Before You Start
- Valid European passport or national ID (for broker verification)
- European bank account (SEPA-compatible)
- Basic understanding of how stock markets and currencies work
- Comfort with online account registration and document uploads
Time needed: 1–2 hours to set up and place your first order (less for future purchases)
What you'll need: Smartphone or computer, internet access, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), and your bank’s IBAN
Investing in US stocks is no longer just for Americans. In 2026, European investors can access Wall Street giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla directly from their EUR bank accounts—all from their smartphone or laptop. However, there are key steps, costs, and tax issues to get right if you want to invest in US stocks from Europe smoothly and efficiently.
As we covered in our comprehensive guide to European stock investing, buying US shares adds complexity—especially around broker choice, currency, tax, and fees. This tutorial breaks down every step, with real EUR examples and platform-specific instructions for 2026’s top brokers: Trade Republic, DEGIRO, and Interactive Brokers.
Step 1: Choose a European Broker That Offers US Stocks
What to do: Select a broker regulated in the EU that provides access to US stock exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ) and accepts EUR deposits. The three most popular in 2026:
- Trade Republic (official site)—app-first, simple EUR deposits, low flat fees
- DEGIRO (official site)—desktop and app, wide market access, per-trade fees, EUR base currency
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR) (official site)—advanced tools, multi-currency, very low commissions
Why it matters: Not every European broker lets you buy real US shares—some only offer “fractional” or synthetic products. Using a reputable, regulated broker ensures your investments are protected under EU law and gives you access to real US shares with clear custody.
What can go wrong: Choosing a broker without EUR deposit options can lead to extra conversion fees. Some brokers restrict access to certain US stocks due to EU PRIIPs regulations (limiting access to US ETFs without a KID document).
Pro Tip
For most beginners, Trade Republic is the simplest option—easy EUR deposits and one flat €1 fee per US stock trade. For advanced investors or those wanting fractional shares, Interactive Brokers offers more flexibility and lower costs per trade.
Step 2: Open and Verify Your Broker Account
What to do: Complete the broker’s online registration, upload your ID and proof of address, and pass any required knowledge checks.
- Trade Republic: Download the app, tap Register, follow prompts, upload your passport/ID, and verify your address. Approval usually within 15–30 minutes.
- DEGIRO: Register on desktop or app, enter your details, upload documents, and complete a quick investor quiz. Approval usually within 24 hours.
- Interactive Brokers: Sign up at interactivebrokers.eu, fill in personal details, answer regulatory questions, upload documents. Approval within 1–2 days.
Why it matters: EU brokers are required to comply with anti-money laundering and investor protection laws. This process ensures your account is secure and that you’re eligible to hold US-listed shares.
What can go wrong: Uploading blurry or mismatched documents (e.g., address not matching your ID) can delay approval. Some brokers require a SEPA bank account in your name—joint or business accounts may be rejected.
Pro Tip
Have your documents ready and use a phone camera for crisp images. If possible, use a recent utility bill or bank statement showing your current address.
Step 3: Deposit EUR Into Your Broker Account
What to do: Transfer funds from your EUR bank account to your broker using SEPA transfer (or instant top-up where available).
- Trade Republic: In the app, tap Profile → Deposit → Bank Transfer. Copy your unique IBAN and send funds from your bank. Minimum deposit: €10. Instant deposits available with some banks.
- DEGIRO: Tap Deposit/Withdraw → Deposit Funds, select SEPA transfer, and follow the on-screen instructions. Minimum deposit: €0.01.
- Interactive Brokers: In the dashboard, go to Transfer & Pay → Transfer Funds → Deposit Funds, choose EUR and set up your SEPA transfer. No minimum deposit, but €2,000+ recommended for lower currency conversion spreads.
Why it matters: Using SEPA keeps costs low (< €1 per transfer, often free). Always deposit from an account in your own name to avoid delays or rejections.
What can go wrong: Depositing from a third-party account (not in your name) will often be rejected. Some brokers may take 1–2 business days to credit SEPA transfers.
Pro Tip
Test your first deposit with a small amount (e.g., €50) to confirm details. For larger sums, check if your broker offers instant EUR top-ups via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Sofort for faster access.
Step 4: Convert EUR to USD (If Required)
What to do: US stocks are priced in USD. Some brokers (like Trade Republic) convert EUR to USD automatically at order time. Others (like Interactive Brokers) let you convert manually for better rates.
- Trade Republic: No manual conversion. EUR is converted to USD at the time of order, using the broker’s rate (typically 0.25%–0.50% markup over interbank rate).
- DEGIRO: By default, DEGIRO auto-converts at order time (0.25% fee), but you can enable “Active” currency conversion for manual FX (cheaper for large amounts).
- Interactive Brokers: You must convert EUR to USD manually. Go to Menu → Convert Currency, enter the amount (e.g., €1,000), review the FX rate and fee (as low as 0.003% commission), and confirm.
Why it matters: The FX conversion fee can eat into your returns—on a €1,000 investment, a 0.5% markup costs you €5. Interactive Brokers offers the lowest FX costs for large conversions.
What can go wrong: Not converting enough USD to cover your trade may cause your order to fail (IBKR). Using “auto FX” for large sums can be significantly more expensive than manual conversion.
Pro Tip
For investments over €2,000, consider converting currency manually with Interactive Brokers to save on FX fees. For small, infrequent trades, the difference is minor.
Step 5: Fill Out the US W-8BEN Tax Form
What to do: Complete the electronic W-8BEN form within your broker’s platform. This declares you’re a non-US resident and reduces US dividend withholding tax from 30% to 15% (thanks to EU–US tax treaties).
- Trade Republic: Prompted automatically before your first US stock purchase. Takes 2–3 minutes.
- DEGIRO: Pop-up appears when buying first US stock. Complete with your tax ID number.
- Interactive Brokers: Go to Settings → Tax Forms → W-8BEN, fill in your details, and submit.
Why it matters: Without this form, you’ll lose 30% of all US dividends to IRS withholding, which is almost impossible to reclaim. With the W-8BEN, only 15% is withheld automatically.
What can go wrong: Failing to submit the W-8BEN means higher tax is withheld. Using incorrect details (especially tax ID) can invalidate the form.
Pro Tip
Double-check your tax ID and personal details before submitting. You only need to do this every three years, or when your personal circumstances change.
Step 6: Place Your First US Stock Order (EUR Example)
What to do: Search for your chosen US stock (e.g., Apple, ticker: AAPL), select the number of shares (or EUR amount), and confirm the purchase.
- Trade Republic: Tap Search → Apple (AAPL) → Buy. Enter the EUR amount (e.g., €500). Review the order summary (shows approx. USD shares, FX rate, €1 fee). Tap Buy Now.
- DEGIRO: Search AAPL, click Buy, enter number of shares (e.g., 2 shares at $200 each ≈ €370), select Market Order or Limit Order, confirm. Review FX rate and €0.50–€1 commission.
- Interactive Brokers: In the app or web, search AAPL, click Buy, enter shares or USD amount, confirm the order. Fees as low as $0.35 per trade (≈€0.32), plus FX conversion if not already done.
EUR Example: If Apple trades at $200 and EUR/USD is 1.10, then €500 ≈ $550. You can buy 2 shares ($400), leaving $150 (≈€136) for future trades. After the trade, you should see “AAPL—2 shares—market value ≈ €400” in your portfolio.
Why it matters: The order type (market vs. limit) and FX rate directly affect your purchase price. Always check the final EUR cost including fees before confirming.
What can go wrong: Placing a market order during US market closure (e.g., 22:00–15:30 CET) may result in unexpected execution prices. Limit orders can expire unfilled if the price isn’t reached.
Pro Tip
If investing a fixed EUR amount, use brokers that support “Buy by EUR amount” (like Trade Republic) for fractional shares. For whole shares, always check the minimum required USD/EUR in your account.
Step 7: Understand Ongoing Costs, Taxes, and Regulatory Issues
What to do: Review the total cost of ownership—including trading fees, FX fees, custody fees, and US withholding tax on dividends.
- Trade Republic: €1 per US share trade, no custody fee, EUR/USD FX markup ~0.3–0.5%, 15% US withholding tax (after W-8BEN), no inactivity fee.
- DEGIRO: €0.50–€1 per US trade, €2.50 annual custody fee, FX markup 0.25% (passive) or lower (active), 15% US withholding tax.
- Interactive Brokers: $0.35 per US trade, no custody fee, FX fee ~0.003%, 15% US withholding tax, possible inactivity fee if below €10,000.
Why it matters: Even small differences in fees and tax treatment can add up over time, especially for dividend-paying US stocks.
What can go wrong: Forgetting to factor in FX and tax can lead to disappointing net returns. Some brokers charge inactivity or custody fees if you don’t trade regularly.
Pro Tip
Reinvest dividends to minimize cash drag. Track all costs and taxes using a spreadsheet or an app—see our guide: How to Track Your Multi-Broker Portfolio as a European (2026 Tutorial).
Common Mistakes When Investing in US Stocks From Europe
- Forgetting to submit the W-8BEN form—resulting in 30% (not 15%) US dividend withholding tax
- Underestimating the impact of currency conversion fees—especially for frequent or large trades
- Buying US ETFs not registered for EU sale (PRIIPs rules)—your broker may block the order or you may get stuck with illiquid products
- Not checking if your chosen broker charges inactivity/custody fees for small or dormant accounts
- Ignoring time zone differences—placing market orders outside US market hours can result in poor pricing
- Failing to declare US dividends correctly on your local tax return—see our dedicated guide: How to Declare US Stock Dividends on Your European Tax Return in 2026
Next Steps: Building Your US Stock Portfolio From Europe
Congratulations—you’ve placed your first US stock order from Europe! To build a resilient portfolio, consider these next moves:
- Expand your holdings—add more US stocks, or diversify with EUR-denominated ETFs (see: Best EUR Money Market ETFs for European Investors in 2026)
- Review and rebalance—track your portfolio performance, FX exposure, and overall costs regularly
- Learn more about advanced topics—see our sibling article: Interactive Brokers vs. Trade Republic for EUR Stock Investors—2026 Platform Deep Dive
- Stay updated—follow sector trends (like AI and ESG) covered in our articles: Nvidia’s European Partners Surge After AI Chip Announcements and How Does ESG Scoring Work in 2026?
For a broader look at building wealth with both EU and US shares, see our Comprehensive 2026 Guide to European Stock Investing.
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.