Degiro Review 2026 – Hong Kong Trader's Guide

DEGIRO is a Dutch broker founded in 2008 and headquartered in Amsterdam, with a strong footprint across Europe. It has grown rapidly, attracting over 2 million clients, largely due to its transparent, low-cost pricing model. For Hong Kong traders, DEGIRO offers a way to access a broad range of international markets—US, European, and Asian equities, ETFs, bonds, and futures—without the high commissions typical of traditional banks. Although DEGIRO is not primarily a forex broker, it provides a limited number of currency pairs, but it is more famous for stock trading. The platform is entirely web-based and mobile-friendly, which suits long-term investors and passive enthusiasts in Hong Kong who prefer simplicity. However, local traders should note that DEGIRO does not have a physical office in Hong Kong and may not be regulated by the SFC, which is a critical point to consider before opening an account. This review will examine fees, regulation, deposit methods, and platform capabilities specifically from the perspective of a Hong Kong trader, with a balanced look at pros and cons.

DEGIRO is authorised and supervised by the Netherlands’ Authority for Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), with licence numbers to trade as a cross-border investment firm across the EU. Its UK entity is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). While the company adheres to strict MiFID II rules, it does not hold a licence from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. This means that for residents of Hong Kong, there is no local regulatory oversight or SFC investor compensation; instead, you depend on EU/UK protections such as segregated client accounts and negative balance protection. Before opening an account, Hong Kong traders are advised to contact DEGIRO’s support to clarify which legal entity will serve them and whether any protection applies to their residency. You can verify DEGIRO’s regulatory status on the AFM register (the Dutch regulator’s website) to confirm its active authorisation.

DEGIRO does not offer an Islamic account or any swap-free trading options for any of its products. This means that if you hold a forex, CFD, or futures position overnight, you will be charged a financing fee (swap) which is a form of interest, prohibited under Sharia law. For Hong Kong’s Muslim traders who require a genuine swap-free solution, DEGIRO is unfortunately not suitable. There is no automatic conversion of a standard account into an Islamic one, and no documentation or procedure for waiving swaps. Therefore, you will need to look for alternative brokers that offer fully Sharia-compliant swap-free accounts, such as Exness, XM, or FBS, but be aware that some brokers charge higher spreads or hidden fees to compensate. Always read the terms carefully to ensure the swap-free status is genuine and permanent.