Best ESMA Regulated Brokers in the UK

Meet Thadeus, a trading guru, brilliant writer, and financial fanatic with years of expertise in the industry. Get ready to learn from his wealth of knowledge.

Fact checked
Share
Copied!

ESMA is a financial regulatory authority overseeing the activities of brokers within the EU. You probably must be wondering why UK clients need such brokers even though the UK is no longer part of the EU. Well, ESMA imposes high regulatory standards that protect clients. Besides, UK traders were already accustomed to ESMA rules before Brexit. Simply put, ESMA brokers offer quality services and make it easier for UK traders to explore other markets within the EU.

So, how do you choose the best ESMA-regulated brokers in the UK? Our team did all the legwork and share below the top options that have been thoroughly tested. Here, we also enlighten you more on ESMA regulations, how they benefit you and share tips for getting started using such brokers in the UK.

List of the Best ESMA Regulated Brokers in the UK 2024

  • eToro – Free Commission ESMA Regulated Trading Broker
  • Forex.com – Best ESMA Regulated Trading Broker for Beginners
  • Plus500* – ESMA Regulated CFD Trading Broker for Mobile Trading
  • Vantage FX – Best ESMA Regulated Forex Broker
  • DeGiro – Best ESMA Regulated Stock Broker

*80% of CFD retail accounts lose money

In this guide

Best ESMA Regulated Brokers in the UK

Compare ESMA Regulated Trading Brokers in the UK

As experts in this field, our goal is to supply quality information and unbiased recommendations. In this regard, we can assure you that the ESMA-regulated brokers we list here have undergone thorough market research. The research involved multiple tests and user review findings from Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. We strive to remain as unbiased as possible so every reader can find an option that best suits their trading requirements.

Licenses
Licenses/Regulations
trading assets
Market Instruments
Software
Broker’s Platform
Payment Methods
Payment Methods
demo account
Customer Support
trading fees
Commissions & Fees

That being said, we share below our comparison table highlighting the key elements that make our recommended ESMA regulated brokers stand out. We hope the table will help you identify a suitable option.

Best ESMA-Regulated Broker

Licence Support Service Software Payment Demo Account

Money Insurance

eToro ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSAS 24/5 eToro investing platform, Multi-asset platform, Copy Trader Debit card, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, eToro Money, Online Banking Yes Yes (up to $250,000)
Forex.com FCA, CFTC, NFA, CIMA, CIRO, CySEC, FSA 24/5 MT4, MT5, TradingView Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, Skrill, Neteller Yes Yes (up to £85,000)
Plus500 FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS, FSA 24/7 Plus500 Webtrader Bank Wire Transfer, Credit/debit cards, Paypal, Skrill Yes Yes (up to £85,000)
Vantage FX ASIC, CIMA, FSCA 24/5 MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, ProTrader, Vantage App, MetaQuotes Apps Credit cards, Bank Wire Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, Union Pay, Boleto, AstroPay, FasaPay Yes Yes (up to $1,000,000)
DeGiro FCA, BaFin, AFM 24/7 DEGIRO app, Own Trading Platform Bank Wire Transfers No Yes (up to €100,000)

Brief Overview of Our Recommended ESMA Brokers’ Fees and Assets

Choosing the right ESMA broker is crucial if you want to have a maximum experience. Consider various elements in this process, including security, fees, asset offerings, support services, payment methods, and more. We will take you through how to choose the right ESMA broker later in this guide. But first, let’s understand the applicable charges and assets you will explore at these brokers we recommend.

Fees

Best ESMA-Regulated Broker

Fees Minimum Deposit Requirement Transaction

Inactivity

eToro From 2 pips $100 $5 withdrawal $10 monthly
Forex.com From 0.7pts £100 Free £15 monthly
Plus500 From 0.0 pips £100 Free £10 monthly
Vantage FX From 0.0 pips £50 Free None
DeGiro From £0 £0 Free None

Assets

Best ESMA-Regulated Broker

Forex Stocks Commodities ETFs

Options

eToro Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Forex.com Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Plus500 (CFDs) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vantage FX Yes Yes Yes Yes No
DeGiro No Yes Yes Yes Yes

1. eToro - Free Commission ESMA Regulated Trading Broker

eToro 1
eToro 2
eToro 3
eToro 4
eToro 5
eToro 1
eToro 2
eToro 3
eToro 4
eToro 5

We tested eToro and had one of the best experiences, particularly when it comes to stock trading. The activity is commission-free and we explored over 4960 shares, including global options like Tesla, Microsoft, and more. Moreover, eToro hosts additional asset classes like forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more. This makes it easier for you to diversify your portfolio and limit the risk of losing money on a single asset.

eToro does not impose deposit fees whether you transact via debit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers. However, you will incur withdrawal charges of $5. With extra features like social trading and an Investor Program, we believe eToro can accommodate all types of traders. We can’t go without mentioning the broker’s vast learning materials, including guides, articles, webinars, videos, and more.

eToro Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔Copy/Social trading
✔Low minimum to fund an account and begin investing
{etoroCFDrisk}% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Beginner-friendly CopyTrader platform.
  • Impeccable mobile device functionality.
  • Low minimum deposit requirement of $100 for UK clients.
  • Offers a £100,000 virtually funded demo account suitable for newbies.
Cons
  • Withdrawal charges apply
  • No third-party platforms like the MT4

Types Fee
Minimum Deposit $100
Conversion Fee depends on your payment method, currency, and eToro Club level.
Overnight Fee vary according to the value and direction (BUY or SELL) of your position
Withdrawal Fee all withdrawal requests are subject to a $5 USD fee
Inactivity Fee monthly inactivity fee of $10 USD (charged after 12 months)

  • Stocks – there is a total of 800 stocks offered ranging from the biggest tech businesses in the U.S. to smaller companies from all over the world. Stock trading is always commission-free with eToro.
  • Cryptocurrencies – being one of the first brokers to jump on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, it comes as no surprise that eToro dominates this segment. With more than 20 coins and a number of cryptocurrency pairs, there is enough for all crypto traders.
  • Currency Pairs – in the early days, eToro was just another FX broker and even though they’ve developed since, the broker has stayed true to its roots. As a trader, you can choose between 49 currency pairs ranging from majors and minors to a few exotic ones.
  • Long-Term Investments – unlike many online brokers, eToro is also suitable for long-term investments. For example, their investment portfolios are a great way to diversify your portfolio and limit risk.
  • Additional assets – in addition to the above, eToro provides access to commodities, indices, and ETFs as CFDs. There is also a range of unique assets such as Crypto Portfolios that are only offered by eToro. This means that you can create a diverse portfolio with ease.

2. Forex.com - Best ESMA Regulated Trading Broker for Beginners

Forex.com 1
Forex.com 2
Forex.com 3
Forex.com 4
Forex.com 5
Forex.com 1
Forex.com 2
Forex.com 3
Forex.com 4
Forex.com 5

Forex.com is the best ESMA broker for newbies due to various reasons. First, it is a home of many tradable instruments, which is a great platform to experiment with a variety of offerings before deciding which one suits your interests. We also noticed that the broker hosts multiple platforms, including TradingView, WebTrader, and MT5. With this, you can easily access its top-notch research resources to help you make the best decisions.

Forex.com is user-friendly and customisable — a feature that enables newbies to enjoy their experiences long-term without seeking other alternatives. From our analysis, Forex.com has a streamlined account opening procedure with a low minimum deposit requirement of £100. All trades are commission-free and you will enjoy quality learning materials, from articles and guides to recorded videos and webinars. There is also a £50,000 virtually-funded demo account to test the broker and gauge your skill level before making a commitment.

Forex.com Review 2024
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Unparalleled forex service
✔ Wide array of offerings
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Low minimum deposit requirement
  • Lists over 4,500 instruments across various asset classes, including forex, stocks, commodities, and more
  • A user-friendly and intuitive design platform
  • Quality learning and market research tools
Cons
  • You can only trade the featured assets as CFDs
  • We find its forex trading spreads a bit higher compared to its peers

Type Fee
Minimum deposit $100
Inactivity fee $15
Deposit fee $0
Withdrawal fee $0
Overnight fee $0

Clients can trade Forex, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, and Commodities (including precious metals and oil) with different account types.

forex.com accounts

3. Plus500 - ESMA Regulated CFD Trading Broker for Mobile Trading

Plus500 1
Plus500 2
Plus500 3
Plus500 4
eToro 5
Plus500 1
Plus500 2
Plus500 3
Plus500 4
eToro 5

When looking for the best ESMA trading app for your mobile device, Plus500 takes the lead. This is not only because of its impeccable performance but users on Google Play and App Store rate it as the best. We also found the app to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. Plus, it has robust security measures like two-factor authentication and face ID to prevent unauthorised access to your account. Note that this ESMA regulated broker has a low minimum deposit requirement of £100 with zero transaction costs.

Although Plus500 only offers CFD instruments, its diverse asset class offerings make it easier for you to diversify your portfolio. We also noticed that there are no third-party platforms like the MT4 and MT5. However, this doesn’t limit its offerings since professional traders can still benefit from advanced resources on its Professional Trading platform. You can also trade CFDs across various markets with zero commission.

Plus500 Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Educational materials
✔ Regulated in many countries
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Low minimum deposit requirement for UK clients
  • Free transactions across all payment methods
  • Commission-free trades with spreads from 0.0 pips
  • Reliable 24/7 support service
Cons
  • Lists only CFD instruments
  • Does not host third-party platforms like the MT4/5

Type Fee
Overnight Funding yes
Currency Conversion Fee 0.7%
Guaranteed Stop Order spread applies
Inactivity Fee $10 per month
Withdrawls/Deposits  $0

Plus500 provides access to 2800+ CFDs across a wide range of different asset classes, including: Indices – Country and Sector, Forex, Commodities, Individual shares, ETFs, Options

Note: 80% 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.

4. Vantage FX - Best ESMA Regulated Forex Broker

Vantage FX 1
Vantage FX 2
Vantage FX 3
Vantage FX 4
Vantage FX 5
Vantage FX 1
Vantage FX 2
Vantage FX 3
Vantage FX 4
Vantage FX 5

Trading forex will never be the same with Vantage FX. It trails other ESMA-regulated forex brokers in various ways. First, we like the fact that it has a popular RAW ECN account that offers forex trading across over 40 currency pairs at a low commission. It also allows trading on over 1000 instruments across forex, share CFDs, commodities, and indices. We find it to be the best ESMA regulated forex broker, considering low trading fees with spreads from 0.0 pips.

Creating a trading account at Vantage FX is easy, but you must deposit at least £50 to start trading. For beginners, the broker has your back as it hosts a demo account loaded with £10,000 virtual money. We can’t go without mentioning how fast this broker is when it comes to trade execution. And besides its MT4 platform, we enjoyed trading forex on its TravingView option, which is tailored for advanced CFD traders. There are also the MT5 and ProTrader, which list powerful market analysis tools, precision charting, and more.

Opening an account on this ESMA broker is also very fast, and it allows various deposit and withdrawal methods, most of which are free of charge.

Vantage FX Review 2024
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Commission-free accounts
✔ Great educational resources
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Allows traders to engage in copy trading
  • Low minimum deposit requirement
  • Low trading commissions with competitive spread on its RAW ECN trading account
  • PayPal is accepted on all trading platforms
  • Advanced trading platforms that suit all users
Cons
  • Limited number of tradable currency pairs compared to its peers
  • You can only trade the assets as CFDs or spread betting

Account Standard Account RAW Account PRO
Opening an account $50 $50 $10.000
Spreads From 1 pips 0 pips 0 pips
Commissions $0 From $3 per lot per side From $1.5 per lot per side
Withdrawal fee $0 $0 $0
Deposit fee $0 $0 $0
Overnight fee $0 $0 $0

Clients can trade on popular currency pairs, indices, stocks, commodities, precious metals, cryptocurrencies and more than 500 tokens and coins.

5. DeGiro - Best ESMA Regulated Stock Broker

DeGiro 1
DeGiro 2
DeGiro 3
DeGiro 4
DeGiro 5
DeGiro 1
DeGiro 2
DeGiro 3
DeGiro 4
DeGiro 5

While testing DeGiro, we discovered that the broker hosts over 2.5 million global clients. This indicates how trusted it is in the financial space. Stock investing also comes with incredibly low fees, from £1 commissions on the US-listed stocks. Plus, this one of the best stock brokers has no minimum deposit requirement, thus attracting all types of investors, including newbies and low-budget ones.You will have access to over 50 global stock exchanges using its comprehensive and user-friendly trading platform.

Note that DeGiro is one of the ESMA regulated brokers that supports purchasing and taking ownership of the securities. Thousands of stocks from 50+ exchanges are listed here, including popular options like Tesla, Netflix, Apple, Unilever, and more. Plus, you can diversify your portfolio across other asset classes like ETFs, indices, commodities, bonds, options, and more. The only pitfall we noticed is that DeGiro doesn’t have a demo account or live chat support.

DeGiro Review 2024
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Low commissions
✔ One of the biggest brokers in Europe
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • No account deposit requirement
  • Ultra-low trading charges, from £1 on US-listed stocks
  • Access to diverse stock markets for more opportunities
  • A user-friendly and modern design stock trading platform
  • You can buy stocks and take full ownership of the underlying security
Cons
  • No demo account
  • No live chat

Types Fee
Minimum deposit €0
Withdrawal fee €0
Inactivity fee €0
Deposit fee €0
Custody fee €0
Currency conversion 0.25%

Degiro offers a wide range of assets for traders as ETFs, Stocks, Bonds, Futures, Options, Structured products, Funds, Cryptocurrencies, and Commodities.

What is ESMA?

esma

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is a financial regulatory body overseeing the activities of financial institutions in the European Union. Its goal is to foster financial stability and efficiency in the EU’s financial landscape, thus boosting investor protection. The authority was established in 2011 and is currently based in Paris.

Note that ESMA is an independent authority. It cooperates with the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB), the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and national competent authorities (NCA) to ensure proper maintenance of financial stability in the EU.

ESMA ensures that national authorities like the UK’s FCA adhere to its laid down regulations within their regions. It tracks and assesses market trends to come up with favourable regulations for consumers. Plus, it identifies potential vulnerabilities and sends warnings and recommendations to strengthen financial supervision.

How the ESMA Protects You

how esma protects you

ESMA creates various rules to enhance financial stability within the EU. Its main goal is to protect traders and ensure they get a favourable environment that will maximise their experience. For instance, ESMA regulation imposes leverage limits for retail traders across various asset classes to reduce potential risks and exposure. As you probably know, applying leverage can maximise profits or leave you with massive losses. This approach ensures retail traders are not prone to huge risks.

Additionally, ESMA protects traders through its negative balance protection scheme. This means that retail traders cannot lose more money than what they have deposited in their accounts with regulated brokers. There is also the margin close-out rule, whereby your open position automatically closes when your funds fall below a certain percentage.

Overall, it is advisable to stick with an ESMA-regulated broker in the UK to avoid falling victim to scammers. Be knowledgeable of the laid regulations for brokers and traders to enjoy your experience. You will also avoid violating rules that could lead to penalties or restrictions on various trading activities.

How to Choose the Right ESMA-Regulated Trading Brokers UK

Trading in the UK’s financial landscape requires proper planning and strategies. Most importantly, you need the best broker with features aligning with your trading requirements. This is so you can enjoy your experience while maximising your chances of managing successful trades.

Note that there are many ESMA-regulated brokers in the UK. For this reason, it can be challenging to compare the variety of options and make a suitable choice. Fret not, though, for we share some tips below to ensure you identify the right choice for your needs.

The UK’s financial landscape hosts both legitimate and fraudulent brokers. Therefore, to avoid falling victim to scammers, ensure you confirm the regulatory status of a broker. The broker you select must not only be ESMA regulated but also overseen by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). With such brokers, you are guaranteed a secure trading experience. For instance, your funds will be stored in segregated accounts only accessible to you. Plus, it will be easy to take legal action against a broker in case of an agreement breach.

Different brokers offer different trading platforms to suit different types of traders. Therefore, ensure your ESMA-regulated broker’s platform is user-friendly, customisable, and modern in design. Plus, the platform should be fit for your skill level and support quality tools or resources for market analysis and strategy development. For beginners, settle with an ESMA broker with a demo account. You should also consider trading app availability so it will be easier to manage your activities even while on the move.

Before considering trading the financial market, you probably have an idea of the asset/s you want to explore. In this regard, choose an ESMA broker offering your preferred securities and more. While trading can bring good profits, diversify your portfolio across different asset classes like forex, shares, commodities, and more. This way, you do not incur massive losses in case one trade fails to work out in your favour.

ESMA brokers in the UK have varying trading and non-trading charges. Therefore, start by setting aside trading funds for the activity. Then select a broker that fits your budget by considering various elements. These include minimum deposit requirements, deposit/withdrawal fees, inactivity charges, financing fees, and more. Be thorough during this process and ensure there are no hidden charges.

Choose a broker with the right payment methods to avoid wasting time and money in transactions. For instance, our recommended ESMA brokers above support deposits and withdrawals using multiple methods, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. This means that every trader will have a suitable choice so they can focus entirely on managing their activities.

Both new and professional traders have bad days while trading or investing in the financial space. With the advancing technology, things change, and you might find yourself requiring some clarifications or guidance. With a broker backed up by a professional support team, you are guaranteed quality assistance. Remember, some brokers operate 24/7 while others five days a week. Therefore, choose a broker whose availability aligns with your trading schedule.

Always confirm what other users say regarding their experiences with an ESMA-regulated broker. This way, you can understand both the positive and negative elements that come with a broker you are considering for an informed choice. To get honest user opinions, visit Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot.

How to Register an Account with an ESMA-Regulated Broker

Now that you are familiar with the top ESMA regulated brokers in the UK, let’s dive into how to create a trading account using either of them. Note that since they all are overseen by ESMA and the FCA, the procedures involved are similar.

You must visit an ESMA broker’s website to set up a trading account. On this page, we share links to give you direct access to their websites. Once there, start by reading and understanding your broker’s terms of service. This will ensure both parties are on the same page, and you are guaranteed an exciting experience. Moreover, consider installing your broker’s trading app on your mobile device to manage your activities on the go.

Click on the register or sign up button at the top right corner of your broker’s website to begin the registration process. Most FCA and ESMA-regulated brokers will provide you with a form to fill out using your personal details. These include your name, email, phone number, date of birth, and more. Your broker will also require you to create a unique username and password for added protection to your account. You do not want to have unauthorised access to it.

The next step involves participating in account verification to fully set up your account. This is a standard protocol set by the FCA and ESMA to ensure the UK’s and EU’s financial space is free from imposters. Your broker will request copies of your personal documents as proof of identity and location. These include your government-issued ID card and utility bill, respectively. You can also submit copies of your passport or bank statement.

At this point, you can fund your account per your broker’s minimum deposit requirement. Ensure you transact with a convenient option to avoid wasting time in transactions or currency conversions. For our recommended brokers above, you can use credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller, and bank transfers to fund your account.

Once your deposit has been confirmed by your broker, proceed to select an asset you prefer. Then, choose a trade size based on your budget and apply risk management controls before opening a position. If you are new to a broker, we advise you to start trading using its demo account. Here, you will not spend your hard-earned money, meaning that you should also not expect to earn real cash profits. You can then transfer your activities to a live trading account once you feel confident in your skills and are ready to risk real money.

FAQs

What does ESMA stand for?

ESMA stands for European Securities and Markets Authority.

Is ESMA a regulator?

Yes. ESMA enhances the protection of investors by promoting a conducive and safe financial market.

What is ESMA approval?

ESMA approval means that ESMA approves your activities in the financial markets.

Where is ESMA located?

ESMA is located in Paris.

Are ESMA regulated brokers safe?

Yes. ESMA is a European Union financial regulator with global recognition, meaning that your trading funds are safe with any broker regulated by it.

 

Conclusion

Trading the financial landscape can be lucrative if you have solid plans and strategies. With an ESMA-regulated broker in the UK, you can easily make efficient and strategic moves that will maximise your potential. Plus, you are guaranteed your funds protection and favourable leverage limits. Such brokers make trading stress-free since you will entirely focus on managing your activities.

That being said, you can try any of our recommendations above that you believe will suit your trading requirements. Start by exploring its performance via its demo account before making a commitment. Remember, success doesn’t come overnight. Therefore, even if you have the best broker, ensure you remain disciplined, strategise and be open to learning from your losses.

How we test?

Our test process is really based on two different aspects: our independent tests and research, as well as user reviews from Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot, etc.

The first thing we do when testing is to check every detail and test every tool and instrument. Our experts spend more than 200 hours on every article. We pay special attention to the specific function or the criteria that we’re comparing during the comparing stage. This means that we must determine which broker is more suited for beginners, and which is better suited for experts, for example. Find out more about our test process here.

Thadeus Geodfrey logo
Thadeus Geodfrey

Is a regular dad trying to be smart about how we play and win in this big game of life. He has worked within the very best of the financial industry producing numerous training resources. He is an experienced copywriter with immense financial background. Now earns a full time living as a Trader, and as our writer.

His articles help everyday families build sustainable wealth, stop stressing about their financial security, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
If he is not trading or writing, he is at the gym.

Plus500 Review

25,000 hours of testing 70+ brokers. Our recommended broker is Plus500.

Our recommended broker is Plus500.

Plus500 Review Register at Plus500 now!

80% of retail CFD accounts lose money