DeGiro Review for Expats in Netherlands 2026

The first time I opened a Dutch brokerage account, I went with DeGiro out of a combination of recommendation overload and the fact that every expat finance forum I could find seemed to end up saying the same thing: it’s the cheapest, just use it.

That was a few years ago. Since then I have helped dozens of expat clients think through their investing setup in the Netherlands, and I have seen DeGiro used well, used badly, and occasionally misunderstood in ways that cost real money. What I have not seen is an honest review written from the perspective of someone who actually moved here, had to figure out the BSN requirement, wondered about Box 3, and had to decide between the Basic and Custody account types without entirely understanding what either meant.

This review is that. It is long. It covers the details other reviews skip. If you want a quick verdict: DeGiro is excellent for most expats, with two caveats you need to know before you sign up.

DeGiro at a Glance

Who DeGiro Is For (And Who It Isn’t)

Before getting into the setup details, let me be clear about fit.

DeGiro is a strong choice if you:

• Are a Dutch tax resident (or becoming one) with a valid BSN
• Want broad access to European, US, and Asian markets at very low cost
• Are a passive investor building a long-term ETF portfolio
• Want your investments automatically pre-filled in your Dutch tax return

DeGiro is not right if you:

• Are a US person (American citizen or green card holder) — you will be rejected at KYC
• Want UK-ISA-style tax-advantaged accounts (these do not exist in the Netherlands)
• Need sophisticated options strategies or leveraged products (look at Interactive Brokers)
• Want zero-commission trading with no per-trade fee (look at Trading 212 or eToro)

The single biggest restriction I want flag immediately: if you hold US citizenship or a US green card, stop here. DeGiro, like most European brokers, does not accept US persons. This is a firm policy, not a technicality that can be worked around. American expats in the Netherlands should read my full guide to investing as an American expat in the Netherlands before looking at brokers.

Account Setup as an Expat: Step by Step

What You Need Before You Start

1. A Dutch BSN — This is non-negotiable. DeGiro will ask for it during registration. If you have just arrived in the Netherlands, you can only get a BSN after registering at your local municipality (gemeente). Read my full BSN registration guide if you have not done this yet.
2. A valid identity document — EU passport or national ID card. Non-EU nationals should use their passport. Residence permit alone is not sufficient.
3. A Dutch bank account or EU bank account — You will need a linked bank account for deposits and withdrawals. A Wise account with a Belgian IBAN works for most expats without a Dutch bank yet.
4. A Dutch residential address — DeGiro verifies your address. A temporary address or employer’s address is acceptable during registration if you are in the process of finding permanent housing.

The Registration Process

Registration is done entirely online at degiro.nl (or degiro.eu in English). The form asks for your personal details, BSN, and identity document upload. In most cases, approval takes less than 24 hours. I have seen clients get approved in a few hours during business days.

Once approved, you choose your account type before making your first deposit. This is the decision most expats regret not thinking through carefully.

Basic vs Custody Account: The Decision Most Expats Get Wrong

DeGiro offers two main account types for retail investors: Basic and Custody. Understanding the difference matters.

Basic Account

The Basic account is DeGiro’s standard offering. It gives you access to the full range of markets and instruments at DeGiro’s standard commission rates. The catch: DeGiro participates in a securities lending programme on Basic accounts. This means DeGiro can lend your shares to third parties (typically hedge funds or other institutions) in exchange for a fee. DeGiro keeps most of that fee.

You receive a small portion of the lending income as compensation, but more importantly, you take on a counterparty risk: if the borrower of your shares defaults, you could theoretically lose those shares, though DeGiro holds collateral to cover this. In practice, the risk is low, but it exists.

Custody Account

The Custody account does not participate in securities lending. Your shares sit in the Stichting DeGiro entity, segregated and unlent. You pay slightly higher commissions — an extra EUR 1 per trade — and lose access to some instruments and leverage products. For a long-term passive ETF investor, Custody is the cleaner choice.

My recommendation for most expats: Use the Custody account. The extra EUR 1 per trade is genuinely negligible if you are investing monthly or quarterly in a handful of ETFs. The peace of mind from knowing your shares are not on loan to a counterparty you know nothing about is worth it.

Fees: How DeGiro Actually Compares

Let me break down the real costs for a typical expat investor in 2026.

Trading Commissions (Custody Account)

For context: if you buy EUR 1,000 of VWRL on Euronext Amsterdam, your commission is EUR 2 + EUR 0.30 = EUR 2.30. That is less than most Dutch bank investment platforms charge per trade, and dramatically less than services like ABN AMRO’s own brokerage.

The Free ETF Core Selection

DeGiro historically offered one free trade per month on ETFs in its “Core Selection” — a list of broadly diversified index funds from major providers including iShares, Vanguard, and Xtrackers. You trade without a commission, paying only the spread (the difference between the buy and sell price, set by the market).

This is a genuine benefit for someone investing a lump sum or a monthly amount into a single ETF. However, “free” is conditional: the trade must meet certain conditions (minimum size, correct trading hours), and the Core Selection changes. Check the current list on DeGiro’s website before assuming your preferred ETF qualifies.

Annual Custody Fee

DeGiro charges an annual connectivity fee of EUR 2.50 per exchange where you hold a position (e.g. Euronext Amsterdam, XETRA). For most expats holding two or three ETFs on one or two exchanges, this amounts to EUR 5–10 per year. This is negligible.

Currency Conversion

When you buy US-listed stocks or ETFs denominated in USD, DeGiro converts your euros at the spot rate plus a 0.25% currency conversion fee. If you want to avoid repeated conversion fees, DeGiro offers a currency conversion service (AutoFX) that handles this automatically. Alternatively, buying EUR-denominated ETFs on European exchanges avoids the conversion fee entirely — and for most expat investors buying global ETFs, EUR-denominated listings on Euronext or XETRA are the most cost-efficient route.

ETF Core Selection: What to Buy as a Netherlands-Based Expat

I am not a licensed investment advisor, and I am not going to tell you what to buy. What I can tell you is which ETFs consistently come up in the portfolios of expats I work with, and why.

The Benchmark Choice: VWRL / VWCE

The Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF — traded as VWRL (distributing) or VWCE (accumulating) — is by far the most commonly recommended single-ETF solution for European investors. It covers approximately 3,700 companies across developed and emerging markets in a single fund. Ongoing charge: 0.22% per year.

For Dutch tax residents, VWCE (accumulating) is often preferred because it automatically reinvests dividends without paying them out. This simplifies dividend tax administration — you do not receive a dividend payment subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax, and you do not need to manually reinvest cash. Box 3 treats both versions the same (your portfolio value on 1 January is what matters, not whether dividends were paid out or reinvested).

A Simple Two-ETF Option

Some expats prefer slightly lower fees by splitting:

• iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (SWDA) — developed markets, 0.20% ongoing charge
• iShares MSCI Emerging Markets IMI UCITS ETF (EMIM) — emerging markets, 0.18% ongoing charge

Combined at roughly 88% developed / 12% emerging, this approximates a world portfolio at marginally lower cost than VWRL, with two positions to maintain instead of one.

What About ESG ETFs?

Several clients ask about sustainable or ESG-screened alternatives. iShares MSCI World ESG Screened UCITS ETF (SAWD) and Vanguard ESG Global All Cap UCITS ETF are the most commonly cited options. These are perfectly viable for expats in the Netherlands and are available on DeGiro. The performance difference versus non-screened equivalents has been modest historically, and they are not dramatically more expensive.

Box 3 Tax: What DeGiro Means for Your Dutch Tax Return

This is the section most reviews skip, and it is the one expats most need.

How Box 3 Works for DeGiro Investors

The Netherlands does not tax your investment gains, dividends, or interest in the conventional sense. Instead, Box 3 taxes your net wealth above the tax-free threshold (heffingsvrij vermogen) on a deemed-return basis. For 2026:

• Tax-free threshold: approximately EUR 57,000 per person (EUR 114,000 for fiscal partners)
• Deemed return on investments: approximately 5.88% (2026 estimated)
• Box 3 tax rate: 36%

So if your DeGiro portfolio is worth EUR 100,000 and you are single:

• Taxable wealth = EUR 100,000 − EUR 57,000 = EUR 43,000
• Deemed return = EUR 43,000 × 5.88% = EUR 2,528
• Tax owed = EUR 2,528 × 36% = approximately EUR 910

This is calculated on your portfolio value on 1 January each year — not on gains realised during the year.

The Pre-Filling Advantage

DeGiro reports your portfolio value to the Belastingdienst automatically. When you log into your Dutch tax return (aangifte), your DeGiro balance should appear pre-filled under Box 3. This is a genuine practical advantage — you do not need to export reports and manually enter figures.

That said, I always recommend checking the pre-filled amount against your actual DeGiro statement for 1 January. Dividend tax credits (dividendbelasting that can be credited against your overall tax bill) sometimes need to be manually verified.

The 30% Ruling and Box 3

If you receive the 30% ruling and opted for partial non-resident status (partieel buitenlandse belastingplicht), your foreign assets may be exempt from Dutch Box 3 tax. This does not affect assets held in DeGiro (which is a Dutch platform holding Dutch-resident assets), but it can affect your ISA, foreign pension, or investment accounts in your home country. I cover this in detail in my 30% ruling guide.

Dividend Withholding Tax

When you hold ETFs or stocks that pay dividends, a withholding tax is often deducted at source. For Dutch-listed ETFs, a 15% Dutch dividendbelasting is withheld. DeGiro handles this mechanically — you see it on your transaction history. The withheld dividendbelasting can typically be credited against your total Dutch tax bill, reducing what you owe. Your annual tax return handles this automatically if you file correctly.

DeGiro vs Interactive Brokers vs Trading 212

When to Choose Interactive Brokers Instead

Interactive Brokers is the right choice if:

• You are a US person (IBKR is one of the few platforms that accepts American expats)
• You want interest on your uninvested cash at meaningful rates
• You trade options, futures, or CFDs seriously
• You manage a portfolio above EUR 100,000 and want professional-grade tools

The downside: IBKR’s interface is genuinely complex, and it does not auto-report to the Belastingdienst. You will need to manually pull your 1 January balance from your IBKR account statement and enter it in your Dutch tax return each year.

When to Choose Trading 212 Instead

Trading 212 is attractive if:

• You want zero commission on every trade with no minimum
• You are investing small amounts regularly where per-trade fees matter more
• You want a simple mobile-first experience

The downsides: it is FCA-regulated (UK), not AFM-regulated (Netherlands); it does not pre-fill Dutch tax returns; and its product range is narrower than DeGiro’s. It also does not offer a Custody account type — all accounts participate in its equivalent of securities lending.

The Two Caveats I Promised

I mentioned at the start that I have two caveats about DeGiro. Here they are:

Caveat 1: Customer Support Is Slow

DeGiro’s customer support is mediocre. Responses to email queries can take several days. The in-app chat is sometimes staffed, sometimes not. If you have an urgent issue — a corporate action on a stock you hold, an unexplained transaction, a problem with your identity verification — you may be waiting longer than is comfortable.

This is the most consistent complaint I hear from expat clients who use DeGiro. For simple buy-and-hold investing, you rarely need support. But when you do need it, the experience can be frustrating.

Caveat 2: The Platform Lacks Sophistication

DeGiro’s platform does the basics well. It does not do much beyond the basics. There is no built-in portfolio analytics, no tax-loss harvesting tool, no automatic rebalancing, no financial planning integration. If you want to see your overall net worth, analyse your sector allocation, or track your returns against a benchmark, you will need a third-party tool.

For a passive investor buying one or two ETFs every month and leaving them alone, this is fine. For someone who wants a richer analytical experience, look at an alternative or supplement DeGiro with a tool like Portfolio Performance (free, open-source) or a paid service.

Opening Your DeGiro Account: Practical Tips

1. Start the BSN process before you arrive if possible. You cannot register with a Dutch municipality until you have a Dutch address, but you can prepare all your documents. The faster you get your BSN, the faster you can open your brokerage account.

2. Choose Custody over Basic unless you have a specific reason not to. The extra EUR 1 per trade is insignificant for long-term investors.

3. Fund your account via SEPA bank transfer. Deposit minimum is EUR 0.01 but practically you will want at least EUR 500–1,000 to make the first trade worthwhile relative to any spread costs. If you are transferring funds from a foreign bank account, use Wise → to get the real mid-market exchange rate — banks typically add a 2–4% markup on currency conversions that quietly erodes your investment before it even begins.

4. Check the Core Selection list on the day you plan to trade. DeGiro’s free ETF list is updated periodically. Confirm your chosen ETF is still on the list before assuming the trade is free.

5. Verify your Box 3 pre-fill each January. Log into Mijn Belastingdienst by the end of March and check that your DeGiro balance on 1 January matches what your DeGiro annual statement shows.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros

• Very low fees — among the cheapest in Europe for ETF investing
• Dutch-regulated (AFM + DNB), with a well-established track record
• Automatic Box 3 reporting to Belastingdienst
• Broad market access (30+ exchanges, thousands of instruments)
• No minimum deposit
• English-language interface available
• One free ETF trade per month on Core Selection

Cons

• US persons cannot open an account
• Customer support is slow and inconsistent
• Basic account involves securities lending (Custody account avoids this)
• No cash interest on uninvested funds
• Platform is functional but not feature-rich
• Does not support iDEAL deposits (use bank transfer)

My Verdict

DeGiro is my default recommendation for expats in the Netherlands who want to start investing in ETFs at low cost. It is not perfect, and I want to be honest about what “not perfect” means: slow support, no interest on cash, and a fairly basic platform. These are real limitations.

But for a passive investor putting EUR 300–1,000 per month into a globally diversified ETF — which is the approach I think makes sense for most expats — none of those limitations matter much day-to-day. The fees are genuinely low, the Dutch tax reporting is automated, and the platform does what it needs to do.

If you are an American, look at Interactive Brokers instead. If you want zero commission, consider Trading 212. For everyone else, DeGiro is a solid, reliable starting point.

Read my full guide to investing as an expat in the Netherlands for the broader context — platform choice is just one piece of the puzzle.

Open a Free Wise Account for Currency Transfers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a BSN to open a DeGiro account in the Netherlands?

Yes. DeGiro requires a Dutch BSN (Burgerservicenummer) to open an account as a Dutch resident. You will also need to complete identity verification with a valid EU passport or national ID card. Once you have your BSN after registering with your municipality, the account application usually completes within one working day.

How does DeGiro report my investments to the Dutch tax authority?

DeGiro automatically reports your portfolio value to the Belastingdienst as part of Dutch financial institution reporting obligations. Your investment balance on 1 January each year is pre-filled in your Dutch tax return under Box 3. You should still check the pre-filled amount for accuracy each year.

Can I buy VWRL or VWCE on DeGiro?

Yes. Both are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and available on DeGiro. Check the current Core Selection list to confirm whether either qualifies for the one free trade per month. Even outside the free selection, the standard commission is very low.

Is DeGiro safe?

DeGiro is regulated by the AFM and DNB. Your investments are held in a separate legal entity, Stichting DeGiro, segregated from DeGiro’s corporate assets. Cash is covered by the Dutch DGS up to EUR 100,000. The Custody account avoids securities lending risk.

Does DeGiro work for American expats?

No. DeGiro does not accept US persons due to FATCA compliance requirements. American expats should use Interactive Brokers, which is one of the few platforms available in the Netherlands that accepts US citizens and green card holders.

Related reading: Investing in the Netherlands as an Expat | 30% Ruling Guide | Dutch Tax Return Checklist | Best Finance Apps for Expats | Wise vs Revolut Netherlands

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