BROKER REVIEW

DEGIRO Review: low-cost ETFs for Europe, real-world constraints, and when to pick IBKR instead

DEGIRO is popular because it’s simple and often cost-competitive for buy-and-hold investing in Europe. The real decision is not “is it cheap?” — it’s: ETF access (UCITS vs US ETFs), FX friction, product breadth, and reporting.

Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.

Pricing, product access, and country availability can change. Always verify current terms on the broker’s official site before funding an account.

If you’re in Europe and want a simple ETF workflow, DEGIRO is often a reasonable default — as long as it supports your country and the products you need.

Open DEGIRO → Check DEGIRO fees → DEGIRO vs IBKR →

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.

TL;DR

  • Best for: Europe-based investors who want a straightforward interface for UCITS ETF buy-and-hold.
  • Main constraint: your results depend on total drag (fees + spreads + FX), not the headline “commission”.
  • When IBKR is better: you need broader global products, multi-currency handling, or you want a “core broker” you won’t outgrow.
  • Non-negotiable: confirm your product access (US ETFs vs UCITS) using UCITS vs US ETFs.

DEGIRO review (fees, markets, who it’s for)

DEGIRO is typically chosen for straightforward investing and access to many European listings. The real decision is not the headline commission: it’s the total “execution + FX + product” cost you actually pay over time.

FEES IN PRACTICE

DEGIRO fees in practice

  • Trading fees: commissions can look low on paper, but you still need to include exchange-related costs where applicable.
  • Connectivity / exchange costs: some markets have recurring or per-market costs that add up if you trade across exchanges.
  • FX reality: the difference between “nice headline” and “real cost” often comes from FX handling and spreads when you buy assets in another currency.
  • Execution: wide spreads + market orders can quietly cost more than commissions. Prefer liquid listings and use limit orders.

Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.

Who DEGIRO is for (and who should skip it)

GOOD FIT

  • Europe-based investor primarily buying UCITS ETFs.
  • You want a simple platform and you don’t need exotic products.
  • You’ll invest monthly/quarterly and keep the portfolio small (1–4 ETFs).

SKIP / CONSIDER IBKR

  • You need broad global access, deeper order types, or a “forever broker”.
  • You’re optimizing multi-currency funding + conversions seriously.
  • You want one platform that covers more edge cases as you grow.

Fees & FX: the only things that matter long-term

For long-term investors, the biggest mistakes are usually: paying unnecessary FX repeatedly, trading too often, and holding overlapping ETFs. Use this order of operations:

  1. ETF costs: expense ratio + liquidity/spread.
  2. Broker drag: commissions, connectivity/handling fees, account fees (if any).
  3. FX friction: conversion spreads/fees and how often you convert.

If you want the “why” with numbers: Study: fees compound · Study: cash drag.

Markets & products (practical view)

Most readers only need two product types: stocks and ETFs. Everything else is optional complexity.

  • Core use: UCITS ETFs for broad index exposure.
  • Satellite use: a few single stocks if you insist — keep them small.
  • Important: US ETF access is not a “preference” topic; it’s an eligibility/compliance topic for many EU/UK retail investors.

US ETFs vs UCITS: don’t build a plan you can’t execute

If your region/broker blocks US-domiciled ETFs, the correct move is not “try harder” — it’s: buy the equivalent exposure through allowed structures (often UCITS).

Read: UCITS vs US ETFs · If you want the broker decision page: Best broker for US ETFs (non-US).

Platform & usability

  • Best use-case: simple ETF buys and portfolio holding.
  • Risk: features don’t matter if they increase screen time and trading frequency.
  • Rule: if your strategy is long-term index investing, your platform should feel boring.

If you want cleaner charts without turning your broker into a “research app”, use TradingView for context and execute at the broker.

Taxes & reporting (keep it simple)

Your broker doesn’t “solve taxes” — it provides statements and transaction history. Your job is to understand your country’s rules and keep records clean.

Starter guide: Taxes basics.

DEGIRO vs IBKR (fast decision)

  • Pick DEGIRO if you want a simpler EU-focused ETF workflow and it supports your country.
  • Pick IBKR if you care about multi-currency workflow, product breadth, and a broker you won’t outgrow.
Read the full comparison →

If you’re investing long-term, the win condition is: low drag + high consistency. Read the studies, then choose the broker workflow that makes monthly investing easiest.

See fee drag data → See cash drag data → Compare brokers →

FAQ: DEGIRO

Is DEGIRO good for long-term ETF investing? +
It can be, especially for Europe-based investors using UCITS ETFs. The key is total drag: ETF costs + broker fees + FX friction.
What is the main hidden cost to watch? +
FX and trading frequency. Repeated small conversions and frequent buys/sells can quietly outweigh “commission-free” marketing.
Can EU investors buy US-domiciled ETFs on DEGIRO? +
Often not for typical EU/UK retail profiles due to retail disclosure rules. In that case, use UCITS equivalents for the same index exposure.
Should I pick DEGIRO or IBKR? +
Pick DEGIRO for a simpler Europe-first ETF workflow. Pick IBKR for broader product access, multi-currency workflow, and long-term “core broker” flexibility.
What’s the simplest setup to avoid mistakes? +
1–3 broad UCITS ETFs, fixed monthly/quarterly buys, minimal conversions, and a simple annual rebalance rule.

Ready to pick your broker? If DEGIRO supports your country and your ETFs, it can be a clean EU default.

Open DEGIRO → Check fees → Broker checklist (Learn) → Open an account (Learn) →

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.

Want better ETF charts and benchmark context? Use TradingView for research; execute 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.

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.

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