Forex Brokers Netherlands

Forex trading in the Netherlands gives you access to global currency markets with fast execution and potential for high leverage. From major pairs like EUR/USD to niche exotics, Dutch and EU-regulated brokers let you trade 24 hours a day, five days a week. This guide explains how it works, which brokers to trust in 2025, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

What Is Forex Trading and How It Works in the Netherlands

Forex trading—short for foreign exchange—is the act of buying and selling currencies to profit from exchange rate fluctuations. It’s the world’s largest financial market, with over $7 trillion traded daily. In the Netherlands, individual traders can access the market through regulated online brokers offering platforms like MetaTrader, cTrader, or proprietary web-based tools.

Unlike stock markets, the forex market is open 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday, with trading split across global sessions: Asia, Europe, and North America. You trade in currency pairs—such as EUR/USD, GBP/JPY, or USD/TRY—speculating on whether one currency will strengthen or weaken against another.

Dutch and EU residents typically trade via CFDs (Contracts for Difference), which let you speculate on price movements without owning the actual currencies. Most forex brokers in the Netherlands are regulated under MiFID II and passported into the country via licensing from Cyprus, Germany, or Ireland. They offer leveraged access to global FX markets, allowing traders to open larger positions with a smaller capital base—subject to ESMA restrictions.

Requirements and Eligibility

To trade forex in the Netherlands, you must meet basic legal and regulatory requirements. You don’t need to be a Dutch citizen, but you must have the right documents and financial setup to open a trading account with a licensed broker.

Key eligibility criteria

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Valid ID (passport or EU national ID)
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, rental contract)
• Tax identification number (BSN for Dutch residents, TIN for others)
• SEPA-compatible bank account
• Completion of KYC and trading experience questionnaire

Most brokers will also assess your knowledge of leveraged products. If you’re a beginner, your access may be limited to standard leverage or demo trading until you confirm understanding of the risks.

Expats and EU/EEA nationals living in the Netherlands can register with platforms like eToro, IG, or Plus500, as long as they pass identity and residency checks. Dutch regulation requires brokers to store client funds in segregated accounts, adding an extra layer of protection for all users.

How to Open a Forex Trading Account

Getting started with forex trading in the Netherlands is a fully online process. Most brokers allow you to open an account in less than 15 minutes, but full activation requires ID checks and regulatory approvals. Before you can place your first trade, you’ll need to complete a few critical steps.

Steps to get started:

• Choose a regulated forex broker
• Complete identity verification
• Submit tax and residency details
• Fill out the trading experience questionnaire
• Fund your account
• Open your first forex position

Choose a regulated forex broker

Start by selecting a broker licensed under MiFID II with EU passporting rights into the Netherlands. Look for low spreads, fast execution, strong reputation, and support for MetaTrader 4/5 or a clean mobile platform. eToro, IG, and Saxo Bank are among the top choices for Dutch users.

Complete identity verification

All brokers are required to run full KYC (Know Your Customer) checks. Upload a valid passport or EU ID, plus a recent proof of address (no older than 3 months). Most brokers automate this process and approve your documents within 1 business day.

Submit tax and residency details

Dutch residents must provide their BSN (Burgerservicenummer). Expats can use their foreign TIN. This ensures compliance with EU reporting standards and automatic exchange of tax information where applicable.

Fill out the trading experience questionnaire

Before you’re allowed to trade leveraged instruments like forex CFDs, brokers must assess your knowledge and risk tolerance. Expect questions about margin trading, volatility, stop-losses, and leverage. If you fail, you may be offered a demo account first.

Fund your account

Once approved, connect your SEPA bank account or use other supported methods like iDEAL, credit card, or PayPal. Minimum deposit varies—eToro starts at $50, Plus500 at €100, and Saxo Bank may require €2,000 or more.

Open your first forex position

Navigate to the trading platform, select a currency pair (e.g., EUR/USD), choose your position size (lot or micro-lot), set stop-loss/take-profit levels, and execute your trade. Most platforms also offer risk management tools and real-time market analysis to guide your entry.

Types of Forex Brokers in the Netherlands

Forex brokers differ not just in their interface or pricing—but also in how they execute your trades. Understanding the main broker models helps you choose a platform that aligns with your trading goals, whether you prioritize speed, pricing transparency, or protection from conflict of interest.

Overview of broker types

Broker Type	How Orders Are Executed	Typical Spreads	Best For	Examples
Market Maker	Takes the opposite side of your trade	Fixed or variable	Beginners, stable pricing	Plus500, IG
STP (Straight Through Processing)	Passes trades to external liquidity providers	Variable	Fast execution, mid-levels	FXCM, Pepperstone
ECN (Electronic Communication Network)	Aggregates prices from multiple banks	Tight (plus commission)	Experienced, scalpers	IC Markets, Saxo Bank
Multi-Asset Brokers	Combines forex with stocks, ETFs, crypto	Depends on asset	Casual or diversified traders	eToro, XTB

Market Maker

These brokers set their own bid/ask prices and may take the opposite side of your trade. While this sounds risky, most are well-capitalized and provide consistent pricing. They often offer user-friendly platforms and guaranteed stop-losses, which makes them ideal for new traders.

STP and ECN Brokers

These pass your orders directly to external liquidity providers or an aggregated interbank market. STP brokers typically avoid requotes and offer fairer execution. ECN brokers, often used by professionals, show real-time market depth and charge a small commission instead of widening the spread.

Multi-Asset Platforms

Some brokers offer forex alongside stocks, ETFs, indices, and crypto. These platforms are ideal for users who want flexibility and a single account for all asset types. eToro stands out here for offering commission-free stock trading and social copy trading alongside forex.

Forex Trading Costs and Spreads

Trading forex in the Netherlands comes with several types of costs—some visible, others hidden in the spread or overnight fees. To stay profitable, traders must understand how brokers charge for each position and how these fees vary across platforms.

The key components are:

• Spreads (the difference between bid and ask price)
• Trading commission (charged per lot on ECN/STP brokers)
• Swap fees (overnight interest on open positions)
• Currency conversion fees (when depositing/withdrawing in non-USD or EUR)
• Inactivity or withdrawal fees (platform-specific)

Forex broker cost comparison (2025)

Broker	EUR/USD Spread	Commission	Swap Fees	FX Conversion	Inactivity Fee	Notes
eToro	~1.0 pip	None	Medium	0.50%	$10/month after 12 mo	No commission, wide spreads
Plus500	~0.8–1.2 pips	None	Medium	Built-in	None	Market maker, simple UI
IG	~0.6 pips	None	Low	0.50%	€12/month after 2 years	Reliable pricing
Saxo Bank	~0.4 pips	€3–€6/lot	Low	~0.30%	€100/year	Premium ECN broker, high minimums
Pepperstone	~0.0–0.3 pips	$3.50/lot	Very low	~0.40%	None	ECN-style, MetaTrader support

Cost-saving tips:

• Use tight-spread brokers like Pepperstone or Saxo if you trade frequently
• Avoid swap-heavy strategies if you plan to hold positions overnight
• Keep accounts active to prevent inactivity charges
• If trading USD pairs, deposit in USD to minimize conversion fees
• eToro is ideal for casual traders who want no commission and a simple layout, but its FX conversion cost adds up if depositing in EUR

Even small spread differences can have a large impact over time—especially if you’re scalping or using high volume. Always compare total cost per trade, not just the advertised spread.

Currency Pairs and Instruments Available

Forex brokers in the Netherlands offer a wide range of trading instruments beyond just the major currency pairs. Depending on your broker, you can access everything from exotic FX markets to crypto pairs and commodity-based currencies.

Most platforms group forex instruments into three categories:

• Majors – Most liquid pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY
• Minors – Crosses like EUR/GBP, GBP/JPY, AUD/NZD
• Exotics – Volatile pairs like USD/TRY, EUR/ZAR, or USD/SEK

Instrument coverage by broker

Broker	Majors	Minors	Exotics	Crypto FX	Fractional Lots	Notes
eToro	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Broad multi-asset access
Plus500	✓	✓	✓	✓	✗	Focus on CFD pairs
IG	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Institutional-level range
Saxo Bank	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Supports rare FX and metals pairs
Pepperstone	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Best-in-class for active traders

Leverage and lot size

Most brokers offer micro-lots (0.01) for smaller traders and allow customization of position size. ESMA regulations cap leverage at 1:30 for retail clients in the Netherlands:

• 1:30 for major pairs
• 1:20 for minors and gold
• 1:10 or less for exotics and crypto

This protects against outsized losses but still allows meaningful position sizing even with modest capital.

Some brokers also offer CFDs on currency indices, e.g. the US Dollar Index (DXY), and commodity-linked FX pairs like AUD/CAD or NZD/USD.

Leverage and Risk Management

Leverage allows you to control larger positions with a smaller deposit, but it also magnifies risk. In the Netherlands, all forex brokers must follow ESMA regulations, which cap leverage for retail traders to prevent large and rapid losses.

Leverage limits under ESMA (2025):

• 1:30 – Major currency pairs (e.g. EUR/USD)
• 1:20 – Minor pairs (e.g. EUR/GBP, AUD/JPY)
• 1:10 – Exotics and high-volatility pairs
• 1:2 – Crypto pairs (if offered)

Brokers must implement margin call policies and stop-out mechanisms to protect both the trader and the broker. For example, if your equity falls below a certain threshold (e.g. 50% of required margin), your positions may be automatically closed.

Risk protection tools most brokers offer:

• Stop-loss orders – Auto-closes a position at a pre-defined loss
• Take-profit orders – Locks in profits at a set price
• Trailing stops – Dynamically adjusts stop-loss based on market movement
• Negative balance protection – Ensures you never owe more than you deposit
• Demo accounts – Let you practice with virtual funds

Brokers like eToro, IG, and Pepperstone all include these tools in their standard platforms. Saxo Bank, while more advanced, also enforces strict margin controls and risk alerts for professional clients.

Smart risk management is essential when using leverage. Even with negative balance protection, poor risk control can wipe out a small account in a few trades.

Taxes and Forex Trading in the Netherlands

Forex profits in the Netherlands are not taxed as capital gains or income. Instead, they fall under the Box 3 wealth tax system, which taxes your total assets—regardless of actual gains or losses.

If your total net assets exceed the annual tax-free allowance (heffingsvrij vermogen), which is €57,000 in 2025 for individuals and €114,000 for couples, you’ll pay tax on a deemed return based on asset size—not on actual trading performance.

Key points

• Forex trading profits are not directly taxed
• You report the total value of your trading account annually (as of Jan 1)
• No need to declare each trade or gain individually
• Losses cannot be deducted from income tax
• Applies whether you use a Dutch or EU-based broker

If you’re a professional trader or operate as a business, different tax rules (Box 1 or Box 2) may apply, but most retail traders remain under Box 3. Always consult a Dutch tax advisor if you trade large amounts or use multiple brokers.

Best Forex Brokers in the Netherlands 2025

Choosing the right forex broker depends on your trading style, experience level, and platform preferences. Some brokers cater to beginners with easy interfaces and copy trading, while others focus on tight spreads and advanced execution for professionals.

Best forex brokers by category:

• Best overall: Pepperstone – ECN execution, tight spreads, MetaTrader 4/5
• Best for beginners: eToro – No commissions, social trading, user-friendly
• Best regulated EU option: IG – Trusted brand, broad range, strong compliance
• Best for advanced traders: Saxo Bank – Pro tools, custom strategies, FX options
• Best commission-free: Plus500 – No trading commission, clean mobile platform

Each of these brokers is fully licensed under MiFID II and legally available to retail clients in the Netherlands. Most support EUR deposits, negative balance protection, and fast onboarding with digital verification.

If you’re starting out, eToro offers a solid entry point with zero commissions, copy trading features, and fractional lot sizes. For active traders, Pepperstone delivers faster execution, raw spreads, and deep liquidity access.

How to Choose the Right Forex Broker

Selecting the best forex broker in the Netherlands isn’t just about finding the lowest spread. You need to consider how you trade, which tools you need, and how much protection and support the platform offers.

Regulation and safety
Always choose a broker licensed under MiFID II, ideally listed in the AFM register. This ensures compliance with EU standards and access to compensation schemes.

Spreads and commissions
If you trade frequently, every pip counts. ECN brokers like Pepperstone and Saxo Bank offer raw spreads plus a fixed commission, while eToro and Plus500 include their fee in a slightly wider spread.

Leverage and margin terms
Retail traders are limited by ESMA caps, but different brokers handle margin calls and stop-outs differently. Check if they offer customizable leverage or tiered margin rates.

Platform and tools
Prefer MetaTrader? Need web-based simplicity? Platforms range from professional suites (Saxo, MT5) to beginner-friendly dashboards (eToro, Plus500). Test them via demo accounts before committing.

Instrument range
If you want to trade more than just EUR/USD, ensure the broker supports minors, exotics, and even crypto-FX or commodities. Some brokers, like IG, offer 80+ pairs.

Deposits, withdrawals, and base currency
Using a EUR-based platform can save you money on conversion. Also, look for free withdrawals and multiple funding options like iDEAL, bank transfer, or credit card.

Customer support and language
For expats, 24/5 English-language support and a clean user interface are essential. Most top brokers offer multilingual service and live chat.

Regulation and Client Fund Protection

All forex brokers serving clients in the Netherlands must comply with EU-wide financial regulations under MiFID II. Whether the broker is based in Amsterdam, Cyprus, or Germany, they must meet strict standards for transparency, capital reserves, and client fund segregation.

Regulatory bodies:

• AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten) – Oversees conduct and licensing in the Netherlands
• DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank) – Supervises systemic risk and financial soundness
• Home country regulators – Like CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin (Germany), or FCA (UK for legacy providers)

Brokers passported into the Dutch market via the AFM register must clearly list their services, fee structure, and provide suitable investor protections.

Investor protection schemes:

• Investor Compensation Schemes (ICS):
  • Dutch brokers: Up to €20,000 via Dutch Beleggerscompensatiestelsel
  • EU brokers: Coverage from their home state (e.g. CySEC: €20,000, BaFin: €20,000)
• Deposit Guarantee Schemes (DGS):
  • Protect cash held at licensed banks up to €100,000
• Segregated client funds:
  • Required by all MiFID II brokers—ensures your funds are not used for company operations
• Negative balance protection:
  • Mandatory for EU retail accounts—your losses can’t exceed your deposit

These protections help ensure that, even if your broker collapses or becomes insolvent, your trading capital and open positions are not automatically lost.