Best ETF brokers in the Netherlands 2026: a complete comparison

At a glance

The Netherlands has become one of Europe's most competitive markets for ETF investing, with Dutch and international brokers offering low-cost access to thousands of funds. Whether you want the cheapest trades, the best savings plan, or a commission-free experience, this guide compares the eight best ETF brokers available to Dutch investors in 2026. Last verified: 2026-03-23.

Broker	ETF trading fee	Free ETFs	Savings plans	Fractional shares	Regulator
DEGIRO	EUR 1.00 handling fee (core ETFs)	1,000+	No	No	BaFin, AFM
Trade Republic	EUR 1.00 per trade	1,000+	Yes (free)	Yes	BaFin
Scalable Capital	EUR 0.99 (FREE plan) or EUR 0.00 for orders over EUR 250 (PRIME+)	2,300+	Yes (free)	Yes	BaFin
Trading 212	0% commission	7,000+	Yes (free)	Yes	FCA, CySEC
XTB	0% commission (up to EUR 100,000/month)	3,500+	Yes (free)	Yes	KNF, FCA, BaFin
Lightyear	0% commission	3,000+	No	Yes	FCA, EFSA
BUX Zero	EUR 0.00 to EUR 3.99 (depends on plan)	2,500+	Yes (free)	Yes	AFM, DNB
Flatex	EUR 5.90 flat fee	1,500+	Yes (free)	No	BaFin, FMA

How we selected these brokers

We started with every investing platform on Capmap that is available in the Netherlands and offers ETF trading. We then filtered for brokers with published fee data, a regulatory score of 6 or above, and a meaningful ETF selection. The eight brokers below represent the strongest options across different investing styles, from hands-off savings plans to active trading.

We did not rank these brokers from best to worst. The right ETF broker depends on your investing style, how much you trade, and which features matter to you. Instead, we highlight what each broker does well and where it falls short, so you can make your own informed decision.

DEGIRO: the Dutch low-cost pioneer

DEGIRO is one of the most well-known brokers in the Netherlands, serving over 2.5 million clients across 14 European countries. Founded in Amsterdam in 2008 and now part of the flatexDEGIRO group, it is regulated by both BaFin (Germany) and AFM (Netherlands).

ETF trading on DEGIRO costs just a EUR 1.00 handling fee for the core selection of over 1,000 ETFs on Tradegate. Other ETFs cost EUR 3.00 per trade. There are no annual account fees, no inactivity fees, and no minimum deposit. If you trade on exchanges outside Tradegate, you pay a EUR 2.50 connectivity fee per exchange per year.

DEGIRO is a strong choice if you want broad market access at low cost. It covers Euronext, XETRA, NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE, and several other exchanges. The main limitation is the lack of savings plans and fractional shares, which means you need to buy whole ETF units manually. Currency conversion costs 0.25% when buying non-EUR assets.

Best for: experienced investors who want low-cost access to a wide range of global exchanges and are comfortable placing orders manually.

Trade Republic: best for automated ETF savings plans

Trade Republic is a German mobile-first broker that has expanded rapidly across Europe, now available in the Netherlands alongside 10 other countries. It holds a full banking licence from BaFin and offers EUR 100,000 deposit protection through the German DGS.

Every trade costs EUR 1.00 flat, but savings plans are completely free. You can set up automated monthly investments into over 1,000 ETFs starting from just EUR 1.00, thanks to fractional shares. Trade Republic also pays 2.00% interest on uninvested cash, which is a useful bonus while you build your portfolio.

The platform is mobile-first, which means the app experience is polished but the web platform is more basic. Product selection includes stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds, and derivatives. One downside for Dutch users: iDEAL is not supported for deposits, so you need to use a bank transfer. Transferring positions out costs EUR 25.00 per position.

Best for: investors who want to automate their ETF investing with free savings plans and start small with fractional shares.

Scalable Capital: best subscription model for active ETF traders

Scalable Capital is a German fintech that offers both a self-directed broker and a robo-advisor service. Available in the Netherlands and five other European countries, it is regulated by BaFin.

Scalable Capital stands out with its subscription-based pricing. The FREE plan charges EUR 0.99 per trade. The PRIME+ plan costs EUR 4.99 per month but gives you unlimited trades for free on orders over EUR 250, making it ideal if you trade frequently. All savings plans are free on both plans, and the ETF selection exceeds 2,300 funds.

Fractional shares are available, and the platform supports both web and mobile. Crypto ETPs are also tradeable. One consideration: trades on XETRA (the main German exchange) cost EUR 3.99 plus a small venue fee, even on the PRIME+ plan.

Best for: active investors who trade regularly and can benefit from the flat-fee PRIME+ subscription to eliminate per-trade costs.

Trading 212: largest free ETF selection

Trading 212 offers genuinely commission-free stock and ETF trading with over 7,000 ETFs available at zero cost. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in the UK, it is regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus).

The platform supports fractional shares from as little as EUR 1.00, free automated savings plans (called "pies"), and a demo account for practising. It covers major exchanges including NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE, Euronext, and XETRA. The only notable cost is a 0.15% currency conversion fee when buying assets in a different currency.

Trading 212 also offers CFD trading through a separate account, but for long-term ETF investors the Invest account is the relevant product. Deposit protection is EUR 20,000 through the ICF in Cyprus. The platform accepts deposits via bank transfer, credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Best for: investors who want the widest commission-free ETF selection with fractional shares and automated investing features.

XTB: commission-free with strong research tools

XTB is a Polish broker listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, regulated by KNF (Poland), FCA (UK), CySEC, and BaFin. It offers 0% commission on stock and ETF trades up to EUR 100,000 in monthly volume, after which a 0.2% fee applies.

With over 3,500 free ETFs, XTB provides a solid selection across European and US markets. The platform includes savings plans, fractional shares, and a demo account. Its xStation trading platform is widely regarded as one of the best among retail brokers, with built-in analysis tools, market news, and educational content.

XTB also offers CFDs and forex alongside its stock and ETF offering. Deposit protection is EUR 20,000 through the Polish Investor Compensation Fund. There is no minimum deposit and no annual account fee.

Best for: investors who value a professional trading platform with strong research tools alongside commission-free ETF trading.

Lightyear: the commission-free newcomer

Lightyear is an Estonian fintech founded in 2020, regulated by the FCA (UK) and EFSA (Estonia). It offers 0% commission on US and European stocks and ETFs, with over 3,000 free ETFs available.

Lightyear keeps things simple: no annual fees, no minimum deposit (just EUR 1.00 to start), and fractional shares on supported instruments. The FX conversion fee is 0.35%, which is competitive but slightly higher than some alternatives. Deposits can be made via bank transfer, credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

As a newer platform, Lightyear does not yet offer savings plans or a demo account, and the product range is limited to stocks and ETFs. Deposit protection is EUR 20,000 through the Estonian ICF. Despite being young, it has attracted attention for its clean interface and straightforward pricing.

Best for: investors who want a simple, no-frills commission-free experience and do not need advanced features like savings plans or derivatives.

BUX Zero: Dutch-regulated and beginner-friendly

BUX Zero is a Dutch neobroker regulated by both the AFM and DNB. It offers three subscription tiers: Basic (free, up to EUR 3.99 per order), Plus (EUR 2.99/month, up to EUR 1.99 per order with 1.5% interest), and Prime (EUR 7.99/month, up to EUR 0.99 per order with 1.75% interest). Investment plan orders are always free.

BUX Zero provides access to over 2,500 ETFs on Euronext, XETRA, NYSE, and NASDAQ. Fractional shares and free investment plans make it accessible for beginners who want to start with small amounts. It supports iDEAL for deposits, which is a practical advantage for Dutch users.

The main limitation is that BUX Zero is mobile-only with no web platform. For investors who prefer trading from a desktop, this may be a dealbreaker. Tax reporting is included, and deposit protection is EUR 20,000 through the Dutch ICF.

Best for: Dutch beginners who want a locally regulated broker with iDEAL support and free investment plans.

Flatex: established German broker with free savings plans

Flatex is a well-established German broker, part of the flatexDEGIRO group, regulated by BaFin and FMA (Austria). It charges a flat EUR 5.90 per trade, which is higher than the competition, but offers over 1,500 ETFs through free savings plans.

Flatex covers XETRA, Frankfurt, Euronext, NYSE, NASDAQ, and LSE. The product range is broad, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, warrants, and certificates. There is no minimum deposit, no annual fee, and deposit protection of EUR 100,000 through the German DGS.

Flatex is available in the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. While the per-trade fee is not the lowest, the free savings plan option and comprehensive product range make it a solid choice for investors who primarily use automated plans and occasionally place manual trades.

Best for: investors who want a reliable, established broker with free ETF savings plans and access to a wide range of investment products.

Fee comparison: ETF trading costs side by side

Broker	ETF trade fee	Annual account fee	FX conversion fee	Minimum deposit	Deposit protection
DEGIRO	EUR 1.00 (core) / EUR 3.00 (other)	EUR 0.00	0.25%	EUR 0.01	EUR 100,000 + EUR 20,000
Trade Republic	EUR 1.00	EUR 0.00	Not available on Capmap	EUR 1.00	EUR 100,000
Scalable Capital	EUR 0.99 (FREE) / EUR 0.00 over EUR 250 (PRIME+)	EUR 0.00 (FREE) / EUR 4.99/month (PRIME+)	Not available on Capmap	EUR 1.00	EUR 100,000
Trading 212	EUR 0.00	EUR 0.00	0.15%	EUR 1.00	EUR 20,000
XTB	EUR 0.00 (up to EUR 100,000/month)	EUR 0.00	0.50%	EUR 0.00	EUR 20,000
Lightyear	EUR 0.00	EUR 0.00	0.35%	EUR 1.00	EUR 20,000
BUX Zero	EUR 0.00 to EUR 3.99 (depends on plan)	EUR 0.00 to EUR 7.99/month	Not available on Capmap	EUR 0.00	EUR 20,000
Flatex	EUR 5.90	EUR 0.00	Not available on Capmap	EUR 0.00	EUR 100,000

Feature comparison

Feature	DEGIRO	Trade Republic	Scalable Capital	Trading 212	XTB	Lightyear	BUX Zero	Flatex
Free savings plans	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Fractional shares	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Web platform	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Mobile app	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Demo account	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
iDEAL deposits	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Cash interest	No	2.00%	No	No	No	No	Up to 1.75%	No
Dutch tax reporting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Which broker suits your situation?

Your ideal ETF broker depends on how you invest. Here are some common scenarios to help you narrow your choice:

If you want to automate monthly ETF investments, Trade Republic and Scalable Capital both offer free savings plans with fractional shares. Trade Republic charges EUR 1.00 per manual trade, while Scalable Capital's PRIME+ plan eliminates trade fees for orders over EUR 250. Trading 212, XTB, BUX Zero, and Flatex also offer free savings plans.

If you want the lowest possible cost per trade, Trading 212, XTB, and Lightyear all offer 0% commission on ETFs. The difference comes down to FX fees (0.15% for Trading 212, 0.35% for Lightyear, 0.50% for XTB) and additional features like savings plans.

If you want a Dutch-regulated broker with iDEAL support, DEGIRO and BUX Zero are both regulated by the AFM and DNB and accept iDEAL deposits. DEGIRO offers the broader market access, while BUX Zero is more beginner-friendly with fractional shares.

If you are an active trader, Scalable Capital's PRIME+ plan (EUR 4.99/month for unlimited free trades over EUR 250) or XTB's professional xStation platform may suit you best. For access to the widest range of markets and products, DEGIRO or Flatex provide more exchange coverage.

If you are just starting out, platforms with no minimum deposit, fractional shares, and simple interfaces make the first steps easier. Trade Republic, Trading 212, and BUX Zero are all designed with beginners in mind.

A note on regulation and deposit protection

All eight brokers in this comparison are regulated by at least one EU or EEA financial authority. However, the level of deposit protection varies. Dutch bank-backed platforms like DEGIRO (through flatexDEGIRO's German banking licence) offer up to EUR 100,000 in deposit protection plus EUR 20,000 in investor compensation. Trade Republic and Scalable Capital also provide EUR 100,000 protection through the German deposit guarantee scheme.

Brokers regulated outside of the major EU banking centres, such as Trading 212 (Cyprus), XTB (Poland), Lightyear (Estonia), and BUX Zero (Netherlands), provide EUR 20,000 investor compensation. This covers your securities if the broker goes bankrupt, but does not cover investment losses from market movements.

Conclusion

Dutch investors have never had more choice when it comes to ETF investing. Commission-free brokers like Trading 212, XTB, and Lightyear have pushed costs to near zero, while Trade Republic and Scalable Capital lead on automated savings plans. DEGIRO remains a top choice for market access at low cost, and BUX Zero offers a locally regulated, beginner-friendly option with iDEAL support.

Compare all investing platforms on Capmap to find the broker that fits your needs.

This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change -- verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-23.

Related guides

• DEGIRO review 2026
• Trade Republic review 2026
• Scalable Capital review 2026
• How to start investing in the Netherlands as an expat

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Capmap.eu is an independent comparison platform — we do not provide personal recommendations. Always verify current fees, rates, and regulations with the provider or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. Information was accurate at the time of writing but may have changed.