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Written By
Jemma Grist
Written By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
» Jemma Grist Profile Page
Fact Checked By
James Barra
Fact Checked By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks.James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
» James Barra Profile Page
Updated
Mar 2, 2024
The best day trading brokers in Europe have superior charting platforms, fast execution, excellent pricing, and are normally authorized by at least one of the 25+ regulators adhering to the directives established by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Many also offer EUR accounts for convenient deposits and provide access to local stock markets, such as the Euronext, and currency pairs like the EUR/USD.
Discover the best brokers for day trading in Europe. All our recommended platforms have been tested by our European experts.
Top 5 Platforms For Day Trading In Europe
After thoroughly testing hundreds of brokers, these 5 emerge as the best platforms for day traders:
- AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit.
- XTB - XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, commission-free pricing, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform.
- CMC Markets - With advanced charting tools and an extensive range of tradable CFDs, including an almost unrivalled selection of currencies and custom indices, CMC Markets provides a fantastic online platform for traders of all levels.
- Eightcap - Eightcap is great for day traders familiar with MT4 and MT5 and looking to trade forex and CFDs in a secure environment. The brand is also a great pick for crypto traders with 100+ derivatives, a sophisticated market scanner, plus Bitcoin and Tether deposits.
- FXCC - FXCC continues to prove itself an excellent option for forex day traders with an extensive range of 70+ currency pairs, ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips during testing, and high leverage up to 1:500 in the ECN XL account.
Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in Europe 2024 Comparison
| Broker | Regulated in Europe | EUR Account | Minimum Deposit | Markets | Platforms | Leverage | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | Visit |
| | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs | xStation | 1:30 | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | $0 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting | Web, MT4 | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | Visit |
| | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities | MT4, MT5, TradingView | 1:30 | Visit |
| | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | MT4 | 1:500 | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | £0 | Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto, Bonds, Interest Rates, ETFs, Options, Spread Betting | Spreadex Platform, TradingView | 1:30 | Visit |
| | ✔ | ✔ | $0 | CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto(only Pro clients), Spread Betting | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | $0 | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Trader Workstation (TWS), Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral | 1:50 | Visit |
| | ✔ | ✔ | $5 | Forex, Stock CFDs, Turbo Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Precious Metals, Energies, Shares, Crypto, Futures | MT4, MT5 | 1:30 | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | $0 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Bonds | MT4, TradingView, TradingCentral | 1:30 (Retail), 1:50 (Accredited Investor), 1:200 (Sophisticated Investor), 1:300 (Wholesale Investor), 1:400 (Professional Trader). Varies with jurisdiction. | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto | MT4, MT5 | 1:500 | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | $1 | Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures | MT4, MT5 | 1:30 for retail clients, 1:500 for professional | Visit |
| | - | - | £0 | Stocks, Funds, Trusts, ETFs, Bonds, Gilts, VCTs | Own | - | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | $20 | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | MT4 | 1:1000 | Visit |
| | - | ✔ | $0 | Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only) | MT4 | 1:500 (entity dependent) | Visit |
#1 - AvaTrade
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Review
Why We Chose AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FRSA, BVI, ADGM
- Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Min. Deposit: $100
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Pros
- Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs), as well as the AvaSocial and DupliTrade tools
- Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees
- WebTrader is well-suited to beginners and features a strong suite of technical analysis tools and market research for day traders
Cons
- There is no ECN account with raw spreads
- There’s an above-average $50 inactivity fee after three months, though this won't impact active day traders
- Traders from the US are not accepted
Visit AvaTrade
#2 - XTB
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Review
Why We Chose XTB
Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB now serves more than 935,000 clients. The forex and CFD broker combines a heavily regulated trading environment with an extensive selection of 5,600+ assets and a commitment to trader satisfaction, featuring an intuitive in-house platform with superb tools to support aspiring day traders.
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs
- Regulator: FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC
- Platforms: xStation
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30
Pros
- With over 5,600 instruments across forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, including CFDs, share dealing and more recently Investment Plans, XTB caters to both short-term traders and longer-term investors.
- XTB offers fast withdrawals with same-day payments if requested before 1 pm, ensuring day traders have quick access to their funds.
- Opening an XTB account is a hassle-free, entirely online process that takes just a few minutes, making the entry into day trading smooth for new traders.
Cons
- The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
- XTB does not offer a raw spread account, which is becoming increasingly common among competitors like Pepperstone, and may disappoint day traders looking for the tightest spreads.
- XTB discontinued support for MT4, limiting traders to its proprietary platform, xStation, potentially deterring advanced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader suite.
Visit XTB
#3 - CMC Markets
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Review
Why We Chose CMC Markets
Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a respected broker listed on the London Stock Exchange and authorized by several tier-one regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO. More than 1 million traders from around the world have signed up with the multi-award winning brokerage.
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA
- Platforms: Web, MT4
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Pros
- The brokerage continues to stand out with its wide range of value-add resources, including pattern recognition scanners, webinars, tutorials, news feeds, and research from respected sources like Morningstar.
- CMC offers excellent pricing, including tight spreads and low trading fees for all but stock CFDs. The Alpha scheme also offers perks for high-volume traders with up to 28.6% discounts on spreads.
- CMC Markets is heavily regulated by reputable financial authorities and maintains its stellar reputation, helping to ensure a secure and trustworthy trading environment.
Cons
- Despite improvements, the web platform still requires enhancements to make it as intuitive to trade on as software from rivals like IG.
- Trading stock CFDs incurs a relatively high commission, especially compared to the cheapest brokers like IC Markets.
- An inactivity fee of $10 per month is applied after 12 months of inactivity, which may deter casual investors.
Visit CMC Markets
#4 - Eightcap
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Review
Why We Chose Eightcap
Eightcap have a global presence and are FCA regulated. They boast low day trading fees and are the highest rated brand by TradingView users - and users can trade directly from TradingView. New traders can also sign up for a live account in just a few minutes with £100.
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, SCB
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Min. Deposit: $100
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30
Pros
- AI-powered economic calendar with top-level insights, in partnership with Acuity
- Flexible and fee-free payment methods including cryptocurrencies
- 100+ crypto derivatives are available for global clients, which is more than most brokers, including crypto crosses and indices
Cons
- There are several frustrating jurisdictional restrictions - for example, the Crypto Crusher tool is not available for UK or Australian clients
- The demo account can only be extended upon request
- There are only four commodities available, which may disappoint experienced day traders looking to diversify their portfolios
Visit Eightcap
#5 - FXCC
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Review
Why We Chose FXCC
FXCC is an established broker that’s been offering low-cost online trading since 2010. Registered in Nevis and regulated by the CySEC, it stands out for its ECN trading conditions, no minimum deposit and smooth account opening that takes less than 5 minutes.
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Regulator: CySEC
- Platforms: MT4
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:500
Pros
- The free education section, including the 'Traders Corner' blog, offers a large selection of materials that will serve all experience levels
- There are no deposit fees except industry-standard mining charges on cryptos, which is advantageous for active traders
- FXCC is trusted and licensed by the CySEC, a top-tier European regulator offering high standards of safeguarding
Cons
- FXCC’s single platform offering is a major drawback compared to many alternatives, notably AvaTrade which provides 5 platforms to suit different trader preferences
- High withdrawal fees may catch out unsuspecting traders, including a significant $45 charge for bank wire payments
- There is a threadbare selection of research tools like Trading Central and Autochartist, value-add features available at category leaders like IG
Visit FXCC
Choosing A Day Trading Broker In Europe
Based on our extensive experience in the day trading industry, there are several factors to consider:
Trust
Choose a trusted day trading broker to keep your funds safe.
Online trading scams are rife in Europe, with fraudsters adopting increasingly aggressive and brazen methods to target victims. In recent years, scammers have even impersonated representatives of the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (CySEC), promising compensation to traders in return for fees.
This is why we verify the regulatory status of brokers, checking whether they are licensed by any of the 25+ reputable regulators that comply with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), and its update MiFID II, set by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), designed to safeguard retail traders.
💡
ESMA lists all member states and provides links to respective regulators so you can check whether a broker is authorized.
- IC Markets emerges as one of the most trusted brokers in Europe, with authorization from the CySEC, over 17 years in the industry, and multiple awards. We’ve also traded at IC Markets using real money and never encountered withdrawal issues.
Investment Offering
Choose a day trading broker with a wide range of trading opportunities.
For many European traders, it will be important to have access to local financial markets, providing opportunities to speculate on regional events and assets.
That’s why we look for access to stock markets like Euronext, the largest stock exchange in the region which connects seven major economies, including France, Italy and the Netherlands.
We also look for currency pairs involving the Euro, such as the EUR/USD, EUR/GBP and EUR/AUD, plus popular commodities, including those listed on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Europe’s most recognized commodity marketplace.
In addition, we consider whether brokers offer contracts for difference (CFDs), a popular financial product with short-term traders that allows you to go long or short without taking ownership of the underlying asset, such as shares in LVMH.
- AvaTrade excels here, with a wide range of trading opportunities spanning CFDs, stocks, forex, commodities, indices, bonds, cryptos and ETFs, including European treasuries and indices like the DAX, CAC and IBEX.
Trading Fees
Choose a broker with low trading fees.
This is especially important for day traders because frequent trading amplifies the impact of fees on overall profitability.
That’s why we record and evaluate the fees you can expect to incur making short-term trades, including spreads on popular markets in Europe like the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP, as well as any inactivity fees that can penalize casual traders.
This allows us to assign an overall ‘Fees & Costs’ score that helps us pinpoint the cheapest brokers for day traders.
- Pepperstone maintains its position as one of the best day trading brokers with excellent pricing, especially if you opt for the Razor account with spreads from 0.0 pips and qualify for rebates through the Active Trader program. There are also zero deposit fees, withdrawal charges or inactivity penalties.
Order Execution
Choose a day trading broker with fast and reliable order execution.
If you’re day trading in volatile markets, such as commodities, being able to enter and exit the market at the desired price can be the difference between profit and loss.
We consider execution speeds of <100 milliseconds fast, helping to prevent slippage – the difference between the expected price and the execution price.
However, we also consider execution quality, encompassing factors like price and probability of execution, which together can help ensure you secure optimal trades.
- Deriv continues to deliver favorable conditions for active day traders, with execution speeds averaging 50 milliseconds plus superior, uninterrupted price feeds.
Leverage Trading
Choose a day trading broker with transparent leverage and margin conditions.
Leverage trading allows you to open larger positions than you would otherwise be able to with your capital. Essentially, for a small outlay, known as margin, you can multiply your buying power and profits (or losses).
The ESMA introduced industry-wide limits on leverage offered to retail traders in 2018. The maximum available through EU-regulated entities is 1:30 for major currency pairs, though lower limits are imposed on more volatile assets, such as commodities (1:10) and cryptocurrencies (1:2).
While 1:30 is a safer limit than the very high leverage available at offshore brokers, the risk of heavy losses is still present.I recommend that beginners, in particular, approach leverage trading with caution and take a proactive approach to risk management.
Jemma Grist
Author
We check whether leverage trading is available as part of our exhaustive review process. We also make sure brokers are transparent about margin requirements, including when they will close out your positions if you fail to meet a margin call (a demand by your broker to deposit additional funds to cover potential losses).
- IG stands out as an excellent option for trading with leverage, providinga full breakdown of the margin required to open a position, along with the leverage equivalent for each tradable asset. It also complies with ESMA’s limits on providing leverage up to 1:30 for traders in Europe.
Charting Platforms
Choose a day trading broker with a user-friendly and powerful charting platform.
Short-term traders typically rely on technical analysis to identify and capitalize on market opportunities, more so than longer-term investors who often use fundamental analysis. As a result, it’s important to find an excellent charting platform.
That’s why we personally test platforms where possible to assess their suitability for day traders, weighing the design and ease of use with the suite of technical indicators, drawing tools, chart types and other features.
Our analysis of hundreds of brokers shows the most widely available third-party platforms are MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView. These all offer excellent charting packages for intermediate and advanced traders.
However, our tests also show that the proprietary software offered by some brokers can provide a more user-friendly toolkit for newer traders, often featuring a more intuitive workspace.
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Tip: Make use of demo accounts to test a charting platform before depositing funds and day trading with real money.
- Forex.com continues to offer a fantastic selection of charting tools, from MT4, MT5 and TradingView to insights from AutoChartist and TradingCentral, which can help day traders discover opportunities.
Methodology
We used our extensive database of day trading brokers, selecting those accepting European traders and ranked them by their overall rating from our reviews, which focus on several factors, including:
- Whether they are trusted and regulated by a credible authority, such as the CySEC.
- Whether they provide access to a good range of tradable assets, such as European stocks.
- Whether they offer low fees for day traders, such as tight spreads on EUR/USD.
- Whether they support user-friendly and powerful charting platforms, such as MT4.
- Whether they offer fast and reliable order execution.
- Whether they are transparent about leverage trading.
FAQ
How Much Money Do I Need To Start Day Trading In Europe?
The vast majority of platforms offer an accessible account minimum of <€250. However, some stand out with no minimum deposit, notably Pepperstone, OANDA and City Index, making them attractive for day traders on a budget.
Who Regulates Day Trading Platforms In Europe?
Over 25 European regulators should adhere to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), established by the European Securities Markets Authority (ESMA), to offer products suitably for day trading, including forex and CFDs.
The Cyprus Securities & Exchange (CySEC) oversees the largest number of brokers accepting day traders in Europe.
Which Is The Best Broker For Day Trading In Europe?
Use our list of the best day trading platforms and brokers in Europe to find the right provider for your needs. Most of our top-rated platforms are regulated in Europe, support accounts in EUR, and offer access to regional financial markets.
Article Sources
- European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
- Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID)
- Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
- ESMA - Check Whether A Broker Is Regulated
- Euronext Stock Exchange
- Finance Feeds CySEC Trading Scam
The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com
