Copy trading
Best Copy Trading Platforms in Europe 2026
Follow and copy successful traders.
Updated 2026-05-19
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Understand the risks: How copy trading actually works
5+
Copy trading platforms
€200
Typical minimum copy
35M+
eToro users globally
76%
Retail CFD loss rate
What are copy trading platforms?
Copy trading is a form of investing where you automatically replicate the trades of another investor in real time. When the trader you copy buys a stock, the same stock is bought in your account proportionally. When they sell, your position is sold too. It bridges the gap between wanting to invest and not having the time or knowledge to make individual trading decisions.
The largest copy trading platform in Europe is eToro, with over 35 million registered users. eToro's "CopyTrader" feature lets you browse popular investors, see their track record (returns, risk score, portfolio composition), and allocate funds to copy them. Other platforms offering copy trading include ZuluTrade (connects to multiple brokers), NAGA (Germany-based), and AvaTrade (offers the DupliTrade feature).
Copy trading is regulated under MiFID II in Europe. Platforms must be authorized by a national regulator (eToro operates under CySEC in Cyprus with EU passporting to other countries). The platform itself does not provide investment advice. By copying another trader, you make your own investment decision based on publicly available performance data.
An important reality check: past performance of a copy trader does not guarantee future results. This is not a passive index strategy but active trading by another person. The trader you copy can change their strategy, take on more risk, or simply have a bad period. ESMA data shows that the majority of retail trading accounts lose money, and copying a retail trader does not eliminate this risk. Many platforms display a mandatory risk warning: "76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider" (eToro's specific figure).
Copy trading works best as a learning tool or a supplement to a diversified portfolio, not as a replacement for understanding what you are investing in.
Frequently asked questions
It can be, but it depends entirely on who you copy. On eToro, only about 20-30% of copied traders consistently outperform the market. Always check a trader's full history (not just recent months) and diversify across multiple traders to reduce risk.
Yes, copy trading is fully legal and regulated in Europe. Platforms like eToro are licensed by CySEC (Cyprus) and authorized across the EU. However, CFD copy trading carries high risk. EU regulation requires platforms to display risk warnings.
eToro requires a minimum of $200 to copy a single trader. You can copy multiple traders, so a portfolio of 5 traders would need at least $1,000. Start small and increase your allocation only after you understand how the platform works.
A robo-advisor follows a fixed algorithm based on your risk profile. Copy trading lets you follow individual human traders who make their own decisions. Robo-advisors are more predictable and lower risk, while copy trading can offer higher returns but also higher losses.
Copy trading returns depend entirely on the traders you choose to follow. While some top traders on platforms like eToro or ZuluTrade show annual returns of 10% to 30%, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Many copied traders also experience drawdown periods. Diversify by following multiple traders with different strategies, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Yes, copy trading platforms operating in the EU are regulated under MiFID II as investment services. The platform itself must be authorised by a national financial regulator (e.g., CySEC, BaFin, AMF). Risk warnings are mandatory, and platforms must display past performance data transparently. However, the individual traders you copy are not regulated as investment advisors.
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Investing involves risk. You could lose some or all of your money. Capmap provides educational information only, not financial advice. Always do your own research before investing. Full risk disclaimer
