How to Buy Fractional US Stocks as a European on DEGIRO in 2026

Buying fractional US stocks lets you invest in high-priced companies (like Amazon or Tesla) without needing hundreds or thousands of euros per share. As of 2026, DEGIRO—one of Europe’s leading brokers—has rolled out fractional US stock trading for retail clients in several EU countries. Here’s a step-by-step guide tailored for European investors, including practical EUR-based examples, tips, and pitfalls to avoid.

Step 1: Open and Verify Your DEGIRO Account

What to do:

• Go to DEGIRO’s official website and click “Open an Account.”
• Fill in your personal details: name, address, date of birth, email, etc.
• Upload a valid passport/ID and proof of address (e.g., utility bill or bank statement, dated within the last 3 months).
• Connect your SEPA bank account (must match your name for security reasons).
• Complete the investor questionnaire (basic risk profiling, required by EU law).
• Wait for verification—typically 1–2 business days.

Why it matters: Only verified accounts can trade. Your bank account must match your name, or DEGIRO will block withdrawals.

What can go wrong: Name mismatches, unclear documents, or expired IDs will delay or block your account approval.

Step 2: Fund Your Account in EUR

What to do:

• Log in to your DEGIRO account (web or app).
• Navigate to “Deposit/Withdraw” and select “Deposit.”
• Choose your linked bank account and enter the deposit amount (e.g., €100).
• Follow the instructions for a SEPA bank transfer (you’ll receive a unique reference code—include this in your transfer).

Why it matters: Funding in EUR is standard for EU clients—DEGIRO will handle currency conversion when you buy US stocks.

What can go wrong: Forgetting the reference code can delay your deposit. Deposits from a non-linked account will be rejected.

Step 3: Check Which US Stocks Support Fractional Trading

What to do:

• On DEGIRO’s platform, search for your desired US stock (e.g., “Apple”).
• Look for the “fractional” or “part share” icon next to the stock name.
• Alternatively, visit DEGIRO’s official list of supported fractional US stocks (updated quarterly).

Why it matters: Not every US stock is available for fractional trading. As of 2026, major S&P 500 names (Apple, Tesla, Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta) are supported, but many small caps are not.

What can go wrong: If you try to enter a fractional order for a non-supported stock, you’ll get an error and be unable to proceed.

Step 4: Understand EUR-USD Conversion and Fees

What to do:

• Before trading, check DEGIRO’s current EUR/USD conversion fee (typically 0.25%–0.30% as of 2026).
• Read the official fee schedule (see “Currency handling fee”).
• Note: All US stock purchases will be converted at DEGIRO’s quoted FX rate, which is less favourable than interbank rates.

Why it matters: Currency conversion eats into your returns. For example, if you buy $100 of Apple shares with €95 (at EUR/USD 1.05), the actual amount invested after fees will be slightly lower.

What can go wrong: Underestimating FX costs can skew your expected returns, especially for frequent or small trades.

Step 5: Place Your Fractional US Stock Order

What to do:

• In your DEGIRO account, search for your chosen US stock (e.g., “Amazon”).
• Click “Buy.”
• Under “Order Type”, select “Market” (recommended for beginners) or “Limit” (if you want to control your entry price).
• Enter the amount you want to invest in EUR (e.g., €50) or the fraction of a share (e.g., 0.15 shares).
• Review the estimated number of shares and the FX conversion preview.
• Confirm the order. DEGIRO will process the trade at the next available US market session.

Why it matters: Fractional orders let you specify an exact EUR amount, making budgeting easier. Orders are executed during US trading hours (15:30–22:00 CET, Mon–Fri).

What can go wrong: Placing orders outside US market hours will delay execution until markets open. Market orders during volatile periods may execute at unfavourable prices.

Step 6: Review Your Portfolio and Confirm Your Purchase

What to do:

• Once executed, go to “Portfolio” in DEGIRO and locate your new holding. Fractional shares will display as decimals (e.g., “0.18 AAPL”).
• Check the EUR equivalent value and the number of shares owned.
• Review the trade confirmation email from DEGIRO for transaction details (FX rate, fees, execution price).

Expected outcome: You should now see your US stock holding with a decimal share amount and an approximate EUR value (e.g., “0.18 Amazon, €54.12”).

Why it matters: Reviewing your trade ensures the correct amount was invested and that all fees are as expected. Mistakes can sometimes happen, especially if you’re new to the platform.

What can go wrong: If you don’t see your shares or the EUR value looks off, contact DEGIRO support immediately. Double-check you traded the correct ticker (e.g., AAPL for Apple, not a lookalike).

Step 7: Understand Fees, Dividends, and Tax Implications

What to do:

• Check DEGIRO’s fees page for the latest commission structure. As of 2026, US stock trading is typically €1.00 + 0.25% FX fee per order.
• Dividends from US stocks are paid in USD, converted to EUR on payment. You’ll receive your share of dividends even for fractional holdings (e.g., if Apple pays $0.25 per share and you own 0.20 shares, you’ll receive $0.05 minus withholding tax, converted to EUR).
• US dividends are subject to 15%–30% withholding tax (usually 15% if you complete the W-8BEN form in DEGIRO’s platform).
• All capital gains and dividends must be declared in your country of residence. DEGIRO provides annual tax reports, but local rules vary (e.g., France, Germany, Netherlands all have different filing requirements).

Why it matters: Taxes can significantly affect your net returns. Failing to declare foreign income can result in fines or audits.

What can go wrong: Not submitting the W-8BEN form will result in 30% US withholding tax on dividends instead of 15%. Forgetting to declare gains or dividends in your annual tax return can cause legal trouble.

Common Mistakes When Buying Fractional US Stocks on DEGIRO

• Trying to buy unsupported stocks fractionally: Only certain large-cap US stocks are eligible. Always check DEGIRO’s list before funding your account.
• Ignoring FX fees: Small, frequent trades can add up in conversion costs. Batch your purchases when possible.
• Not completing tax forms: Missing the W-8BEN form means higher US dividend tax—easy to avoid and costly if missed.
• Assuming dividends scale perfectly: Fractional holders receive dividends proportional to their share, but minor rounding differences may occur.
• Buying outside market hours: Orders placed when US markets are closed will execute later, sometimes at a different price than expected.

Next Steps

• Explore how other European brokers handle fractional investing, fees, and tax to compare your options.
• Read our guide to buying whole US shares as a European if you’re ready to expand beyond fractionals.
• Regularly review your portfolio to stay on top of fees, dividends, and tax documentation.
• Stay informed about DEGIRO’s updates—supported stocks and fee structures can change over time.

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.