Which broker is better for Greece traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Greek retail traders evaluating their options in 2026 will find two very different contenders in FBS Max and IG. FBS Max is pitched as a flexible, high-leverage trading account suited to both new and active traders, while IG brings over four decades of market experience and a sterling reputation among European investors. For traders based in Athens, Thessaloniki, or anywhere in Greece, the choice often comes down to regulation, local payment methods, and the balance between cost and stability.
Greece's trading environment is shaped by Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) oversight and ESMA rules that cap retail leverage at 30:1 for major forex pairs. Both brokers operate within this framework, yet FBS Max continues to advertise higher leverage through offshore entities, which falls outside HCMC protection. IG, on the other hand, champions transparency and is heavily regulated in the EU and UK. With deposits available via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and even USDT TRC20 at FBS Max, Greek traders have different levels of convenience when funding their accounts. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulatory safety, local support, and more to help you decide which broker matches your trading style as a Greek retail trader.
| Instrument | FBS Max | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 | Tie |
For Greek traders, spread costs are the most direct factor impacting net profits, especially when trading EUR/USD or other major pairs tied to the eurozone. IG offers tight variable spreads on its direct market access and standard CFD accounts, with an average EUR/USD spread starting around 0.6 pips and a transparent commission structure on certain account tiers. FBS Max, meanwhile, advertises spreads from 0.7 pips with a commission charged per lot, or a commission-free model with wider spreads on its cent and standard accounts.
If you trade several lots per day, the cost difference becomes significant. IG's raw spreads may be more appealing for scalpers in Greece, while FBS Max can suit lower-frequency traders who prefer a zero-commission setup. Also note that Greek traders typically fund in EUR, so any conversion fees from USD-based crypto deposits can add to overall costs.
| Account Type | FBS Max | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS Max | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Greece (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:30 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | FBS Max | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS Max |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS Max |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS Max |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS Max | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform usability is crucial for Greek traders who often toggle between desktop and mobile. FBS Max provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary FBS Trader app, giving retail traders in Greece a full range of charts, technical indicators, and automated trading tools. IG's flagship web platform is widely praised for its clean design, advanced charting suite, and intuitive trade tickets. IG also supports MetaTrader 4 and a dedicated mobile app for fast trade execution.
For Greek users, both platforms are available in English, with Greek-language support limited but accessible. If you prefer algorithmic trading and expert advisors, MT4 and MT5 on FBS Max have an edge. If you value institutional-grade charting and quick snap execution, IG's proprietary platform remains one of the best in the industry.
| Factor | FBS Max | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS Max |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is the heartbeat of active trading. IG operates as a market maker for CFD spreads but offers sophisticated pricing with an execution speed below one second on its proprietary platform. FBS Max uses a mix of STP and market execution, allowing Greek scalpers access to interbank liquidity with high-speed order routing. That said, IG's long-standing liquidity relationships with top-tier banks generally mean tighter fills during volatile Greek trading sessions tied to eurozone news. FBS Max may experience requotes in thin market conditions, so choose IG if consistent execution and minimal slippage are your priority.
| Safety Factor | FBS Max | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulatory trust is a major concern for Greek retail traders, especially after the collapse of local brokers in previous decades. IG is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and its European arm, IG Europe, is authorised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), allowing it to passport services into Greece under MiFID II. FBS Max is offered by FBS Markets Inc., with its European entity FBS Europe Ltd also regulated by CySEC. Neither broker is directly licensed by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), but both can legally serve Greek clients through EU passporting rights.
For Greeks, IG offers the stronger regulatory combination due to its additional FCA supervision. FBS Max, however, points to offshore jurisdictions for higher leverage, which means those accounts are not under HCMC or CySEC protection. Always trade within the regulated EU entity to remain eligible for the Greek Investor Compensation Fund protections.
| Payment Method | FBS Max | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 to 7 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is one of the most practical concerns for Greek traders. Bank Transfer remains the most widely used method for SEPA transfers from Greek banks such as National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, and Alpha Bank. Both FBS Max and IG accept bank transfers tied to your trading account. For those who prefer e-wallets, Skrill and Neteller are supported by both brokers, giving Greek traders fast, low-cost deposits.
Unique to FBS Max, the broker accepts USDT TRC20 crypto payments, which is increasingly popular in Greece among traders who want to fund accounts with stablecoins without bank involvement. IG does not support USDT or any crypto deposits, meaning if you rely on USDT TRC20, FBS Max is your only option. Withdrawals generally follow the same method as the deposit. Note that IG uses EUR as base currency for Greek clients, while FBS Max can hold USD accounts, so consider currency conversion charges when moving funds from local bank accounts.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS Max | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Greek Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant trading will find that both FBS Max and IG offer Islamic, or swap-free, accounts. FBS Max provides a standard swap-free option on its cent, mini, and standard accounts, with no interest charged on overnight positions. IG also offers Islamic accounts for eligible retail clients through its EU-regulated entity, with swap charges replaced by an administration fee after a set holding period.
For Greeks, the key difference is accessibility. FBS Max's Islamic account is easier to activate and available across all account types, while IG's version may require a formal request and proof of faith, and is subject to their client agreement. If you hold positions overnight in EUR/USD or gold, both structures remove riba, but check the fee schedule to see which broker is more cost-effective for your holding patterns.
| Support Feature | FBS Max | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS Max |
Support quality matters when you trade across eurozone time zones. FBS Max offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with Greek language available through their multilingual team. IG provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and a comprehensive help centre, though Greek is not always directly available depending on the support channel. For Greek retail traders, the depth of IG's educational research desk is a valuable addition, while FBS Max responds faster today on social messaging platforms. In a country where local branch offices are scarce, responsive digital support is decisive.
| Mobile Feature | FBS Max | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS Max |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS Max |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | FBS Max | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS Max |
Choose FBS Max if you...
Choose IG if you...
For Greek retail traders in 2026, the better choice depends on your priorities. IG earns a comfortably higher score of 4.2/5 thanks to its bullet-proof regulation, transparent pricing, and excellent execution. It suits traders who bank with Greek institutions and want the safety that comes with a tier-one global name. FBS Max, scoring 3.7/5, is a compelling alternative if you rely on USDT TRC20 payments, want low barriers to entry, or prefer MQL5 expert advisors. However, its offshore-leverage options should be treated with caution. Considering the Hellenic Capital Market Commission's stance on investor protection, we recommend IG for most Greek retail traders. FBS Max is viable only if you stay within its CySEC-regulated European entity and capitalise on the modern payment methods it offers.