Best Brokers in Germany: A Comparison for Expats
There is no universal best broker. The practical fit depends on eligibility, the trades you make, German tax operations, language, market access and what happens if you leave Germany.
Data checked 13 October 2026 · General information, not a personal recommendation.
Direct answer
Which broker is best in Germany?
A German-tax-handling broker may reduce administration for a resident who mainly buys euro-listed ETFs. A broader international broker may offer more venues, currencies and order controls but leave more German tax work to the investor. A low headline fee is useful only after checking spreads, venue costs, FX, custody of cash and the exit route.
First confirm that the exact legal entity accepts your residence, tax status and identity documents. Then compare your real order sizes, the German tax functions you need, each language layer and whether the account can continue after a move.
Method
A selected sample, not full market coverage
The three providers have distinct operating models and sufficiently detailed official evidence. Inclusion is editorial, unpaid and not an endorsement. An omitted broker is not necessarily worse.
Current official terms
Provider pricing, contracts, help pages and protection disclosures were checked directly.
Exact entity
German and Irish entities are not mixed with offers from other countries.
Unknown stays unknown
Where an official source did not confirm a point, the comparison says “not confirmed”.
Why no fourth provider? ING Direkt-Depot pricing and German tax information were available, but public official evidence did not answer expat-critical language, residence and departure questions at comparable depth. We avoided a superficially complete fourth column.
Snapshot
Costs, tax operations and mobility
Amounts are a 13 October 2026 snapshot. They do not include every spread, product cost, exchange, regulatory or tax consequence. Check current terms and the order preview.
| Criterion | Trade Republic | Scalable Capital | Interactive Brokers Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entity/model | Trade Republic Bank GmbH; German app-led securities account. | Scalable Capital Bank GmbH; FREE and PRIME+ models. | IBIE international self-directed account; verify the entity shown in onboarding. |
| Account fee | No separate public custody subscription confirmed; the app price list remains decisive. | Custody €0. FREE €0/month; PRIME+ €4.99/month. | $0 account minimum and inactivity fee; no checked IBKR custody/platform fee. Data subscriptions and third-party charges can remain. |
| German shares/ETFs | Standard: €0 commission plus €1 settlement charge. Direct Price: €2. Other costs can remain. | EIX: FREE usually €0.99; PRIME+ €0 from €250, otherwise €0.99. Current Xetra/gettex table: €1.99. | Tiered: 0.05%, minimum €1.25 plus possible third-party costs. Fixed SmartRouting: 0.05%, minimum €3 for whole shares. |
| ETF automation | Savings-plan execution €0; sale €1. | Savings-plan execution €0 from €1. | Recurring Investments available. Only a qualifying iShares UCITS selection is commission-free from €10. |
| German tax | Withholding, Freistellungsauftrag, loss pots and annual certificate supported. | These functions are supported for German tax residents. | German withholding, Freistellungsauftrag, loss pots and German-format certificate: not confirmed. |
| English | English Germany website and app/business relationship confirmed; complete separate English contract set and guaranteed human support not confirmed. | English website/app and contract version; German contract is legally binding for German residents. | English website, platforms and IBIE agreement confirmed; support language service levels are not guaranteed. |
| After a move | A country move can be cause for extraordinary termination. | EEA move may continue; outside EEA the relationship cannot continue. | Residence country can change where supported; unchanged entity, products and tax treatment are not guaranteed. |
Trade Republic
German app-led model
Scalable Capital
German FREE / PRIME+ model
Interactive Brokers Ireland
International self-directed model
Requirement profiles
Start with the operating job—not a provider score
German tax workflow
Trade Republic and Scalable document German withholding, saver allowances, loss pots and certificates. Compare fees, cash treatment, transfers and relocation instead of stopping at tax convenience.
Regular ETF contributions
The German providers publish zero execution fees for eligible savings plans. IBKR offers recurring investments, but only its qualifying iShares programme is commission-free.
International tools
IBKR documents many venues, order types and explicit spot-FX pricing. That breadth comes with complexity and no confirmed German withholding workflow.
Trade Republic Bank GmbH
German app-led model
Scalable Capital Bank GmbH
German FREE / PRIME+ model
Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited
International self-directed model
Cash is not one legal bucket
Bank deposits, money-market-fund units and securities have different ownership, risk and protection rules. Read the allocation shown in your account rather than relying on a generic “cash protected” label.
Deposit and investor-protection schemes address institution failure within their scope. Neither covers an ETF, share, bond or money-market fund falling in value.
Zero fee is not zero cost
- Spreads vary by instrument, venue and time.
- Product costs continue inside a fund.
- Exchange, clearing or regulatory charges may apply.
- FX can dominate a small foreign-market order.
- A subscription helps only when its conditions match your use.
Before opening
Use a six-step operating check
1. Eligibility
Confirm residence, every tax residence, identity documents and US-person status. Availability never guarantees acceptance.
2. Real costs
Price expected orders, venues, savings plans, spreads, FX, data and subscriptions.
3. Tax work
Decide whether you need German withholding and loss pots or can calculate and file yourself.
4. Language
Separate interface, contract, tax documents and human support. A landing page proves only website language.
5. Transfer and exit
Check whole and fractional transfers, acquisition data, cash withdrawal, closure and your likely next country.
6. Evidence
Download terms, statements, tax reports, acquisition lots and cash-allocation disclosures.
US persons
Trade Republic and Scalable exclude US persons from the checked German products. IBKR applies US tax forms and account rules. Citizenship, green-card status and substantial presence can change the route; do not infer eligibility from a German address.
Leaving Germany
No provider promises unchanged worldwide continuation. Read the leaving Germany investment guide and ask about the exact destination, transferability and tax records before moving.
Common traps
Short operational answers
Is a German broker always easier for German tax?
It can simplify withholding, allowances and loss pots, but does not settle every foreign-income, treaty or departure question.
Does an English app mean English contracts and support?
No. Website, app, binding contract, documents and human support must be checked separately.
Are free ETF savings plans cost-free?
No. A zero execution fee does not remove fund costs, spreads, later selling costs, FX or taxes.
Official sources
Check current terms before opening
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