How to Use DEGIRO’s ETF Core Selection to Lower Your Costs in 2026

DEGIRO’s ETF Core Selection is a little-known feature that can help European investors buy top ETFs with no commission fees—if you follow the rules. This guide walks you through the process, with practical steps, real EUR examples, and crucial tips to avoid common mistakes. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to use this tool to build your ETF portfolio more efficiently in 2026.

Step 1: Understand DEGIRO’s ETF Core Selection and Why It Matters

DEGIRO’s ETF Core Selection is a curated list of ETFs that you can buy and sell once per calendar month, per ETF, without paying DEGIRO’s standard commission. This is a significant cost advantage, especially for regular investors or those starting with modest amounts.

• Why it matters: Standard DEGIRO ETF commissions are typically €2 per trade. Over a year, this adds up, especially with monthly investing. The Core Selection lets you invest more efficiently, keeping more of your returns.
• What can go wrong: If you make more than one trade per ETF per month, or don’t follow the rules (see Step 4), you’ll be charged normal fees. Not all ETFs are included, and the list changes annually.

For background about ETF investing in Europe, see The Complete Guide to ETF Investing for European Beginners in 2026.

Step 2: Find the Current Core Selection List

DEGIRO updates its ETF Core Selection list yearly (link is for Ireland; see your country’s DEGIRO site for local lists). Each ETF is listed with its ticker, ISIN, and eligible trading venue (e.g., XETRA, Euronext Amsterdam).

1. Go to the official DEGIRO Core Selection PDF.
2. Filter for ETFs listed in EUR (look for “EUR” in the currency column).
3. Take note of the ETF’s ISIN (e.g., EUNL: IE00B4L5Y983) and the correct exchange (e.g., XETRA, EAM).

• Why it matters: Only trades on the specified exchange and in the listed currency are commission-free. Buying the same ETF on a different exchange or in a different currency will incur fees.
• What can go wrong: Accidentally buying the wrong share class or on the wrong exchange will mean you pay standard commissions.

Step 3: Fund Your DEGIRO Account in EUR

Before you can buy any ETF, you need to fund your account. DEGIRO accepts bank transfers from EU accounts, usually in 1-2 business days.

1. Log in to your DEGIRO account.
2. Click “Deposit/Withdraw” from the platform menu.
3. Follow the instructions to transfer EUR from your bank to your DEGIRO IBAN (shown in your account).

• Expected outcome: Your available cash balance will update, showing your deposited amount in EUR.
• What can go wrong: Transferring from a non-EU bank, or in a different currency, can cause delays or extra FX fees.

Step 4: Select an ETF from the Core Selection and Place Your Order

With your account funded, you’re ready to invest. Here’s how to select and buy an eligible Core Selection ETF—step by step:

1. On the DEGIRO platform, use the search bar to enter the ETF’s ISIN (e.g., IE00B4L5Y983 for iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF).
2. Find the EUR-denominated version, listed on the correct exchange (e.g., XETRA or EAM as per the Core Selection list).
3. Click “Buy” on the ETF details page.
4. Enter the number of shares you wish to purchase (for example, 1 share at €115).
5. Select “Market Order” for simplicity, or “Limit Order” if you want price control (recommended for larger trades or volatile markets).
6. Check that the “Estimated Costs” field shows €0 commission. There may still be a small external handling fee (usually €1 per trade, as of 2026), but DEGIRO’s own commission should be zero.
7. Confirm your order. You should see a confirmation screen with your new ETF holding and the amount invested (e.g., 1 share at €115, total cost €116 with the external fee).

• Why it matters: This is where the cost savings happen. Commission-free investing means you can invest smaller amounts without being penalised by fees.
• What can go wrong: Buying more than one trade per ETF per calendar month (see Step 5), using the wrong exchange, or buying a non-Core ETF will result in normal fees.

Step 5: Follow the Core Selection Rules to Remain Commission-Free

To keep your trades commission-free, you must:

• Make only one buy and/or one sell transaction per ETF per calendar month (per ISIN, per exchange, per direction)
• Any additional trades in the same ETF during the same month (in the same direction) will incur standard commission fees
• Be aware that a “buy” and a “sell” in the same ETF in the same month are both commission-free, but a second “buy” or “sell” is not

For example, if you buy 1 share of EUNL on XETRA in June, your first purchase is commission-free. If you buy another share of EUNL on XETRA in June, you will pay the normal commission on the second purchase.

• Why it matters: This rule is the most common point of confusion—and the main way investors accidentally incur fees.
• What can go wrong: Setting up an automatic monthly investment plan for the same ETF is fine, but manually placing multiple trades in one month will cost extra.

Step 6: Compare the Cost Savings (Core vs. Non-Core ETF Example)

Let’s see the real impact of using the Core Selection:

• Scenario A (Core Selection): You buy 1 share of EUNL (Core Selection) for €115. DEGIRO commission: €0. External handling fee: €1.
  Total cost: €116.
• Scenario B (Non-Core ETF): You buy 1 share of a non-Core ETF for €115. DEGIRO commission: €2. External handling fee: €1.
  Total cost: €118.

If you invest monthly for a year, the savings are €24 (€2 x 12 months). Over a decade, that adds up to €240, not including compound growth on the saved fees.

For more on choosing the right ETF, see our comparison: IWDA vs. CSPX: Which Global ETF Should Europeans Pick in 2026?

Common Mistakes

• Trading more than once per ETF per month: This triggers standard commissions. Always combine your intended purchases into a single monthly trade.
• Buying on the wrong exchange: Only the specified exchange (e.g., XETRA) is commission-free. Double-check before confirming.
• Choosing the wrong share class or currency: Only the specific ISIN and currency listed are eligible.
• Ignoring the small external handling fee: While DEGIRO’s commission is zero, you’ll still pay a small external fee (usually €1 per trade).
• Assuming the list is static: DEGIRO updates its Core Selection annually. Always check the latest list before making a new investment.

Next Steps

• Review your ETF choices, focusing on those in the Core Selection that match your investment goals.
• Set a recurring reminder to invest once per month, or use DEGIRO’s recurring investment feature for automation.
• Read our guide on ETF Savings Plans on Trade Republic and DEGIRO to compare platforms.
• For broader diversification strategies, see How to Diversify Your Portfolio with European Sector ETFs.

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.