eToro Review

eToro is one of the most recognised trading platforms in Europe, known for its commission-free stock trading, beginner-friendly interface, and wide access to crypto, ETFs, and CFDs. But how well does it perform for users based in the Netherlands? This review looks at the key features, costs, and limitations that investors in the Dutch market should be aware of.

From regulation to payment options, we evaluate whether eToro is a strong choice for retail traders and investors in the Netherlands in 2025.

Is eToro Available in the Netherlands?

Yes. Users in the Netherlands can open an account through eToro (Europe) Ltd., which is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). This gives eToro the legal right to serve all EU and EEA countries under MiFID II passporting rules.

Although eToro is not licensed by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), it still operates within the legal framework of EU financial services. Investor protections include segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to a €20,000 investor compensation scheme in case of broker insolvency.

Account Setup and Local Considerations

All eToro accounts are denominated in USD, meaning users in the Netherlands will incur currency conversion fees when depositing or withdrawing in euros. eToro does not currently support iDEAL, which is a commonly used payment method in the Netherlands.

Available funding methods include bank transfer, credit card, PayPal, and Sofort. The minimum deposit is $50, and all withdrawals carry a $5 fee. Withdrawal times typically range from 1 to 3 business days, depending on the method used.

Fees and Trading Costs

One of eToro’s biggest draws is its commission-free trading on real stocks and ETFs — a major benefit for long-term investors in the Netherlands. However, other cost elements do apply, especially for CFD trading, withdrawals, and currency exchange.

eToro’s fee structure is transparent but contains a few important details users in the Netherlands should factor in:

Fee Type	Cost	Notes
Stock trading	$0	Commission-free for real, unleveraged positions
ETF trading	$0	Same as above
CFD trading	Built into spread	Spreads vary by asset; higher than some competitors
Forex spread (EUR/USD)	~1.0 pips	No additional commission
Crypto trading fee	1%	On top of bid/ask spread
Withdrawal fee	$5	Flat fee per transaction
Inactivity fee	$10/month	After 12 months of no login activity
Currency conversion	Varies (spread-based)	EUR deposits/withdrawals converted to USD

While real stock and ETF trades are cost-efficient, CFDs and crypto are relatively expensive. Currency conversion also affects all users depositing in EUR, which applies to most investors in the Netherlands.

Asset Selection

eToro offers access to a broad range of assets, making it suitable for users in the Netherlands who want to invest across different markets. The platform covers real stocks and ETFs, CFDs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and indices. However, it does not support options, futures, or mutual funds.

In total, users can trade:

• 3,000+ stocks from 17 global exchanges (including Euronext Amsterdam)
• 300+ ETFs, commission-free when unleveraged
• 70+ cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, XRP, and more
• Dozens of indices and commodities via CFDs
• Major forex pairs, also via CFDs

Users in the Netherlands can buy real stocks and ETFs without leverage — these are not CFDs and do not incur overnight fees. If leverage is applied, the position becomes a CFD, and different costs and risk profiles apply.

A unique strength of eToro is the availability of fractional shares, allowing users to invest small amounts in high-priced stocks like Amazon or Tesla — a practical option for Dutch retail investors starting with modest capital.

Overall, eToro’s product offering is well-suited to diversified investing, especially in crypto and international equities, but may fall short for those looking to trade niche instruments or hedge with derivatives.

Regulation and Safety

eToro operates in the Netherlands through its European entity, eToro (Europe) Ltd., which is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 109/10. This allows it to offer services legally throughout the EU under MiFID II passporting.

For users in the Netherlands, this regulatory setup means:

• Investor protection up to €20,000 through the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF)
• Negative balance protection on all accounts
• Client funds are held in segregated accounts with tier-1 banks
• SSL encryption and two-step login for platform security

While eToro is not regulated by the Dutch AFM, it complies with all EU-level financial requirements. It is also publicly listed on the NASDAQ, adding an extra layer of transparency.

It’s important to note that eToro does not have a banking license, which means user funds are not protected by the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme. However, because the platform does not use client funds for its own operations, and due to its segregation of funds, the risk exposure remains low for standard retail users.

Account Opening and Payments

Opening an account with eToro from the Netherlands is straightforward and fully online. The process is fast — most users are verified within 24 hours — and there’s no paperwork beyond a copy of ID and proof of address.

Key facts:

• Minimum deposit: $50
• Verification: Passport or national ID + utility bill or bank statement
• KYC compliance: In line with EU AML regulations

For payments, eToro supports several methods that are accessible to users in the Netherlands:

• Bank transfer (SEPA)
• Credit/debit card
• PayPal
• Sofort/Klarna

However, iDEAL is not supported, which may be an inconvenience for users accustomed to Dutch payment norms.

All accounts are in USD, so any deposit in euros will be automatically converted, incurring a currency conversion spread. The same applies when withdrawing. eToro charges a $5 withdrawal fee, and processing time typically ranges from 1–3 business days depending on the payment method.

Overall, the process is smooth, but the lack of local EUR account support and no iDEAL option are notable drawbacks for Dutch users.

Pros and Cons

Pros
✔ Commission-free stock and ETF trading
✔ Wide range of crypto assets
✔ CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios
✔ Fast and fully digital account opening
✔ Regulated within the EU (CySEC)
✔ Listed on NASDAQ for transparency

Cons
✖ $5 withdrawal fee
✖ EUR deposits converted to USD (conversion fee applies)
✖ No iDEAL payment option
✖ Limited advanced trading tools
✖ Not regulated by Dutch AFM