Summary

Degiro is a brokerage firm that allows clients to purchase real stocks, ETFs, and derivatives, including options and futures. The broker was established in 2008. However, in 2019, it was acquired by FlatexAG, a German broker. 

Its stock offering comprises shares from 50+ stock exchanges in 30 countries. However, it is only available to European clients. Our Degiro review covers all the essential information you need to know before opening an account with the broker, such as account type, available assets, and fees.  

Available Assets

Degiro offers traders the opportunity to invest in real stocks from 50+ exchanges in 30 countries. In addition, this broker also provides ETFs, bonds, options, and futures to its clients. However, they do not engage in Contact for Difference (CFD) trading. Hence traders will not be able to trade Forex pairs, Commodity CFDs, indices, or cryptocurrencies. Below, we provide an in-depth review of some of the financial assets offered by this broker. 

Stocks

Clients can choose from a wide selection of Stocks from 50+ exchanges. This broker offers popular shares such as Netflix, Tesla, and Apple on its various platforms for web and mobile.

Commodities

With Degiro, clients can diversify their portfolios by investing in commodities such as Lithium, Copper, Oil, and Uranium. However, this broker only offers indirect investments which are available through commodity ETFs, futures, and stocks in commodity-linked companies.

ETFs

ETFs are one of the financial assets traders can invest in with this broker. Their long list of ETFs includes a core selection with over 200+ financial instruments and many more global ETFs from 19 major exchanges.

Bonds

Degiro offers bonds through exchanges in European countries, including Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, and France, or over the counter via the order desk. Clients can have access to these bonds by paying a 2 € commission and a 1 € handling fee.  

Futures

At a cost of 0.75 € per contract, clients with an Active or Trader profile can invest in futures on any of its trading platforms. The broker allows clients to participate in several markets, including IDEM, EMEX, CME, Euronext Derivatives Paris, and MEFF.

Options

Degiro is one of the few brokers that provide options among its list of available investment assets. Traders who use this broker will have access to options from exchanges in Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, and other parts of Europe at a fee of 0.75 € per contract. 

Stock Trading at Degiro

This broker offers its clients a wide range of real stocks from exchanges in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, and many other countries. In our review, we carefully examine all you need to know about this broker’s stock offering. In addition, we list its fees, commissions, leverage, and available stock exchanges. 

Available Stock Exchanges at Degiro

Degiro only offers real stocks via several exchanges. The table below lists all the available stock exchanges that customers can trade with.

Stock Trading Fees & Commission at Degiro

The fees and commissions for Stocks vary depending on the specific stock exchange. Trading US and Canadian Stocks is commission-free with this broker. However, clients are expected to pay a handling fee of 1 € per trade. For shares listed on the London Stock Exchange, they charge a commission of £1.75 and a handling fee of £1 per trade. Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan shares incur a charge of 5 € per trade, and stocks listed on other exchanges cost 3.75 € per trade.

ETF trading also attracts a commission based on whether or not the particular financial instrument being traded is part of this broker’s core selection. Core selection ETFs are free to trade, while Global ETFs incur a commission of 2 € and a handling fee of 1 € per trade. Finally, ETFs listed on Tradegate have a commission of 3.90 €.

Stock Trading Leverage at Degiro

Degiro allows its traders to take advantage of leverage provided they open an Active, Trader, or Day Trader Account. Basic Account holders cannot access Debit Money which enables leverage trading on the financial instruments offered by the broker. However, the exact amount of leverage is not specified on their website. 

Regulations

Degiro is considered a trustworthy broker because it is accredited by financial and investment regulatory bodies in multiple countries, such as the Federal Financial Services Authority (BaFin) in Germany and the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) in the Netherlands. The broker is also deemed to be authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In this section of the Degiro review, we take a look at its various subsidiary entities and their regulation. 

FlatexDEGIRO Bank AG: Located at Omniturm, Große Gallusstraße, 16-18, 60312, Frankfurt/Main, Germany, this entity is registered in Germany and authorised and regulated by BaFin.

• Licence number: 12048408

FlatexDEGIRO Bank Dutch Branch: Located at Amstelplein 1, 9e verdieping, Amsterdam, Netherlands, the entity is regulated by the AFM. It is also subject to integrity supervision by the De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).

• Company number: 82510245

Fees and Commissions

Degiro fees show it to be a relatively low-cost broker, and in this section of our review, we will examine the trading and non-trading charges incurred by its clients.

Trading Fees

Below we outline the trading fees charged by this broker. 

Commission

Traders who engage in shares, ETF, bonds, futures, or options trading will be charged a commission. Some assets, such as US stocks and a Core Selection of ETFs, do not attract a commission. However, other instruments will incur a fixed cost per trade. 

All derivative investments will cost 0.75 €, and Global ETFs, 2 € per trade. For stocks, transactions done with European exchanges have a commission of 3.90 €. In contrast, exchanges in Asia and the United Kingdom cost 5 € and £1.75, respectively.   

Non-Trading Fees

Degiro does not charge a deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity fee. Therefore, clients of this broker will only be required to pay a currency conversion charge.

Currency Conversion Fee

This broker charges a currency conversion fee of 0.25% to customers who make a deposit from a bank account that has a different currency from the base currency of their live account.

Account Types

This broker offers five account types: Custody, Basic, Active, Trader, and Day Trader. However, they do not provide a demo account for beginners to practise. In this section of our Degiro review, we will discuss the properties of these account types.

Custody Account

Traders with a custody account will enjoy low costs on trades. They will also have access to shares, bonds, trackers, and investment funds. However, Custody Accounts can not trade leveraged products and are not convertible into Active, Trader, or Day Trader Accounts.

Basic Account

A Basic Account is the standard account type given to everyone starting with this broker. Basic Accounts are generally less complex and permit less risk. Clients with this account are only allowed access to basic securities, investment-grade government bonds, corporate bonds, and basic ETFs and investment funds. In addition, Basic Account holders can only hold long positions. 

Active Account

An Active Account maintains similar features to a Basic Account. However, traders have access to all available derivatives and will be able to use Debit Money. Owners of this account can enjoy Debit Money in a limited capacity and hold short positions. 

Trader Account

Trader Accounts have all the features of an Active Account. The significant difference between Trader Accounts and the latter is that Trader Account holders do not have any restrictions on using Debit Money.

Day Trader Account

Day Trader Accounts offer lower margin requirements at specific times when this broker and the relevant markets are open. Apart from this unique attribute, it is largely similar to a Trader Account.  

Trading Platforms

Degiro’s trading platforms include a web and a mobile application. However, this broker does not offer MetaTrader. In this trading apps review, we list out the features of both its desktop and mobile applications and a step-by-step guide for opening an account.  

Desktop Trading Platforms

Traders who wish to open accounts and trade on a desktop can use its WebTrader application. This easy-to-use platform offers several features, which we explain below.

Search

Using the search option, clients can easily identify their preferred financial instrument from a long list with thousands of options. The search tab simplifies the trading process and promotes efficiency. 

News

In the news tab, traders can monitor the economic events that shape price action and stay informed on the performance of the companies they wish to invest in. In addition, the news tab can be ordered according to specific countries to make it easier for traders to receive only information that directly affects their investments. 

User Interface

Degiro’s web application has an intuitive user interface that is perfect for both beginners and experienced traders. The broker’s clients can navigate between various tabs, identify the financial instruments they want to trade, and set up other trading features with ease.

Design

Our review shows that the design of the broker’s application for desktop is simple, with traders able to access most of the information they require about their trading portfolio at a glance.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Degiro provides an added layer of security through two-factor authentication (2FA) on its desktop trading platform. Users can turn on 2FA by clicking on the Profile icon, selecting the Security tab, and choosing two-factor authentication.

How to Open an Account on Degiro Desktop Trading Platform

1. At the top right corner of the broker’s website, click “Open an Account”
2. Enter your email, username, and password
3. Verify your email and log in with your details and continue the registration process
4. Enter your personal information, including your name(s), phone number, and residential address
5. To continue registration and verification, you will need to download the mobile app for iOS or Android
6. On the mobile app, upload a valid ID or passport and provide the remaining verification details. Degiro does not accept driver’s licences
7. Enter your bank account sort code and account number, and wait for verification. This usually takes between 2 – 3 working days
8. Once you are notified that your account is verified, fill in your tax information
9. Choose your profile and accept the Client Licence Agreement
10. Link your newly created account to your bank account
11. Make a deposit of at least £0.01 to your account from your registered bank account
12. Take an appropriateness test
13. To make a deposit or withdrawal, click Deposit/Withdraw at the top right corner of the WebTrader app

Mobile Apps

The Degiro mobile trading app is available for Android and iOS users. It provides a smooth interface and an excellent option for traders to monitor and trade financial instruments on the go. Some of its features are listed below.

User Interface

The user interface of the mobile app is very simple with a dropdown menu and four easy-to-navigate tabs. Users can shuttle between the Dashboard, Portfolio, Favourites, and Transfer sections where they will carry out all their trading activities.

Design

The design of the Degiro app is great and provides convenience for its clients. The app contains only essential features to make the process of placing and monitoring orders much smoother.

Security

Degiro on mobile provides additional security features, including two-factor authentication (2FA), which can be accessed from the personal settings section in the dropdown menu.

Search

The search feature on the mobile app allows easy navigation. Traders can find any instrument they are looking for in seconds by clicking the search tab and typing the name of their preferred financial asset. 

News

The news tab lets customers stay abreast with the latest happenings in various sectors. For traders who value sentiment analysis, the news feature can help determine the right step to take in the financial markets.

Notifications

The notifications tab provides real-time alerts on orders or any other relevant information on the mobile application.

How to Open an Account on Degiro Mobile Trading App

1. Search for and download the Degiro Online Trading App on your mobile app store
2. Select “Open an Account”
3. Select your country of residence
4. Enter your email, username, and password
5. Check your email for a confirmation link
6. Once your email is confirmed, login and enter your personal information
7. Link your Degiro account to your bank account by entering your International Bank Account Number. Your bank account must be with a registered bank
8. Verify your identity by uploading a valid ID. Driver’s licences are not accepted
9. Upon submission, wait for your account to be verified
10. After verification, you will be required to submit your TIN and make a first deposit (minimum – £0.01)
11. Choose a profile
12. Review and sign the legal agreement
13. Click on the profile icon and select deposit/withdraw to fund your account and begin trading

Payment Methods

There are a limited number of options for deposits and withdrawals at Degiro. This section of the broker review will outline the available payment methods they offer, their processing times, and any fees incurred for these transactions.

Deposit

Traders looking to make a deposit can only do so via bank transfer. Unlike many other brokers, Degiro does not allow users to fund their accounts from third-party sources such as PayPal, Skrill, or Wise. Also, these bank transfers must be from the trader’s personal account. Furthermore, all transfers must be from accounts that have a similar base currency to the trader’s account base currency. 

The typical processing time for these transactions is 2 -3 business days, and there are no charges for making deposits with this broker.

Withdrawals

Like deposits, clients can only withdraw funds to their bank account. Furthermore, withdrawals with this broker are free and take 2-4 working days to process. 

Account Base Currency

Degiro allows the following account base currencies: CHF, GBP, DKK, NOK, SEK, EUR, CZK, PLN, and HUF. 

Research and Education

Degiro offers limited educational resources compared to several of its competitors. This broker has an Investor Academy, a platform for new investors to learn the fundamental concepts for successful trading. The investor’s academy comprises ten (10) articles with accompanying YouTube videos for beginners to gain basic investment knowledge. It covers financial products, order types, risk spreading, fundamental and technical analysis, and indicators. They also have a blog that enables their customers to stay up-to-date with news about the financial markets, high-performing stocks, and market insights. 

Customer Services

Traders can tender their complaints and receive customer support via email or phone call. The email and phone number vary depending on the user’s country. For example, clients in the UK and Switzerland can email client@degiro.co.uk and client@degiro.ch, respectively. Also, phone lines are not open 24/7, and their open hours also vary depending on the account holder’s country of residence. 

Degiro does not provide a live chat option. However, in addition to the available customer support options, they also provide a detailed FAQ section where traders can find answers to common challenges they might encounter while using the broker’s services. Customers can also reach this broker via its multiple social media channels. This broker is active on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter. 

Online Reviews

Degiro is a relatively popular broker, and in this review, we have compiled some of the evaluations of its services across various popular online platforms, including Reddit, Quora, TrustPilot, and ForexPeaceArmy. The sections below provide a quick overview of user comments regarding this broker on these websites. 

What Reddit Users Say About Degiro

On Reddit, user reviews of Degiro are largely mixed. Several comments praise this broker as a reliable choice and attest that its trading platform is easy to navigate. 

However, other users disagree with these assertions, claiming that the broker’s trading platform offers a limited UI and needs better features. Also, there were complaints about the efficiency of this broker’s customer support. 

What Quora Users Say About Degiro

Unfortunately, comments about this broker on Quora are scarce. Nonetheless, one user claimed that their customer support failed to respond promptly to emails. 

Another Quora comment stated that Degiro is unsuitable for inexperienced traders as it does not provide enough resources for learning and research. 

TrustPilot Users’ Review About Degiro

On TrustPilot, this broker has a rating of 4.0 based on 3,699 total reviews. Comments about them on TrustPilot are mostly positive. A common theme across most user comments is the ease of navigation on their trading platform. 

Furthermore, many TrustPilot users claim that they are reliable, offer a simple app with easy access to market insights, and have relatively affordable fees. 

ForexPeaceArmy Users’ Review About Degiro

On ForexPeaceArmy, Degiro is currently unrated, as it has been reviewed by only one user. However, this user praises the broker as a good broker with low trading costs and great support. 

Other Products and Services

In addition to its regular trading services, this broker also offers other products to its clients. They offer an Affiliate Program and Debit Money, a margin service for specific account profiles on their platform. Here, as part of our Degiro review, we cover all the additional products and services that they offer. 

Affiliate Program

The affiliate program enables individuals who have a website, blog, or huge following across various social media platforms to earn a commission by referring clients to the broker’s platform. Degiro makes the process easy for its affiliates by providing a personalised dashboard, an account manager, and tools for monitoring performance in real time. 

Debit Money

Debit Money is a service provided to traders who open an Active, Trader, or Day Trader account. With Debit Money, users can access a margin facility, enabling them to invest more than their initial deposit. The available amount for borrowing with Debit Money depends on the value of a trader’s portfolio, the balance in their Money Market Fund, and the amount of portfolio risk. This service is also available in several currencies. 

Is Degiro Safe?

Degiro can be considered safe as it is regulated by BaFin and AFM, two reputable financial and investment regulatory bodies in Germany and Netherlands. Their safety protocols are customer-focused and ensure that client funds are heavily protected if something happens to the company. 

This broker operates segregated accounts for personal and client funds. Therefore, trader funds  are returned to them and cannot be collected by creditors should an adverse outcome occur. However, in the unlikely instance that these funds become inaccessible to customers, they will be liable to compensation of up to 90% of losses from non-returned assets with a maximum amount of 20,000 EUR under the German Investor Compensation Scheme. Also, customers can add an extra layer of security by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on their web or mobile applications.

Finally, deposits on a cash account with FlatexDEGIRO Bank AG are guaranteed up to 100,000 EUR under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme. 

Bottom Line

Degiro is an option for traders who wish to trade stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, or futures. Unlike its competitors, it does not offer forex, indices, or cryptocurrencies. This broker stands out for several reasons, especially its low fees, large stock offerings, and the absence of deposit and withdrawal charges. However, there are also a few downsides to opting for them. One of these is that they provide minimal payment options. Clients of this broker can only make deposits and withdraw their funds via bank transfers to their accounts in a registered bank. Also, newbie traders may find the lack of a demo account option and limited educational resources challenging. Furthermore, their services are not open to several countries, including the United States and Canada. 

There are more than 50 exchanges available on Degiro from over 30 countries. Traders can trade ETFs and Shares at a relatively low cost when they use any of this broker’s trading platforms. The broker offers a core selection of 200+ ETFs which do not incur any commission. For customers seeking to purchase shares, the fees vary depending on the location of the exchange. For example, US stocks are free, while London Stocks have a £1.75 commission. Shares from other European countries and Asian shares cost 3.75 € and 5 €. All instruments except its ETF core selection, options, futures, and Tradegate transactions will require a handling fee of 1 € per trade.

There are five account types on Degiro, Basic, Custody, Active, Trader, and Day Trader. Each of these accounts has unique features, depending on customer preference. Also, the broker offers a web application that can be used on a desktop and a mobile app that is available on the Apple Appstore and Google PlayStore. Customers who open an account can deposit funds from their registered European bank account and trade with either of these platforms. Unfortunately, third-party options such as e-wallets and debit or credit cards are not allowed. 

Lastly, our Degiro review determined that the broker is regulated by the Federal Financial Services Authority (BaFin) in Germany and the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. They also have security protocols, such as operating segregated bank accounts, to ensure that their client’s funds are protected from any financial mishaps. Their customer support consists of email and phone number options and social media channels. However, they do not provide customers with a live chat option or a 24/7 call line.