Ireland is best known in finance as one of Europe’s largest hubs for internationally domiciled funds, with thousands of UCITS funds and ETFs administered out of Dublin. For everyday investors, though, the more practical question is how to trade options from Ireland, and which brokers do it well.
Irish residents invest under the EU’s MiFID II framework, with the Central Bank of Ireland as the national regulator and ESMA’s (European Securities and Markets Authority) retail protections (leverage limits, standardised risk warnings) applying across the bloc. The national stock exchange, Euronext Dublin (formerly the Irish Stock Exchange), runs the benchmark ISEQ All Share index. In practice, though, most Irish options traders look well beyond Irish-listed names, using international brokers to access US and European equity and index options.
We saw the need for a clear guide on options trading in Ireland: to summarise its leading brokers, their merits, and where they fall short. If you are new to the mechanics, our options trading guide covers calls, puts and the core strategies first. Below are our top four picks and why we chose them.
The best Options brokers in Ireland
Interactive Brokers | The globe’s award-winning default broker
With a history spanning nearly five decades, IBKR remains one of the most trustworthy brokers available and is unofficially the globe’s default broker, Ireland included (clients trade via a Central Bank of Ireland-regulated entity). For options, European contracts mostly cost EUR 1.00 to EUR 1.50, varying by market, while US options cost just USD 0.15 to USD 0.65. Interactive Brokers also offers IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile app for options, stocks, and ETFs, ideal for novice investors.
Saxo | Premium online broker providing incredible research
A Danish online broker, Saxo has an extensive offering for residents of Ireland, including listed options, forex options, commodities, futures and more. Its tiered pricing charges EUR 0.75 per contract on euro-denominated options, with lower US option rates as your account grows.
DEGIRO | Reliable low-cost options broker for global access
DEGIRO stands out as an options broker for the knowledgeable trader who knows what they’re doing and wants the right tools for succeeding across international markets. It provides a solid range of ETFs, stocks, bonds, futures, options, and more, with an option fee of EUR 0.75 per contract, plus small exchange connectivity fees.
Disclaimer: Investing involves risk of loss.
Tastytrade | Excellent discount broker, but US-focused
Tastytrade, formerly known as Tastyworks and now owned by IG Group, stands out as an options broker focusing on the retail trader who truly wants to hone their craft. It provides options trading in addition to futures, stocks, indices, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, while keeping to USD 1 per options contract (0 to close).
| Options broker | Commission per contract | Best for |
| IBKR | From EUR 1 (EU), USD 0.15 to 0.65 (US) | All |
| Saxo | EUR 0.75 (EUR options), USD 2 (US options) | Research |
| DEGIRO | EUR 0.75 | Low fees |
| tastytrade | USD 1 (free to close) | US trading |
Source: brokers’ own pricing pages, checked in October 2026. Exchange, clearing and regulatory fees are not included.
Video summary
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Options brokers reviewed
1# Interactive Brokers
A subsidiary of the Nasdaq-listed Interactive Brokers Group, Interactive Brokers Ireland echoes its parent’s world-leading strength, offering, and product range, options included. It is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and is a member of the Irish investor compensation scheme run by the Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL), which covers 90% of eligible losses up to EUR 20,000 if a firm fails. Irish clients trade with the reassurance of local oversight. That blend of safety, global reach, and risk-management tools earned IBKR the trust of options traders and the top spot on our list of the best options brokers in Ireland.
The platform serves institutions and individuals, beginners and professionals alike, pairing access to nearly every asset class with a capable web platform and streamlined mobile apps. You can trade across around 175 markets in 40 countries and territories, and IBKR’s toolkit spans Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, the Client Portal, and its mobile apps. In particular, IBKR GlobalTrader brings simplified stock and options trading to a clean mobile interface, available to Irish investors too.
On cost, IBKR’s options commissions are among the lowest available: from USD 0.15 to USD 0.65 per contract on US markets (USD 1 minimum per order), EUR 1.00 per contract on most European stock options under tiered pricing or EUR 1.10 to EUR 1.50 under fixed pricing, and GBP 1.70 fixed on UK stock and index options. Exercise and assignment of US options carry no commission. There are no account-opening fees and no inactivity or minimum-activity fees.
Interested? Read our comprehensive IBKR review.
2# Saxo
62% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Our runner-up, Saxo, is a deeply research-oriented broker founded in Copenhagen in 1992, giving it a track record measured in decades, much like IBKR. It caters to all levels of experience, but its focus on premium perks and polished design works best for intermediate to advanced options traders.
In 2025, Saxo replaced its old SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO split with a single, unified SaxoTrader platform that pairs a sophisticated desktop experience with a powerful mobile app for around-the-clock coverage. Long-term and lower-volume investors can instead opt for the simpler SaxoInvestor app, and both offer demo previews so you can try before committing.
Saxo’s pricing runs across three account tiers, set by your balance or trading volume rather than an upfront requirement. The entry-level Classic tier has no minimum and charges EUR 0.75 per contract on euro-denominated options and USD 2 on US options, with no minimum ticket fee. Platinum (from EUR 200,000) and VIP (from EUR 1,000,000) cut the US option rate to USD 1 and USD 0.75 per contract. Saxo Bank A/S is a Danish bank regulated by Finanstilsynet, and Saxo charges no custody fees.
3# DEGIRO
Investing involves risk of loss.
There’s a lot to love about DEGIRO. We would rank this broker first place for options trading in Ireland if the main priority was cost. DEGIRO is one of Europe’s lowest-cost brokers for options trading, with a web platform and a streamlined mobile app that give you access to European and American options.
The platform operates an extensive blog catering to beginners and intermediate traders, or anyone who wishes to brush up on the basics before diving into options trading. You can immediately feel that DEGIRO, while championing the “do-it-yourself” ethos, also has “safety first” in mind.
From a cost perspective, it’s extremely competitive at EUR 0.75 per contract, with no handling fee on options. You also pay an exchange connectivity fee: EUR 5 per month if you trade or hold US options, and up to EUR 2.50 per year for each other exchange outside Euronext Dublin. The broker does cover the necessities for active trading, such as charting, news alerts, and analyst views, but the research may not be deep enough for value- or fundamentals-based investors. A solid third place entry.
Interested? Read our comprehensive DEGIRO review.
4# Tastytrade
Based in the US and owned by IG Group since 2021, Tastytrade is an options-focused broker that caters to “do-it-yourself” traders who prefer to make their own calls rather than lean on algorithms or robo-advisors. It offers access to stocks, options, futures, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Its pedigree is notable: the platform was built by the same team behind thinkorswim, the advanced platform they created and later sold, and which now sits with Charles Schwab.
Tastytrade provides a capable trading experience across desktop and mobile, with a strong tilt towards options analytics. There is a learning curve, so beginners should get comfortable with the basics, the option greeks like delta and gamma, before diving in. Once you are up to speed, you can follow the trades of well-known options traders through the platform’s feed.
For stock options, Tastytrade charges USD 1 per contract to open and nothing to close (capped at USD 10 per leg), and it lays out every potential fee transparently. It is highly competitive on options pricing and education, though its global market access and fundamental research tools are narrower than IBKR’s.
What makes a good broker for options trading in Ireland?
Good options brokers for Irish residents have these seven things in common:
- Low account or trading minimums
- Competitive and transparent fees
- Many product options
- Multiple trading and analytic tools
- Support for news alerts
- Ample learning material
- The ability to trade real options rather than CFDs on options (more on this in our guide to the differences between CFDs vs real shares)
Not every options broker will make our list, but these criteria help us determine the best brokers out there.
How options are taxed in Ireland
For most private investors, gains and losses from listed options are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Budget 2027 cut the CGT rate from 33% to 31% for disposals from 7 October 2026. The first EUR 1,270 of gains each year is exempt, and losses can be set against gains in the same year or carried forward.
| Item | Rule |
| CGT rate | 31% (33% before 7 October 2026) |
| Annual exemption | EUR 1,270 per person |
| Gains from January to November | Pay by 15 December |
| Gains in December | Pay by 31 January of the following year |
| Annual return | Form 11 or Form CG1 by 31 October |
Source: Revenue and Budget 2027, checked in October 2026.
Foreign brokers don’t withhold Irish tax for you, so you need to keep records of every trade, including premiums received and paid. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances, and frequent trading may be treated differently, so consider speaking with a tax adviser.
Bottom line
Options trading is robust and competitive in Ireland, with world-leading providers and low fees. Selecting the best options broker as an Irish resident is still a tricky choice as interest in retail trading continues to grow, so we have narrowed the field to four leading choices based on our criteria.
Each of our recommended options brokers in Ireland excels at something different. Want both European and American options? DEGIRO. Prefer an established, global platform known for reliability and low fees? IBKR. After deep research and a premium, polished experience? Saxo. Focused mainly on US options with a specialist’s toolkit? Tastytrade.
Need more recommendations? Check out our platform finder.
FAQs
Can you buy options in Ireland?
Yes. Irish residents can trade listed options through brokers regulated in the EU, such as Interactive Brokers, Saxo and DEGIRO. Some brokers focus mainly on US stock and index options.
What is an options broker?
An options broker is an intermediary that sends your options orders to the exchanges and holds your positions. The best options brokers for Irish residents offer stock and index options on several exchanges, plus futures and options on futures.
How do you open an options trading account?
While the process changes per options broker, it remains relatively straightforward. Be ready to provide a copy of an official ID (such as a passport or driving licence), proof of address and your PPS number for tax reporting, then fund the account by SEPA bank transfer. Under EU rules, the broker will also ask about your knowledge and experience to check whether options are appropriate for you.
How do you buy options?
Thanks to advances in web and mobile trading platforms, trading options remains largely intuitive. Almost all mobile apps guide you through the purchase (opening) process and the selling (closing) process. Web platforms may have a learning curve and require an introductory tutorial. This is the case for some users who use IBKR, for example.
However, we recommend at least a beginner options course to walk you through calls, puts, strategies, opening, closing, and margin trading.
What are the risks of buying, trading, and selling options?
Options are leveraged: a small premium controls a larger position, so prices move fast. When you buy an option, you can lose the whole premium you paid. When you sell (write) options, your losses can exceed the premium you received, and uncovered short calls carry potentially unlimited risk. Selling options also needs a margin account. We recommend completing a basic options course before you start.
