flatex is a German online broker founded in 2006 and now part of flatexDEGIRO AG, one of Europe's largest retail brokers with more than 2.5 million clients. Headquartered in Frankfurt, flatex has built its reputation on low-cost trading for stocks, ETFs, bonds, and derivatives. For Swedish traders, flatex stands out because it provides access to a broad range of international markets, including US, European, and Asian exchanges, all through a single Swedish-capable account.
Although flatex is not a pure forex broker, it does offer retail forex trading via CFDs on major and minor currency pairs. However, the trading environment is more geared toward investors than active day traders. The proprietary platform is reliable, and fees on securities are among the lowest you will find. Sweden traders who prioritise transparent regulation, low custody fees, and a straightforward bank transfer deposit process will find flatex appealing. That said, if your primary focus is forex trading, flatex's limited platform selection and less competitive spread structure may push you toward dedicated FX brokers like Avatrade or XM.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | — |
| Headquarters | — |
| Regulated by | — |
| Min Deposit | $0 |
| Max Leverage | — |
| Platforms | — |
| Islamic Account | Not available |
| Copy Trading | Not available |
| Demo Account | Available |
| Instrument | Typical Spread | Commission/Lot | All-In Cost | Standard Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Check broker | Varies | Varies | Check broker |
| Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| ECN/Raw Account | No |
| Islamic (Swap-free) | No |
| Scalping Allowed | Yes |
| Hedging Allowed | Yes |
| Expert Advisors (EA) | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No |
flatex does not advertise a dedicated Islamic or swap-free account option. For Sweden's Muslim traders who wish to trade forex without earning or paying interest (riba), this is a notable limitation. The proprietary platform automatically applies swap fees on forex positions held overnight, and there is no built-in setting to disable them.
Some traders have successfully contacted flatex's customer support to request a swap-free arrangement, but flatex reserves the right to deny such requests and does not guarantee a genuine Islamic structure. Furthermore, even if a swap-free status is granted, flatex may still charge an administration fee in place of swaps, which can hide the true cost. If Halal or Shariah-compliant trading is essential, we strongly recommend using a dedicated Islamic forex broker that clearly offers swap-free accounts with no hidden fees.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Islamic Account Available | No |
| Swap Fees | May apply |
| Hidden Admin Fees | Verify with broker before trading |
| How to Apply | Contact support after opening standard account |
| Approval Time | Usually same business day |
| Asset Class | Examples | Available | Typical Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Major Pairs | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY | All available | Check broker |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | Spot Gold | Available | — |
| Silver (XAG/USD) | Spot Silver | Available | Check broker |
| Oil CFDs | WTI Crude, Brent Crude | Available | $0.03–$0.05 |
| Stock Indices | S&P500, NASDAQ, DAX, FTSE | Available | 0.40 pts |
| Crypto CFDs | BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL | Available | Check broker |
| Shares CFDs | Apple, Tesla, Amazon | Available | 0.02% |
| Broker | Min Deposit | EUR/USD | Islamic | TradingView | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flatex (current) | $0 | Check broker | No | No | 4.5 |
| Pepperstone | $0 | 0.09 pips | Yes | Yes | 4.9 |
| IC Markets | $200 | 0.02 pips | Yes | No | 4.8 |
| Exness | $10 | 0.10 pips | Yes | No | 4.8 |
flatex is a safe and cost-effective broker for Swedish traders whose main focus is investing in stocks, ETFs, and long-term assets. The German regulation and transparent fee model give it a high level of trust. However, for retail forex trading, flatex is far from the best choice: the absence of MetaTrader, wider spreads, and lack of account customisation make it less suitable for active currency traders.
If you are a Swedish trader looking to execute occasional forex trades alongside a solid portfolio of securities, flatex can work. But if forex trading is your primary activity, we recommend opting for a dedicated FX broker with tighter spreads, modern platforms, and better swap-free options. In short, flatex is recommended for investors – not for dedicated forex speculators.