most effective automation tools in US retail brokerage. You define target allocations across ETFs, set a recurring contribution, and M1 handles the rest — buying fractional shares across positions to maintain your target weights. Zero commission for accounts above $10,000 (otherwise $3/month). For EU expats who want to replicate the automated ETF savings plan experience they were used to in Europe (via Trade Republic or Scalable Capital savings plans), M1 is the closest US equivalent. Not the right choice if you need complex order types, active trading tools, or international market access.

• Automation: recurring investments across a defined ETF allocation — the closest US equivalent to a European savings plan.
• Fractional shares: all positions can be fractional; your full contribution is always deployed.
• Limitation: US stocks and ETFs only; no international market access; $3/month fee waived only above $10,000 balance.

Zero commission, no minimum deposit, and one of the better-designed trading apps in the US market. Webull suits EU expats who are comfortable monitoring their portfolio actively, want access to detailed charting and screeners, or are interested in options alongside their ETF allocation. Less suited to pure passive investors than M1 or Fidelity — the platform’s design favours active engagement, which can increase trading frequency if you’re not disciplined about your strategy. No international market access; US stocks, ETFs, and options only.

• Tools: strong charting, screeners, and real-time data — better than Schwab or Fidelity for active market monitoring.
• Zero cost: no commission and no minimum — easy to start with a small amount while settling into the US.
• Limitation: not a passive-first platform; the UX can encourage more activity than long-term ETF investors need.

1. Establish your US tax residency date. The moment you become a US tax resident is when PFIC rules apply to your foreign fund holdings. This is typically tied to your visa status or the substantial presence test — confirm the date precisely with a tax professional before taking any action.
2. Stop buying UCITS ETFs immediately. Do not make another purchase in your EU UCITS positions from the date you become a US tax resident. New purchases compound the PFIC problem.
3. Get cross-border tax advice on existing holdings. A specialist in US-EU cross-border taxation can advise on PFIC election options (QEF or mark-to-market), whether immediate sale is better than holding, and how the transition interacts with your specific visa, treaty position, and existing unrealised gains.
4. Check which EU brokers will close your account. Notify your EU broker of your address change and ask directly about US person restrictions. Expect restrictions or closure at DEGIRO, Trade Republic, Trading 212, Scalable Capital, XTB, and most EU neobrokers. (IBKR is the main exception.)
5. Transition your IBKR account if you have one. If you already hold an IBKR account through a European entity, contact IBKR support to begin the account migration process to IBKR LLC (the US entity) before your EU account is restricted.
6. Open a US brokerage account. Schwab or Fidelity for a long-term US home base; IBKR if you need multi-currency access or are transitioning an existing account. Complete the W-9 form (domestic US equivalent of W-8BEN) during onboarding.
7. Build a US-listed ETF plan. You can now access VTI, SCHB, VT, BND — the same diversification goals achieved more cheaply as a US resident. Commission-free on Schwab, Fidelity, and IBKR. See the three-fund portfolio guide for the underlying allocation logic (the ETF names change; the approach doesn’t).
8. Open an IRA if eligible. US residency comes with access to tax-advantaged retirement accounts. A Roth IRA (after-tax contributions, tax-free growth) is particularly valuable for expats in the early stages of US income. Contribution limits and eligibility depend on income — verify with a tax advisor.