Before You Start
- Valid EU/EEA passport or national ID card
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, less than 3 months old)
- Smartphone or computer with internet access
- European bank account for funding your brokerage
- Basic understanding of stock market investing
Time needed: 30–60 minutes for setup, plus time to research stocks
What you'll need: Trade Republic and/or DEGIRO account, optional: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) for comparison
Buying US stocks as a European investor in 2026 is easier than ever, but it’s not quite the same as buying European shares. You’ll need to navigate account setup, regulatory forms, currency conversion, and tax implications. This tutorial will guide you step-by-step through the process using two of the most popular and accessible brokers in Europe: Trade Republic and DEGIRO. We’ll also compare them to Interactive Brokers (IBKR) where relevant.
As we covered in our Complete 2026 Beginner’s Guide to Investing in European Stocks, getting started with international investing requires a few extra steps. This deep-dive will focus specifically on how to buy US stocks from Europe, with tested, actionable instructions and EUR-based examples.
Step 1: Choose Your Broker – Trade Republic, DEGIRO, or IBKR?
What to do: Decide which brokerage platform to use for US stock investing. For this tutorial, we’ll focus on Trade Republic and DEGIRO because they are widely available across the EU, offer low fees, and have simple onboarding. IBKR (Interactive Brokers) is also a strong option for advanced users or those with large portfolios. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Trade Republic | DEGIRO | IBKR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €0 | €0 | €0 |
| US stock commission | €1 per trade | €1–2 + €1 handling fee | $0.005 per share, min $1 |
| FX conversion fee | 0.7% | 0.25% | ~0.03% |
| W-8BEN support | Integrated | Integrated | Integrated |
| Tax reporting | Basic, no withholding | Basic, no withholding | Advanced, customisable |
| Ease of use | Very high | High | Medium |
Why it matters: Your choice affects fees, user experience, and tax paperwork. For most beginners, Trade Republic or DEGIRO offers the simplest and cheapest route. IBKR is best if you need advanced features or plan to invest more than €100,000.
Pro Tip
If you want to compare all three apps in detail, check out our 2026 App Features and User Experience Compared guide.
What can go wrong: Signing up with a broker that doesn’t support your country of residence, or that charges hidden currency conversion fees. Always verify up-to-date country support and fee schedules on each broker’s official website.
Step 2: Open and Verify Your Brokerage Account
What to do: Register for your chosen brokerage. The process is now fully digital for all three platforms.
-
Download the app or visit the website:
- Trade Republic – download from App Store/Google Play or use the desktop site
- DEGIRO – sign up via their website
- IBKR – website or mobile app
-
Fill in your personal details:
Name, address, date of birth, tax residency, and national ID number. -
Upload your documents:
Passport or ID card, plus a recent proof of address. -
Complete KYC (Know Your Customer) checks:
Most platforms require a short video call or a selfie for verification. -
Connect your European bank account:
Used for funding and withdrawals. Must match your name.
Why it matters: KYC and identity verification are required by law for anti-money laundering. The process is usually completed in under 20 minutes if you have your documents ready.
Expected outcome: You should receive an email or app notification confirming your account is active—usually within minutes, but sometimes up to 24 hours.
What can go wrong: Blurry document scans, mismatched names, or outdated proof of address can delay approval.
Pro Tip
Use the same full legal name and address as on your bank account to avoid transfer issues later.
For a more general overview of European account setup, see our Step-by-Step 2026 Guide.
Step 3: Complete the W-8BEN Tax Form (US Withholding Tax)
What to do: Fill in the W-8BEN form through your broker’s app/website. This is a US tax form that reduces withholding tax on dividends from 30% to 15% for EU residents, thanks to tax treaties.
- Trade Republic: Prompted during setup or before first US stock purchase. Takes less than 2 minutes—just confirm your details and sign electronically.
- DEGIRO: Go to “Profile” → “Tax” → “W-8BEN” and follow the prompts.
- IBKR: “Settings” → “Tax Forms” → “W-8BEN”.
Why it matters: Without the W-8BEN, you lose 30% of your US dividends to tax instead of 15%. Completing it is mandatory for all non-US investors who want access to US markets.
Expected outcome: Your broker will confirm when the W-8BEN is accepted (usually instantly). You’re now eligible for reduced US dividend withholding tax.
What can go wrong: Entering the wrong tax residency, or skipping this step, means higher taxes and possible restrictions on US trading.
Pro Tip
Revisit your W-8BEN status every 3 years, or if you change your address or citizenship. Brokers may block US trades if it expires.
For more on tax efficiency, see our sibling article on Best Dividend Growth Stocks in Europe for 2026.
Step 4: Fund Your Account in EUR
What to do: Transfer euros from your European bank account to your brokerage account.
- Trade Republic: “Account” → “Deposit” → Copy your unique IBAN and make a SEPA transfer from your bank app. Funds usually arrive in 1–2 business days.
- DEGIRO: “Deposit/Withdraw” → “Add Funds” → Choose SEPA. Follow the instructions to send a transfer.
- IBKR: “Transfer & Pay” → “Transfer Funds” → “Deposit” → Select EUR SEPA.
Why it matters: You must have cleared funds in your account before you can buy US stocks. Both Trade Republic and DEGIRO operate in EUR, so you don’t need a USD account.
Expected outcome: Your EUR balance will appear in your brokerage account, ready to invest.
What can go wrong: Transferring from a joint or business account, wrong reference number, or sending from a non-SEPA bank can delay or block your deposit.
Pro Tip
Use instant SEPA transfers if your bank supports them—funds can arrive in seconds instead of days.
Step 5: Search for the US Stock You Want to Buy
What to do: Use the broker’s search function to find the exact US stock by name or ticker symbol (e.g., “Apple” or “AAPL”).
- Trade Republic: Tap “Search” (magnifying glass icon) → Enter company name or ticker → Select the correct US-listed stock (not an ETF or fractional copy).
- DEGIRO: Use the search bar at the top → Type the ticker (e.g., “MSFT” for Microsoft) → Confirm it’s the NASDAQ or NYSE listing.
Why it matters: Many large companies have multiple listings—make sure you’re buying the actual US stock, not a European depositary receipt or a synthetic instrument.
Expected outcome: You’ll see a price chart, current bid/ask spread, and the “Buy” button for your chosen US stock.
What can go wrong: Accidentally buying a non-US listing (e.g., a German-traded Apple stock), which may have different liquidity and fees.
Pro Tip
Double-check the trading venue—look for “NASDAQ” or “NYSE” in the stock details before buying.
Step 6: Place Your Order (Market or Limit)
What to do: Decide how many shares to buy and place your order. Choose between a “Market” order (buys at the current price) or a “Limit” order (buys only if the price reaches your target).
- Trade Republic: Tap “Buy” → Enter number of shares or amount in EUR (e.g., €500) → Choose “Market” or “Limit” → Review estimated FX rate and total cost → Confirm order.
- DEGIRO: Click “Buy” → Enter quantity → Select “Market” or “Limit” → Set your limit price (if using) → Review FX conversion and fees → Place order.
Why it matters: Market orders are fastest but can execute at a worse price if the US market is volatile. Limit orders give you control but may not fill immediately, especially outside US trading hours.
Expected outcome: Your order will be executed when US markets are open (15:30–22:00 CET, Monday–Friday). You’ll receive a trade confirmation showing the number of shares, price in USD, and total EUR cost (including FX conversion and fees).
What can go wrong: Placing a market order outside US trading hours—your order will queue until the market opens. Sudden price swings can cause higher-than-expected costs.
Pro Tip
For larger purchases (over €1,000), use limit orders to avoid price slippage during volatile US market sessions.
Step 7: Review FX Fees, Trade Confirmations, and Tax Documents
What to do: After your purchase, check the trade confirmation for:
- Number of shares bought
- Price per share in USD
- Total EUR debited (including FX conversion and all fees)
- Timestamp of execution
FX Fees:
- Trade Republic: 0.7% FX markup on EUR→USD conversion
- DEGIRO: 0.25% FX markup
- IBKR: ~0.03% FX markup (lowest, but more complex interface)
Why it matters: FX fees can significantly affect your returns, especially for frequent trading or large sums. Always check the applied exchange rate versus market rates.
Expected outcome: You should now see your US stock position in your portfolio, with the value shown in EUR based on the latest exchange rate.
What can go wrong: Overlooking FX fees can erode returns. Not saving trade confirmations may cause issues at tax time.
Pro Tip
If you plan to invest in US stocks regularly, consider DEGIRO or IBKR for lower FX costs, or batch your trades to reduce the impact of flat fees.
For a cost breakdown, see How to Calculate the True Cost of Investing With Trade Republic vs. DEGIRO in 2026.
Step 8: Understand Tax Treatment for US Stocks as a European Resident
What to do: Record your trades and dividends for tax purposes. Here’s what you need to know:
- Dividends: 15% US withholding tax is automatically deducted if your W-8BEN is filed. You may owe additional local tax, depending on your country.
- Capital gains: Profits from selling US stocks are taxed in your country of residence, not in the US. Keep records of purchase/sale prices and dates.
- Tax reporting: Most brokers provide annual tax statements, but you are responsible for declaring income to your local tax authority.
Why it matters: Failing to report correctly can lead to fines and back taxes. Each EU country has its own rates and rules—consult your local tax office for details.
What can go wrong: Not claiming US withholding tax credits, missing deadlines, or incomplete records.
Pro Tip
Use a spreadsheet or portfolio tracker to log every trade, dividend, and fee in EUR as you go—this makes tax season much easier.
Common Mistakes When Buying US Stocks as a European
- Forgetting the W-8BEN: Results in 30% dividend tax instead of 15%.
- Ignoring FX fees: These can be much higher than trading commissions, especially with frequent small trades.
- Buying the wrong ticker or venue: Accidentally purchasing a European-traded version of a US stock.
- Not checking trading hours: Placing orders when the US market is closed can lead to unexpected execution prices.
- Poor record-keeping: Makes tax reporting stressful and error-prone.
- Assuming brokers handle all taxes: Most EU brokers do not automatically withhold or report local capital gains tax for you.
Next Steps: Growing Your US Stock Portfolio From Europe
Now that you’ve made your first US stock purchase, consider the following:
- Set up automatic monthly investing to build your position over time
- Diversify by adding European stocks or ETFs—see our complete guide
- Analyse sector trends, such as European banks (see our step-by-step guide)
- Stay up to date with new product launches, like S&P 500 options on Trade Republic (read more here)
Remember, successful investing is about consistency, cost awareness, and continuous learning. With the right process, buying US stocks from Europe in 2026 is straightforward—and now you know exactly how to do it.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consider consulting a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.