How to Buy ETFs in Europe with IBKR

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers access to global ETFs - but buying them from Europe has specific rules. Here’s how to get started the right way in 2025.

1. Create an IBKR Account with EU Residency

When signing up, choose your country of residence in the EU or EEA. This will determine which ETFs (e.g., UCITS) you’re allowed to access under MiFID II rules.

2. Fund Your Account

You can deposit EUR, USD, or other currencies via SEPA, SWIFT, or Wise. IBKR doesn’t charge deposit fees.

3. Convert Currency If Needed

Most ETFs are listed in USD, so you may need to convert EUR to USD inside IBKR. Use the “FXCONV” tool in Client Portal or mobile app.

4. Search for UCITS ETFs

Use the search bar to look for ETFs with “UCITS” in the name. These are compliant for EU residents. Example: “VWCE” or “CSPX”.

5. Place a Market or Limit Order

Click “Buy”, select quantity and order type. You can use market, limit, or fractional order (if supported). Confirm and monitor in your portfolio.

6. Track Fees and Dividends

IBKR charges ~0.005 USD per share in most cases. Dividend withholding tax applies, but UCITS ETFs help optimise tax treatment.

Final Notes

• Stick to accumulating ETFs to avoid dividend taxation.
• Keep track of portfolio value for tax declaration in your country.
• IBKR provides annual tax documents in PDF/CSV formats.

Ready to Start?

→ Open your account via IBKR referral link and explore thousands of ETFs available to EU investors.