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.
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.
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 your 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. Once on the dashboard, locate the Search product bar at the top of the screen (magnifying glass icon on mobile).
Confirm your cash balance is showing before proceeding. If you transferred recently and it’s not visible 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 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Xetra (XETRA) | EUR | Best default — highest liquidity for most UCITS ETFs |
| Euronext Amsterdam (AEX) | EUR | Good alternative; most major iShares and Vanguard listings |
| London Stock Exchange (LSE) | GBP / USD | Avoid for EUR accounts — triggers 0.25% FX fee per trade |
| Borsa Italiana | EUR | EUR-denominated, but lower liquidity on most products |
For most European investors with a euro account: pick Xetra, then click Buy or Place order.
The order form asks for four things:
How to set your limit price: look at the current ask price on the product page. Set your limit 0.05–0.10% above the ask — this gives a small buffer that ensures a quick fill during normal market hours without chasing the price.
Before confirming, DEGIRO shows an order summary: ETF name and ISIN, exchange, number of shares, limit price, estimated total, and transaction fee (€0.00 for Core Selection ETFs; €1 + 0.03% otherwise).
Double-check the exchange and currency match your intention. Click Confirm. The order moves to Open orders 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.
DEGIRO Core Selection: how to trade ETFs for free
DEGIRO’s Core Selection is a curated list of ETFs that trade for free — one free buy and one free sell per ETF per calendar day, subject to a minimum order size.
- iShares (BlackRock) UCITS ETFs
- Vanguard UCITS ETFs
- Xtrackers (DWS) ETFs
- Amundi / Lyxor ETFs
- Covers global equity, EM, European equity, bonds
- One free buy + one free sell per ETF per day
- Minimum order size applies (historically ~€50–€100 — verify current terms)
- Orders below minimum incur a small handling fee
- The Core Selection list changes — confirm before assuming free
Tips that reduce what you actually pay
Xetra and Euronext Amsterdam are open 09:00–17:30 CET on weekdays. Outside these hours, bid-ask spreads widen significantly and limit prices may not reflect fair value. Always place orders during live market hours.
The spread is the difference between the bid and ask price — an implicit cost on top of the commission. For major MSCI World ETFs on Xetra it’s typically 0.01–0.05%. For niche ETFs it can reach 0.20–0.50%. Factor this in when comparing total costs. See our spread cost calculator.
DEGIRO charges 0.25% per currency conversion. For a euro account, always buy the ETF listed on Xetra or Euronext Amsterdam — not the LSE (GBP/USD) version 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 than distributing (Dist) ones — dividends reinvest automatically without triggering a taxable event at distribution. See the acc vs dist tax drag study for the quantified difference.
EU retail investors cannot buy most US-listed ETFs (VOO, SPY, VTSAX) due to PRIIPs regulations. DEGIRO does not offer them. 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. Each order must be placed manually. If automation is a priority — particularly for monthly contributions — consider Trade Republic or Scalable Capital, both of which offer savings plans.
Ready to open a DEGIRO account?
DEGIRO is one of the cheapest brokers available to European investors. Core Selection ETFs are free to trade, and fees beyond that are among the lowest on the continent.
Go deeper
Frequently asked questions
Are ETF purchases on DEGIRO free?
Not all ETFs are free. DEGIRO’s Core Selection offers one free buy and one free sell transaction per ETF per day within size limits. Outside the Core Selection, standard fees apply — currently €1 + 0.03% per order on most European exchanges. Always verify the current Core Selection and minimum order size on DEGIRO’s website.
Which exchange should I choose when buying an ETF on DEGIRO?
Pick the exchange trading in your account’s base currency to avoid the 0.25% FX conversion fee. For euro-denominated accounts, Xetra or Euronext Amsterdam are the most liquid venues for popular UCITS ETFs. Avoid the LSE listings unless your account is GBP-denominated.
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 last quoted price — especially for ETFs with wide bid-ask spreads or at market open. A limit order caps what you pay and protects you from slippage. Set the limit 0.05–0.10% above the current ask price for a prompt fill.
Can I set up automatic recurring ETF investments on DEGIRO?
DEGIRO does not offer automated recurring investment plans — each order must be placed manually. If automation matters to you, Trade Republic and Scalable Capital both offer savings plans that execute recurring purchases automatically. See our comparisons: Trade Republic vs DEGIRO.
What is the minimum investment amount for ETFs on DEGIRO?
DEGIRO does not impose a minimum investment amount. You only need enough to buy at least one unit (share) of the ETF at its current market price. Most UCITS ETFs on Xetra trade between €5 and €100 per unit, so even small contributions are practical. Note: Core Selection orders have a minimum size to qualify for the free transaction.
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.