Forex is one of the most active markets globally, and accessing it starts with choosing the right broker.
At Investing in the Web, we help users find the platform that best fits their needs.
If you’re based in the Netherlands and looking for the best Forex brokers, this guide is for you.
Best Forex brokers in the Netherlands
Forex brokers tend to focus on currency trading by offering a wide range of currency pairs and providing tools to enhance your trading experience, such as charting, technical indicators, and economic calendars.
Here’s the list of our top picks for the best Forex brokers in the Netherlands:
Interactive Brokers: Best overall
Interactive Brokers lets you trade over 100 currency pairs, with deep liquidity and real-time quotes. Plus, it offers low commissions, 0.08 to 0.20 bps times trade size, with no hidden spreads or markups. Their central trading platform, the Trader Workstation (TWS), offers professional FX trading tools, including the FXTrader, built for the currency markets. Dutch clients are onboarded by its Irish entity, supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Pepperstone: Best MT4 and MT5 broker. Our second choice.
Founded in 2010, it allows you to trade forex majors, minors, crosses and exotics on highly competitive conditions, including low spreads and deep liquidity. Pepperstone offers access to 90+ currency pairs, and traders in the Netherlands are served by Pepperstone EU Limited, regulated by CySEC.
Disclaimer: 72-95% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
XTB: Best for education
XTB is a well-known online broker with one of the deepest education offerings on the market, from courses and webinars to daily market commentary. It has close to 50 currency pairs available and spreads starting at 0.9 pips on the Standard account. Their trading platforms, xStation 5 and xStation Mobile, are well-designed and user-friendly.
eToro: Best for social trading
eToro is the leading social trading broker, with more than 30 million registered users worldwide. You can trade more than 50 currency pairs with the ability to copy the trades of other experienced investors, which makes the platform attractive for beginners. Dutch clients can also fund their account with iDEAL.
Disclaimer: Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.
| Forex broker | Minimum deposit | Number of currency pairs | Spreads starting at (pips) |
| Interactive Brokers | €0 | 100+ | 0.1 (subject to commission) |
| Pepperstone | €0 | 90+ | 0.0 (Razor account, plus commission); variable (Standard account) |
| XTB | €0 | Close to 50 | 0.9 (Standard account) |
| eToro | $50 | 50+ | $0 commission, but spreads starting 1 pip apply |
Spreads are not fixed: they vary depending on the currency pair, liquidity, and market events. The above spreads are mentioned as presented on the broker’s website.
#1 Interactive Brokers at a glance
Interactive Brokers is one of the biggest global brokers, where you can access over 150 markets in 33 countries. Almost all financial instruments are available on their platforms, such as stocks, bonds, ETFs, Forex, Funds, Commodities, Options, Futures, CFDs, Crypto Futures, and even penny stocks. The company was founded in 1978, is listed on the NASDAQ exchange, and is regulated by several top-tier international regulators.
Interactive Brokers offers a robust and professional-grade environment for Forex trading, providing access to over 100 currency pairs across major and emerging markets. With deep liquidity, institutional-grade execution, and low trading costs, it is a top choice for advanced traders seeking efficiency and scale.
Key Forex Highlights:
- Trade 100+ currency pairs with institutional spreads
- Direct market access and smart order routing for optimal pricing
- Ultra-low commission-based pricing with tiered or fixed structures
- Advanced risk management tools and real-time analytics
- Integrated within the Trader Workstation (TWS), a platform designed for professionals
If you open an account from the Netherlands, you become a client of Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited (IBIE), which is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and serves all EU and EEA residents. Private clients of IBIE are covered by the Irish Investor Compensation Scheme, which pays 90% of the amount lost up to a maximum of €20,000 per investor. This protection applies if the firm fails, not if your positions lose value.
Interactive Brokers supports multiple base currencies and applies the retail leverage caps in force in the EU, up to 30:1 on major currency pairs. While the platform is best suited for experienced users, its mobile app and web platforms offer simplified access to the Forex market for less advanced traders.
With no minimum deposit, transparent fee structure, and reliable execution, Interactive Brokers is ideal for serious Forex traders who value performance, control, and global market access.
We recommend you check out our comprehensive Interactive Brokers review.
#2 Pepperstone at a glance
72-95% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Pepperstone, founded in 2010, has positioned itself as one of the largest Forex and CFD brokers, helping over 750,000 retail trading accounts worldwide. It has earned several awards for its exceptional services, including our “Best MT4 and MT5 Broker” award for 2025. With access to over 90 currency pairs and tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips, it particularly appeals to day traders, scalpers, and algorithmic traders.
Traders in the Netherlands are served by Pepperstone EU Limited, authorised and regulated by CySEC under licence 388/20 and passported into the Netherlands under MiFID II, with the wider group also licensed by top-tier authorities such as the FCA, ASIC and BaFin. As a CySEC client, you are covered by the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund, up to €20,000 per investor, if the firm fails. The broker offers various trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView, with features like advanced charting and automated trading.
Account types cater to various trader needs. The Razor account, favoured by scalpers and users of Expert Advisors, offers spreads starting from zero pips with a small commission, while the Standard account incorporates commissions into the spread rate and is suitable for those preferring a straightforward approach to trading.
Key Forex Highlights:
- Trade 90+ major, minor, and exotic Forex pairs
- Low latency execution and spreads from 0.0 pips on Razor accounts
- Commission-based and spread-based pricing models to suit different trading styles
- Dutch clients trade under a CySEC licence passported into the Netherlands, with negative balance protection and segregated client money
Pepperstone’s Forex offering is enhanced by strong platform flexibility, fast execution speed, and deep liquidity from multiple tier-1 providers.
Although the broker focuses solely on CFD products (meaning you do not own the underlying asset), it remains one of the best choices for Forex traders seeking cost-efficiency and execution quality.
Read our Pepperstone review for a deeper insight!
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72-95% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
#3 XTB at a glance
69-80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
XTB is a global CFD broker headquartered in Poland and listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, with more than one million clients and over 20 years of market presence. It offers close to 50 currency pairs with competitive spreads, no minimum deposit, and robust trading platforms. Dutch traders are served under XTB’s EU licences, passported into the Netherlands under MiFID II, and the firm appears in the AFM register.
Key Forex Highlights:
- Trade close to 50 Forex pairs, covering major and minor currencies
- Platforms: xStation 5 (desktop and web) and xStation Mobile, both user-friendly and feature-rich
- No minimum deposit, making it accessible to all traders
- Funding methods include bank transfers, credit/debit cards, Skrill, and Paysafe
- Regulated by KNF, CySEC, FCA, BaFin and DFSA, offering high levels of investor protection
- Competitive spreads on major pairs, with no separate commission on Forex
XTB is particularly strong when it comes to education and trader development. Its library of courses, webinars, market commentary and tutorials makes it a standout choice for beginners who want to build solid FX knowledge, as well as for more experienced traders looking to refine their strategies. Alongside CFDs, it also gives you access to real stocks and ETFs, with 0% commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover.
On the negative side, XTB applies a 0.5% currency conversion fee when you trade in a currency other than your account currency. Withdrawals are free above €100, while smaller amounts carry a €10 fee, and an inactivity fee of €10 per month applies after 12 months without trading if you have not made a deposit in the previous 90 days.
Read our XTB review for further insights.
#4 eToro at a glance
52% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Since 2007, eToro has been a unique broker in the Forex space, offering a social trading platform where users can copy the trades of experienced investors. With access to over 50 currency pairs, eToro blends Forex trading with community-driven insights, making it a compelling option for beginners and intermediate traders.
Key Forex Highlights:
- Trade 50+ Forex pairs, including majors, minors, and selected exotics
- Social trading features allow you to follow and copy top-performing traders
- Dutch clients are served by eToro (Europe) Ltd, regulated by CySEC and registered with the AFM
- Multiple funding options: iDEAL, bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller
- Minimum deposit of $50 in the Netherlands
- Intuitive platform focused on simplicity rather than advanced technical tools
eToro is ideal for those looking to learn from others or simplify the trading process through automation. While its Forex offering is less extensive than traditional brokers and spreads may be wider, its community features, low entry barrier, and strong regulation make it a great starting point for aspiring Forex traders. It also gives you a free demo account with virtual funds, useful to test strategies before you go live.
eToro developed its web trading platform, which is intuitive and user-friendly for beginners. On the cost side, accounts are denominated in USD, so euro deposits are converted and a conversion fee applies. They also charge $5 per withdrawal request and a $10 monthly fee after one year of inactivity.
Read our eToro review here.
What makes a good Forex broker?
Many features and benefits should be considered when looking for a good Forex broker, whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader. Among the most critical factors that you might want to check are:
- Regulation: It is the most important criteria, as you must ensure that the company is legit before transferring your money. In the Netherlands, that means checking whether the broker holds a licence from the AFM or from another EU authority passported into the country. We recommend that you never consider a broker without a licence from a reputable authority.
- Commissions: Good brokers usually offer tight spreads and low commissions, but the rates depend on the instrument and market you are trading in. They should also be transparent about their full pricing structure, including swaps and currency conversion.
- Trading platform: A good Forex broker offers dedicated tools to analyse currency pairs, whether through MT4, MT5, cTrader, or a proprietary platform with real-time charts and mobile access.
- Deposit and withdrawal method: A reputable European broker will make it easy and convenient for users to deposit and withdraw funds by offering several methods, such as wire transfer, debit or credit card, or other electronic payment methods. In the Netherlands, iDEAL support is a plus.
- Customer support and education: Responsive support and solid educational material make a real difference, especially if you are starting out.
EU regulation: what it means for Dutch Forex traders
The AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten) is the conduct regulator for financial markets in the Netherlands, alongside De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) on the prudential side. Even so, most Forex brokers serving Dutch traders operate under EU licences from authorities such as CySEC (Cyprus) or the Central Bank of Ireland, and passport their services into the Netherlands. All these regulators follow the same overarching framework, MiFID II (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive), which ensures a consistent level of protection for retail traders across all EU member states.
On top of that, the AFM applied its own national product intervention measures: since 19 April 2019, binary options are prohibited and the marketing, distribution and sale of CFDs to retail investors in and from the Netherlands is restricted. These rules apply to Dutch firms and to firms passporting in from another member state.
Under MiFID II and the Dutch measures, brokers must comply with several key rules designed to protect clients, including:
Negative balance protection
For CFD trading, brokers must provide negative balance protection on a per-account basis. This means your losses can never exceed the funds you have in your trading account, you cannot go into debt or owe the broker money due to volatility or leveraged positions.
Segregation of client funds
Brokers must keep client funds separate from their own operational accounts. This ensures that your money remains protected even if the broker encounters financial difficulties.
Leverage restrictions
The rules limit maximum leverage for retail traders:
- 1:30 for major FX pairs
- 1:20 for minor pairs
These limits are designed to reduce the risk of large losses.
No trading incentives
CFD providers cannot offer bonuses or other incentives to attract retail clients in the Netherlands. If a platform promises you a deposit bonus to trade CFDs, treat it as a red flag.
Transparency and fair pricing
Brokers operating under these rules must provide:
- Clear, standardised risk warnings
- Transparent pricing policies
- Best-execution procedures to ensure fair trade execution
Investor compensation schemes
Depending on where the broker is licensed, you are protected by a different scheme:
- ICF (Cyprus): up to €20,000
- ICS (Ireland): 90% of the amount lost, up to €20,000
- Beleggerscompensatiestelsel (Netherlands): up to €20,000 per investor, for firms licensed in the Netherlands
In every case, this protection covers the failure of the firm, not losses on your positions.
All in all, even if a broker is not licensed directly by the AFM, operating under an EU licence means it must follow the same MiFID II standards, offering strong and consistent protection across Europe.
This makes EU-regulated brokers a legitimate option for Forex traders in the Netherlands, as long as they are properly licensed and transparent. You can always confirm a firm’s status in the AFM public register.
Bottom line
Searching for the best Forex broker in the Netherlands and comparing different trading conditions is challenging. Many factors should be considered, and it is time-consuming to gather all the information to choose the best one that fits your needs.
Our analysts performed this task and concluded their findings in this review of the “Best Forex brokers in the Netherlands”, summarized below:
Interactive Brokers
Best overallPepperstone
Best MT4 and MT5 brokerXTB
Best for educationeToro
Best for social trading
You can always try our “BrokerMatch” tool to know which broker might be best for you, or you can also check our comparison table for an in-depth overview of the main features of several global brokers. You can also read our reviews for more information about the products and services offered by each broker.
Whether you’re a beginner trader looking to start your trading journey or an experienced investor searching for enhanced brokerage services, we hope this article saved you some time while searching for Dutch Forex brokers. We recommend you do your own research to assess which online broker will be better for you (a demo account might be helpful).
FAQs
Is Forex trading legal in the Netherlands?
Yes. Forex trading is legal, but the marketing, distribution and sale of CFDs to retail investors is restricted by the AFM, and binary options are banned. Always check that your broker holds an AFM licence or an EU licence passported into the Netherlands.
Can you trade in Forex without a broker?
No, you can’t have direct access to the Forex market without a broker. Still, you can exchange currencies over the counter at any exchange dealer.
Can I trade Forex with €10? And €100?
Yes, you can trade Forex with amounts as low as €100 or even €10. But the trade size will be small.
How to open an account with a Forex broker in the Netherlands?
It is very simple, you just need to visit the broker’s website and sign up by filling the required fields and uploading the needed documents, usually an ID or passport and a proof of address.
What is a PIP (percentage in point)?
Pip stands for “percentage in point”, which is the unit of change in an exchange rate. For example, 1 pip change in a rate is equal to a 0.0001 change.
