Saxo Bank Review

Saxo Bank is a full-service broker with deep European roots and a long-standing reputation for professional-grade trading tools. While based in Denmark, Saxo has built a strong presence in the Netherlands, offering a wide range of global assets, low spreads on forex, and robust platforms suited to active traders. But how well does it serve Dutch investors in 2025?

This review breaks down the fees, product range, platforms, and key pros and cons of using Saxo Bank as your broker in the Netherlands—especially if you’re looking for a premium alternative to app-based investing.

Is Saxo Bank Available in the Netherlands?

Yes. Saxo Bank is fully accessible to residents of the Netherlands. The broker operates under its Danish banking license and is supervised by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA), with passporting rights across the EU under MiFID II. Dutch investors can open accounts with no restrictions and benefit from full EU-regulated investor protection.

Client funds are protected under the EU Deposit Guarantee Scheme (€100,000 for cash) and the Investor Compensation Scheme (€20,000 for securities). All services are offered under the Saxo Bank A/S entity, which maintains operational branches across multiple European countries, including a dedicated interface and support for Dutch clients.

Saxo is also one of the few brokers in Europe offering bank-level security, multi-currency accounts, and institutional-grade trading tools, making it a strong choice for experienced investors based in the Netherlands.

Fees and Pricing Structure

Saxo Bank’s fee model is highly competitive for active traders but less beginner-friendly due to its tiered pricing, custody fees, and relatively high charges on certain derivatives. That said, Dutch investors benefit from transparent cost disclosures, tight forex spreads, and low stock commissions, especially on U.S. and EU equities.

Unlike commission-free brokers, Saxo separates core trading costs and offers volume-based pricing tiers: Classic, Platinum, and VIP. Most users start with the Classic tier unless they meet higher deposit or volume requirements.

Here’s a breakdown of common fees for Dutch clients (Classic tier):

Fee Type	Cost (Classic)	Notes
U.S. stocks	0.08% (min. $1)	VIP pricing down to 0.03%
EU stocks/ETFs	~0.10% (min. €2–3)	Varies by exchange
Forex trading	~0.9 pips (EUR/USD)	Tight spreads; better on Platinum/VIP
Options	$2 per contract	VIP: as low as $0.75
Futures	$3 per contract	Higher than industry average
Custody fee	0.15% p.a. (min. €5/month)	Waived via securities lending (opt-in)
Inactivity	€0	No inactivity charges
Withdrawal	€0	Free SEPA and international bank withdrawals
Deposit (bank/card)	Free	No fees on EUR deposits via SEPA or card
Currency conversion	Spread-based	Multi-currency accounts available to reduce conversion costs

For stock and forex traders, Saxo’s low commissions and tight spreads offer excellent value. However, futures, options, and custody costs can add up—especially for passive or infrequent users.

Platform Experience and Usability

Saxo Bank sets itself apart with institutional-level trading platforms that cater to experienced investors. Dutch clients get access to two primary interfaces: SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO.

SaxoTraderGO is the default platform, accessible via web and mobile. It strikes a balance between power and usability, offering advanced charting, custom watchlists, integrated news feeds, and support for all asset classes. The mobile app mirrors the web interface, with features like biometric login, price alerts, and advanced order types—including limit, stop, OCO, and trailing stops.

SaxoTraderPRO is a downloadable desktop terminal designed for professionals. It supports multi-screen trading, custom layout design, real-time Level 2 market data, and access to algorithmic order types. This platform is ideal for high-frequency traders and those managing multiple portfolios.

Notable features across platforms:

• Real-time news and economic calendar
• Advanced charting with 50+ indicators
• Customizable dashboards and layouts
• Access to in-depth fundamental data and earnings reports
• Dutch language interface available
• Platform-stored preferences across devices

While powerful, the platforms may feel overwhelming for beginners. Navigation is not as minimal as with app-based brokers like eToro or Trade Republic. However, for active Dutch investors who value full control, Saxo’s tools are among the most comprehensive in Europe.

Product Range and Asset Access

Saxo Bank offers one of the broadest investment selections available to retail clients in the Netherlands, covering over 60,000 instruments across global markets. Unlike minimalist platforms focused solely on stocks or ETFs, Saxo supports everything from bonds and currencies to derivatives and crypto-linked ETPs.

Dutch investors can access:

• Stocks and ETFs from 50+ global exchanges, including AEX, XETRA, NASDAQ, NYSE, and LSE
• Over 5,900 bonds, including sovereign, municipal, and corporate issues
• Forex trading with 190+ currency pairs and institutional-grade spreads
• CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities, and more
• Options and futures on 20+ global derivatives exchanges
• Crypto ETPs (not direct spot crypto) – such as Bitcoin and Ethereum-linked products
• SaxoSelect portfolios – pre-built, risk-adjusted strategies with automatic rebalancing
• Fractional shares on select markets, ideal for building diversified portfolios with lower capital

The sheer range makes Saxo suitable for multi-asset traders, fixed-income investors, and portfolio builders looking to access global markets from a single account. However, direct crypto trading is not available—only through exchange-traded products.

For Dutch residents interested in diversification beyond standard equity investing, Saxo offers more tools and access than nearly any competitor in the region.

Security, Regulation, and Investor Protection

Saxo Bank is a licensed European bank and one of the most tightly regulated brokers operating in the Netherlands. It is headquartered in Denmark and supervised by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA), with additional regulation from financial authorities in the UK, Singapore, Switzerland, and other jurisdictions.

For Dutch clients, this means full compliance under MiFID II, and access to standard EU investor protection schemes, including:

• €100,000 protection for cash under the EU Deposit Guarantee Scheme
• €20,000 protection for securities under the Investor Compensation Scheme
• Negative balance protection for retail clients, ensuring you can’t lose more than your deposit
• Regular financial reporting and operational transparency, even though Saxo is not publicly listed

Data security is also prioritized. All platforms support two-factor authentication (2FA), secure bank-grade encryption, and segregated client accounts. Saxo is also one of the few brokers to publish detailed financial statements, which adds a further layer of credibility and trust.

With more than 30 years of operating history and a strong reputation across Europe and Asia, Saxo is considered a safe and reliable choice for Dutch investors—particularly those looking for a regulated, bank-grade environment to trade in global markets.

Who Is Saxo Bank Best For?

Saxo Bank is best suited for experienced investors, active traders, and professionals who want access to global markets, advanced tools, and a multi-asset product range. Its powerful platforms, tight spreads on forex, and low stock commissions make it attractive to those who trade frequently or manage diversified portfolios.

However, it’s less ideal for beginners or passive investors due to:

• A complex fee structure with custody charges, minimum commissions, and pricing tiers
• No demo account, which can make onboarding harder for first-time users
• Limited crypto options, only available via ETPs (not direct spot trading)
• A steeper learning curve on SaxoTraderGO and PRO compared to app-based brokers

That said, for Dutch investors who want professional-level infrastructure, full asset access, and transparent EU regulation, Saxo is one of the strongest brokers available in 2025.

Pros and Cons

Pros
✔ Access to 60,000+ global instruments including stocks, forex, bonds, futures, and options
✔ Low commissions on stocks (from 0.08%) and tight spreads on major forex pairs
✔ Professional trading platforms: SaxoTraderGO (web/mobile) and SaxoTraderPRO (desktop)
✔ Regulated EU bank with €100,000 deposit and €20,000 investor protection
✔ Multi-currency accounts and fractional share investing
✔ Interest on uninvested cash (up to 1.2% for EUR holdings)
✔ No inactivity or withdrawal fees

Cons
✖ Custody fee of 0.15% p.a. for Classic accounts (min. €5/month)
✖ High contract fees for futures and options
✖ Interface complexity makes it unsuitable for beginners
✖ Crypto trading limited to ETPs (no spot buying or wallets)
✖ No demo account or paper trading option
✖ No 24/7 customer support