DEGIRO built its reputation on low trading costs, but buy-and-hold ETF investors need to know where those savings hold up over 2026 and where they quietly erode. This guide breaks down what matters for a long-term ETF portfolio on DEGIRO, where it wins, and where a different platform fits better.
- DEGIRO ETF investing suits buy-and-hold portfolios built on its core selection funds — Buy for cost-conscious long-term investors.
- Custody fees apply per exchange in 2026, so consolidating ETFs on fewer exchanges cuts your annual cost.
- DEGIRO is regulated by the Dutch AFM and passported across 14 European markets under MiFID rules.
- Pair DEGIRO with a cash-focused platform like Trade Republic if you want interest on money waiting to be invested.
Why this matters
Most broker reviews compare headline trading fees and stop there. For a long-term ETF investor, the real cost sits in custody charges, exchange connectivity fees, and how many separate funds you end up holding across different markets.
DEGIRO's core selection lets you trade a defined list of ETFs commission-free once per month, per fund. That's a strong deal if your portfolio is built around two or three funds you top up monthly. It stops being a deal the moment you trade more often or scatter your holdings across exchanges DEGIRO charges separately for.
A site comparing 20+ regulated platforms across 14 European markets can show you exactly where that line sits — compare regulated European brokers before committing capital to any single one.
Who this is for
This guide is for investors running a buy-and-hold ETF strategy — monthly contributions into a small number of index funds, held for years, not traded around market news. If you're day-trading, options-trading, or picking individual stocks, DEGIRO's ETF-specific advantages barely apply to you and a different platform likely fits better.
What to look for in DEGIRO for long-term ETF investing
Core selection fit
Check whether the ETFs you actually want to hold — a global equity tracker, a European bond fund, an emerging markets fund — sit inside DEGIRO's core selection list. If they don't, you're paying a per-trade commission every time you buy, which changes the math on monthly contributions fast.
Custody and connectivity fees
DEGIRO layers a yearly exchange connectivity fee on top of trading costs, charged per exchange you hold assets on. Two ETFs on the same exchange cost less to maintain than two ETFs spread across two exchanges — consolidate where you can.
Regulatory coverage
DEGIRO operates under Dutch AFM regulation and is passported across the EU under MiFID II, which is why it's available in most of the 14 European markets this comparison covers. That passporting matters if you move country within the EU and want to keep the same brokerage relationship.
Savings plan automation
A true buy-and-hold strategy runs on autopilot. Confirm DEGIRO's automatic investment plan actually covers your target core-selection ETFs on the schedule you want — monthly is standard, but not every fund on the list supports it the same way.
Currency exposure
Holding US-dollar or GBP-denominated ETFs alongside euro-denominated ones adds currency conversion costs on every contribution. For a long-term holder, that's a recurring drag worth checking before you build the portfolio, not after.
Tax reporting for your country
DEGIRO doesn't issue country-specific tax statements the way some domestic brokers do. If you're in Germany and need Vorabpauschale-ready documentation, or in another market with similar advance-tax rules, factor in the extra reconciliation work.
Find the right broker for your ETF plan
Compare fees and country availability across 20+ regulated platforms.
Top picks for long-term ETF investors
DEGIRO — the cost-conscious core pick
One free trade per month per core-selection ETF is the single biggest lever for a two-to-three-fund portfolio. The catch is the per-exchange connectivity fee, which rewards investors who keep their holdings concentrated. Regulated by the Dutch AFM and passported across the EU in 2026, DEGIRO fits an investor contributing monthly to a small, fixed set of funds. Verdict: Buy for concentrated, monthly-contribution ETF portfolios.
A broader European ETF broker — the diversification pick
If your target ETFs span multiple exchanges or currencies, a platform built around wider ETF broker coverage for European investors can avoid the per-exchange fee stacking that DEGIRO applies. This suits investors holding five or more funds across different domiciles. Verdict: Consider if your portfolio already spans several exchanges.
A Germany-focused alternative — the local-support pick
German residents who want a platform with local tax documentation and domestic customer support should weigh a best online broker in Germany option against DEGIRO's Dutch-based model. The trade-off is usually a slightly different fee structure in exchange for country-specific reporting. Verdict: Consider for investors who want German-language support and local tax paperwork handled for them.
A cash-parking companion — not a replacement
Long-term ETF investors still hold cash between contributions. Pairing DEGIRO with Trade Republic for cash savings and interest lets that idle balance earn interest while you wait for the next monthly buy, rather than sitting flat in a settlement account. Verdict: Buy as a companion account, not as a substitute for your ETF broker.
“If you trade more than one core-selection ETF a month, DEGIRO's fee edge on that fund disappears.”
What to avoid
- Chasing every ETF outside the core selection. A fund that looks 0.05% cheaper in ongoing charges isn't worth it if it costs a full commission on every monthly buy.
- Spreading four funds across four exchanges. The connectivity fees stack per exchange, not per fund, so concentration beats diversification for cost purposes on DEGIRO specifically.
- Assuming DEGIRO handles your local tax filing. It doesn't produce country-specific statements the way some domestic brokers do — budget time for reconciliation, especially around German Vorabpauschale rules or similar regimes elsewhere in the EU.
Verdict comparison
| Platform | Best for | Fee shape | Regulator | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEGIRO | Concentrated, monthly ETF buying | Free core-selection trade/month + per-exchange custody fee | AFM (Netherlands), EU-passported | Buy |
| Broader ETF broker | Multi-exchange, diversified holdings | Trading fee, fewer exchange surcharges | Varies by country | Consider |
| Germany-focused broker | German residents wanting local support | Flat or tiered fee | BaFin | Consider |
| Trade Republic | Parking cash between contributions | Interest on cash balance | BaFin | Buy as companion |
FAQ
Is DEGIRO good for long-term ETF investing in 2026?
Yes, for portfolios built around DEGIRO's core selection ETFs bought monthly. The free-trade allowance on those funds makes it one of the cheaper options for a concentrated, buy-and-hold strategy in 2026.
What is DEGIRO's core selection?
It's a defined list of ETFs you can trade once per month per fund without a commission. Funds outside that list carry a standard trading fee on every purchase.
Does DEGIRO charge custody fees?
DEGIRO charges a yearly connectivity fee per exchange you hold assets on, separate from trading commissions. Holding fewer exchanges keeps this cost down.
Is DEGIRO regulated in Europe?
DEGIRO is regulated by the Dutch AFM and operates under MiFID II passporting, which is why it's available across most of the 14 European markets it serves.
Is DEGIRO better than Trade Republic for ETF investing?
They serve different jobs: DEGIRO is built for concentrated ETF trading with its core selection, while Trade Republic pairs well as a cash-holding account that pays interest between contributions.
Can I run an automatic ETF savings plan on DEGIRO?
DEGIRO supports automated investment plans for eligible core-selection ETFs, letting you schedule monthly contributions without manual orders.
Does DEGIRO handle tax reporting for Germany or other countries?
No, DEGIRO does not issue country-specific tax statements. Investors in markets with advance-tax rules, such as Germany's Vorabpauschale, need to reconcile this separately.
How many exchanges should I hold ETFs on with DEGIRO?
Fewer is cheaper. Because connectivity fees apply per exchange, consolidating your holdings onto one or two exchanges keeps annual custody costs down.
One last thing
The detail investors miss most often: DEGIRO's free-trade allowance resets monthly per fund, not per portfolio, so a two-fund contributor gets two free trades a month, not one. Structure your contribution schedule around that and the core-selection model does most of the cost-saving work for you in 2026.
