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Best ETF Brokers for Irish Investors

An independent comparison of the cheapest and most accessible ETF brokers available in Ireland — covering fees, regulation, ETF range, and Irish tax reporting.

Last checked: April 2026. Always verify current fees and protection limits directly with each broker before opening an account.

Not financial advice. The information on etf.ie is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. ETF investing involves risk, including the possible loss of capital. Tax rules may change — always verify current Revenue guidance and consult a qualified financial adviser or tax professional before making investment decisions.

Quick comparison

Broker ETF Trade Fee Annual Fee CBI Regulated Irish Tax Report Fractional Min Deposit
DEGIRO €1 handling fee (Core Selection ETFs on Tradegate); standard commissions on other venues None No No No €0
Trading 212 €0 commission None No ✓ Yes ✓ Yes €1
Davy Select 0.25%–0.50% (min €15 per trade) €30/year custody fee ✓ Yes ✓ Yes No €0
Interactive Brokers From €1.25 or 0.05% on European ETFs None (no monthly minimum for accounts over $100k) ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes €0
Lightyear €0 commission on EU-listed ETFs None No No ✓ Yes €1

What to look for in an Irish ETF broker

Regulation and compensation

Irish-authorised investment firms may fall under the Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS), which covers 90% of net loss up to €20,000 — not €100,000, which is the separate Deposit Guarantee Scheme for cash. UK-authorised brokers offer FSCS investment protection up to £85,000; UK deposit protection rose to £120,000 in December 2025. EU-regulated brokers typically offer €20,000.

UCITS ETF access

Irish investors should buy UCITS ETFs (ideally Ireland-domiciled). Avoid US-listed ETFs like VOO or VTI — EU residents are prohibited from buying many of them due to the PRIIPs regulation, and tax treatment is less favourable.

FX fees matter

Many popular UCITS ETFs trade in USD or GBP. If you deposit euros, a broker's FX markup is often the biggest hidden cost. Some charge 0.15–1.5%, so check this carefully for any euro-denominated transactions.

Pro-Tip: Since 2025, many Irish investors have started using multi-currency accounts (like Revolut or Wise) to fund IBKR directly in USD and bypass broker FX fees. For larger lump-sum transfers (€10,000+), Currencies Direct typically offers better rates than fintech apps — worth comparing before moving large amounts. (affiliate link) Read the full broker funding guide →

Irish tax reporting

Tax reporting is a major consideration for Irish ETF investors. While historically only Davy Select provided Irish-specific tax documentation, Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 recently introduced automated Irish Exit Tax reporting in late 2025.

Full broker reviews

Popular Choice

DEGIRO

Low-cost European broker with a huge ETF range

Fees

ETF Trade
€1 handling fee (Core Selection ETFs on Tradegate); standard commissions on other venues
Annual / Custody
None
FX Fee
0.25% (auto FX)
Min Deposit
€0
Fractional shares
Tax reporting

ETF Range

Thousands of UCITS ETFs including all major Vanguard, iShares, Xtrackers

Pros

  • Very competitive fees on most ETFs
  • Enormous fund selection
  • Clean, easy-to-use interface
  • Free ETF list includes many popular UCITS funds

Cons

  • Not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
  • No Irish-specific tax reporting
  • Auto FX fee on non-euro trades
  • Customer support can be slow

Regulation: AFM (Netherlands) / CBI passported  ·  Deposit protection: €20,000 (Dutch investor compensation scheme)

Open a DEGIRO account →

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Popular Choice

Trading 212

Irish Tax Report

Commission-free trading with fractional shares

Fees

ETF Trade
€0 commission
Annual / Custody
None
FX Fee
0.15% currency conversion
Min Deposit
€1
Fractional shares
Tax reporting

ETF Range

Wide range of UCITS ETFs; access to LSE and Euronext-listed funds

Pros

  • Zero commission on all trades
  • Fractional shares from €1
  • Modern app with good UX
  • Earn interest on uninvested cash
  • Automated Irish Exit Tax reporting

Cons

  • UK-regulated (FCA), not CBI
  • Relatively newer platform
  • Limited phone support

Regulation: FCA (UK) / CBI passported  ·  Deposit protection: Investment: £85,000 (FSCS); Deposits: £120,000 (FSCS, since Dec 2025)

Open a Trading 212 account →

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Davy Select

CBI Regulated Irish Tax Report

Ireland's leading stockbroker — established and fully CBI regulated

Fees

ETF Trade
0.25%–0.50% (min €15 per trade)
Annual / Custody
€30/year custody fee
FX Fee
Included in spread
Min Deposit
€0
Fractional shares
Tax reporting

ETF Range

Core UCITS ETFs on major exchanges; access to Euronext Dublin, LSE, NYSE

Pros

  • Fully regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
  • Irish Investor Compensation Scheme (90% of net loss up to €20,000)
  • Annual tax report helpful for Revenue returns
  • Trusted Irish brand since 1926

Cons

  • Higher trading fees than European competitors
  • €30/year custody charge
  • Minimum €15 per trade makes small buys expensive
  • Interface less modern than fintechs

Regulation: Central Bank of Ireland  ·  Deposit protection: 90% of net loss up to €20,000 (Irish Investor Compensation Scheme)

Open a Davy Select account →

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Interactive Brokers

CBI Regulated Irish Tax Report

Professional-grade platform with extremely low fees

Fees

ETF Trade
From €1.25 or 0.05% on European ETFs
Annual / Custody
None (no monthly minimum for accounts over $100k)
FX Fee
0.002% (very competitive)
Min Deposit
€0
Fractional shares
Tax reporting

ETF Range

Extremely wide — access to ETFs on 135+ exchanges globally

Pros

  • Irish-regulated entity (IBKR Ireland)
  • Best-in-class fee structure for active traders
  • Access to virtually every ETF globally
  • Competitive FX rates
  • Automated Irish Exit Tax reporting

Cons

  • Complex platform — steep learning curve
  • Overwhelming for beginners
  • Customer service can be difficult to reach

Regulation: Multiple — Irish clients via IBKR Ireland Ltd (CBI regulated)  ·  Deposit protection: €20,000 (Irish Investor Compensation Scheme)

Open an IBKR account →

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Lightyear

New-generation broker with competitive FX and cash interest

Fees

ETF Trade
€0 commission on EU-listed ETFs
Annual / Custody
None
FX Fee
0.35% above €100k/month (free below)
Min Deposit
€1
Fractional shares
Tax reporting

ETF Range

Growing range of UCITS ETFs on Euronext and LSE

Pros

  • Zero commission on ETF trades
  • Very competitive FX — free under €100k/month
  • Interest paid on cash balances
  • Clean, modern mobile app

Cons

  • Relatively new — launched 2022
  • Smaller ETF range than established brokers
  • No Irish tax reporting
  • EU customers covered by Estonian EFSA (not FCA/FSCS) — important to understand

Regulation: Lightyear Europe AS — Estonian EFSA (EU/Irish customers); separate UK entity regulated by FCA  ·  Deposit protection: €20,000 (Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund — EU customers)

Watch

While EU-passported, Lightyear operates under the Estonian EFSA. In 2026, the EFSA tightened its "Investor Protection Sectoral Fund" rules. It is a "newer" jurisdiction compared to the CBI or AFM, so Irish investors should monitor regulatory updates.

Open a Lightyear account →

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A note on broker risk

When you buy an ETF through a broker, the ETF itself is held in your name at a custodian — meaning even if the broker goes bankrupt, your ETF units are ring-fenced and should be recoverable. However, cash held at a broker is at risk. Keep only the minimum cash needed at your broker, and never exceed the relevant compensation scheme limit.

Last Fact-Checked: 19 April 2026

Not financial advice. The information on etf.ie is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. ETF investing involves risk, including the possible loss of capital. Tax rules may change — always verify current Revenue guidance and consult a qualified financial adviser or tax professional before making investment decisions.