Over the last few years, we at investingintheweb.com have spent hundreds of hours listing, researching and comparing European brokers to help our readers invest.
Who can you trust with your money? How can you avoid expensive fees? And how do you choose the best trading platform for your investments?
In this article, we help you find and compare the leading online brokers and trading platforms available in Europe in 2026.
Best brokers for long-term investing in Europe (in a nutshell)
- Interactive Brokers: Best overall. Very low fees, high security and the largest assets under management (AUM) among the brokers on this list.
- eToro: Best for commission-free ETF investing and social trading. New users may be eligible for a welcome bonus (terms apply).
- XTB: Real stocks and ETFs with 0% commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover (0.2%, min €10, above that).
- DEGIRO: Best if you’re looking for an execution-only broker (no CFDs), with a huge European user base, a broad market selection and low-cost ETFs in its Core Selection.
- Freedom24: Best for access to a wide range of markets, with commission-free recurring ETF investment plans. Offers a welcome offer for new users (terms apply).
- Trading 212*: Great for beginners, with a user-friendly app, commission-free stocks and ETFs (Other fees may apply. See terms and fees) and a signup promotion.
- Lightyear: Best for beginners and ETFs, with commission-free ETFs (fund manager fees apply). New users can get a free fractional share worth up to €100 with the promo code INVESTINGINTHEWEB (terms apply).
- Trade Republic: Best for interest on uninvested EUR cash and free ETF savings plans.
- Revolut: Best for quick access to investing alongside a digital bank account.
*When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. Freedom24: all investing involves the risk of losing capital, and commission-free investing only applies to specific recurring investment plans. Freedom24 is operated by Freedom Finance Europe Ltd, regulated by CySEC.
Quick cost comparison: investing in the S&P 500
Long-term investors often buy an S&P 500 ETF.
Below is an example of what each broker charges for a one-off purchase of about €1,000 of an S&P 500 ETF quoted in EUR (September 2026). Actual costs may vary depending on your country, the ETF you choose and its exchange.
As you can see, all the brokers on this list are cheap for long-term investors: a single €1,000 ETF purchase costs €2.50 or less with any of them. Revolut can become more expensive once you use up your free monthly trades, and several brokers offer free recurring investment plans, which help keep costs close to zero if you invest every month.
Safety
Safe beats cheap! You should prioritise a broker that is safe and that you can trust as your investments grow over the years.
All the brokers mentioned here are regulated in Europe and covered by investor compensation schemes.
Varies depending on the subsidiary. Two examples: Up to £85,000 for clients under IB U.K. Limited; Up to €20,000 for clients under IB Ireland Limited.
Up to €20,000 for clients under eToro (Europe) Ltd; Up to £85,000 for clients under eToro (UK) Ltd.
Securities: up to €20,000 (from non-returned assets up to 90%)
Cash balance: up to €100,000
US and UK: up to 500k USD under SIPC.
Varies between subsidiaries: Up to £85,000 for UK investors, up to €20,000 for European investors.
Securities: up to €20,000 (from non-returned assets up to 90%); Cash balance: up to €100,000
Varies by entity. Up to €20,000 for clients under XTB SA; Up to £85,000 for clients under XTB Limited.
Investments always involve the risk of loss.
Out of all the brokers mentioned here, we consider Interactive Brokers the safest, because:
- It is regulated by top-tier authorities such as the SEC, the FCA and the Central Bank of Ireland, among others
- It is publicly listed and part of the S&P 500 index, which means more transparency than private companies
- It is the oldest company on the list (founded in 1978) and has been through several financial crises
- It is the largest by assets under management
On the downside, Interactive Brokers doesn’t hold a banking licence. Of the brokers on this list, DEGIRO (flatexDEGIRO Bank), Trade Republic and Revolut (Revolut Bank UAB) do.
If you want to know more about broker safety, check our YouTube video on what happens if your broker goes bankrupt.
Our methodology: how we chose these brokers
Prioritise safety over costs
Safe beats cheap in the long run. We first look for brokers allowed to operate in Europe and regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, BaFin, etc.).
We also check assets under management (AUM) and average user balances, since larger, well-capitalised brokers often have sturdier infrastructure to support long-term investors.
Product range
We check that each broker offers the assets you are likely to hold for years, usually ETFs, stocks or bonds.
If you want crypto or options, make sure the broker supports them. Keep in mind that CFDs are leveraged products for short-term speculation, not for buy-and-hold investing.
Fees and transparency
We look at trading commissions, FX fees, inactivity fees, withdrawal fees and more. “Zero commission” can hide an FX markup or wider spreads, so we check the full cost of investing, not just the headline figure.
Over many years, high fees can significantly reduce your returns, so transparency is crucial.
Currency support
Most European investors fund their accounts in euros, but others use GBP, CHF or other currencies. A good broker should offer fair exchange rates or multi-currency accounts to avoid large conversion costs.
Ease of use and long-term viability
We consider the user experience on web and mobile. Complicated platforms can be intimidating, while very basic ones may lack useful features.
Ultimately, a broker should remain reliable for many years, so stable operations, reputable management and good customer support matter a lot.
Other resources
- Check our YouTube channel for in-depth reviews of each platform and guides on investing in the S&P 500 with different brokers.
- Read our full broker reviews for deeper insights into fees, order execution and platform usability. If you’re curious which brokers we don’t recommend, we keep a “not recommended” list based on our latest research.
- Check the latest brokerage signup bonuses and the brokers with the highest interest rates on cash.
- Compare brokers by fees, interest and available products with our broker comparison tool.
Final thoughts and next steps
Choosing the best broker in Europe for long-term investing depends on your goals, the assets you want to hold and how much you are willing to pay in fees.
For some, a commission-free app like Trading 212 or XTB is ideal (other fees may apply).
Others may prefer the wide product range and the security of Interactive Brokers.
If earning interest on uninvested cash is a priority, Trading 212 and Trade Republic stand out, although rates are variable and depend on your country.
Remember: investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Prioritise safety, transparency and a platform that supports your long-term goals. The good news is that European investors have never had so many good brokers to choose from, so pick wisely, keep fees low and let time do the rest.
