The Best Online Brokers for Internationals in the Netherlands

So, after moving to the Netherlands, you’ve decided to invest in the stock market. And no wonder the finance bug bit you. This is a country of financial innovation! After all, this is the place where the very concept originated!

Dutch markets in corporate securities emerged as early as 1609. The Netherlands’ residents have long since found the stock market brings many benefits. It can give them control of their financial destiny, supplementing other income. It can offer the potential to earn dividends or an average annualized return, among other possibilities. You could also enjoy such perks.

But no opportunity is without risk. The stock market can be volatile, so returns are never guaranteed. To reach your financial goals, you must identify the market’s most promising companies. Easier said than done. That’s where brokers come in.

Not any old broker, though. You could have such an expert invest for you, but this puts you completely out of control. But that’s the opposite of why many people want to invest in the first place! In recent years, though, digital technologies have revolutionized this relationship.

In its most basic terms, the definition of an online broker is a trading provider. They offer access to a digital platform to help their clients buy, sell, and trade stocks. Online brokerage firms can empower you to invest while retaining complete control. You can access your account at any time, even on your cell phone. But there is so much more to it than that. Need help to become a market mogul? Confused about where to start with online brokers? Here is a selection of the best online brokers for internationals in the Netherlands.

Plus500

If you’re looking for a trading platform that’s straightforward and user-friendly, Plus500* might be your go-to. The simplicity of their charts and functionalities makes navigating the platform a breeze, taking the guesswork out of trading. Plus500’s customer service is available around the clock in multiple languages, ensuring help is always at hand. While some wish for more advanced active trade features, the overall ease of use and intuitive design make it a popular choice. With over 26 million users worldwide since inception and being an FTSE 250 company, Plus500 proves to be a reliable platform for both beginners (who must use the demo account and trading academy to gain experience before trading with real capital) and seasoned traders. Just note that while deposits are quick, withdrawals can take a few days.

*82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Plus500CY Ltd is authorized & regulated by CySEC (#250/14); Plus500EE AS is authorised and regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority (Licence No. 4.1-1/18).

Saxo

If you’re an expat in the Netherlands looking to explore online trading and investment, Saxo offers a comprehensive platform that fits your needs well. Access global markets from your Dutch home, trading assets like stocks, bonds, forex, and commodities. Saxo caters to various investment styles with its user-friendly interface, which is equipped with detailed analytical tools and real-time data for informed decision-making. The platform also provides extensive educational resources, including webinars and expert market analysis, to help you navigate financial markets. Additionally, its multilingual support is a bonus if you’re still mastering Dutch, making Saxo a reliable and insightful choice for managing your investments abroad.

eToro

eToro is an international social trading and multi-asset brokerage company. It focuses on providing financial and copy trading services, like forex and crypto. As well as its base in Israel, eToro has registered offices in Cyprus, the UK, the US, and Australia. For expats, it helps that it comes in various languages and will also likely be available in your home country.

It has free stock and ETF trading, seamless account opening and social trading. As such, it is one of the great online brokers for beginners in the Netherlands and beyond. Furthermore, eToro has various educational tools available to help you grow in confidence. These include a trading platform tutorial, educational videos, and even a demo account.

Please note 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

bunq

bunq offers a simple and fee-free investing experience through its app, where users can start with as little as €10. There are no trading fees for the first three months, after which a 0.99% fee applies per trade, with discounts for premium users. The app supports both stocks and ETFs, making it easy to monitor investments. Uninvested cash in a bunq savings account also earns up to 2.01% interest, paid weekly. The service is currently in beta and supported through Bunq’s partner, Ginmon.

Freedom 24

Freedom24 offers investors a powerful platform with access to over 40,000 stocks from 15 global markets, including the USA, EU, and HKEX, alongside 1,500+ ETFs like S&P500 and crypto ETFs. You can explore 800,000+ US stock options and benefit from a direct connection to stock exchanges for the best possible order execution.

EasyBroker

EasyBroker offers various property buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords services. With a user-friendly interface, it facilitates property searches, listings, and connections between parties. Their services include property valuation, negotiation assistance, and guidance throughout the transaction process, aiming to streamline and simplify real estate transactions.

Coinbase

Are you looking to branch beyond the realms of traditional share trading? Coinbase is for you. The American company operates a cryptocurrency exchange platform. This includes a brokerage service named Coinbase Prime.

The integrated solution provides secure custody and an advanced trading platform. You can store and trade your crypto coins on the service for free. Its exchange software also insures your assets. This protects them in the event of a security breach. But note that the vendor does deduct a monthly fee based on the number of trades that occurred.

Rabo Zelf Beleggen

Rabobank customers know that it can be hard to find an English translation for their basic services. Its extra services are even more elusive. As such, it depends on how much you trust your web browser’s translation extension. If that’s a lot, Rabo Zelf Beleggen [roughly, Rabo Investing Yourself] is one of the online brokers in the Netherlands. And from a historic name in the finance sector!

Rabobank has been trading since 1895. So, it has a reputation for reliability other firms on this list can’t match. So, you may feel more comfortable backing the ETFs, bonds, shares and funds on Rabo’s platform. This ‘reliability’ comes at a price, though. Zelf Beleggen’s offer is low compared to other brokers. And its costs for almost all forms of investing are higher than with other brokers.

Passfolio

If you are an expat with more knowledge of Portuguese than Dutch or English, you may want to give Passfolio a look. It has a distinct focus on Brazilian customers, with content often in Portuguese. Launched in 2018, it offers global zero-commission stockbroking. It has attractive fees, as trading in all assets is free of charge above a trade value of $5.

The exception is crypto, while most withdrawal options also carry a fee. Its education offering is small. The platform does feature some high-quality educational articles and a YouTube channel. But its market updates are only in Portuguese.

Trading 212

Founded in 2004, Trading 212 is a London-based CFD broker. The global operation also allows clients to trade stocks and ETFs free of charge. There are no deposits, withdrawals, or inactivity fees. The platform is available in English, and accounts are quick and easy to open.

Its mobile trading platform is welcoming for beginners. It has well-tuned search, alert, and order functions. It also offers extensive education tools. Text and video tutorials can help you use the trading platforms or coach you on the basics of trading.

So, there we have it—seven online brokers operating in the Netherlands who could help you start your journey to stock success. But even with online brokers, you must note again that no investment is risk-free. If you are not comfortable judging these on your own, you should seek out a financial advisor. Please see Expat Republic’s financial services page for more information on that.

Important to remember: Met beleggen kun je jouw inleg verliezen (Investing can lead to a loss of your capital)