Buying stocks

Stocks, also known as shares, represent ownership in a company. When you buy a stock, you are essentially purchasing a small part of that business. The value of stocks can change over time, influenced by factors like company performance, market trends and economic conditions. Stocks can provide returns through price growth or dividends, but this is not guaranteed. In the same way, you may lose your invested capital. Ownership also gives you voting rights in some companies.

Starting to invest in stocks with us is straightforward. A DEGIRO account gives you access to 45+ exchanges across 30 countries, allowing you to invest in Irish companies or global giants like Tesla, Netflix or Apple. After opening your account and funding it, you can use our platform or app to search, analyse and place stock orders. We also offer resources like the Investor’s Academy and educational videos to help beginners understand how to choose their first stocks and develop an investment strategy.

To open a DEGIRO account, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold valid identification documentation, such as a passport.
• Be a resident of a country where we operate.
• Have a European bank account in your name to fund your investments.

Once your account has been verified, you can make a deposit and start investing.

We offer some of the most competitive fees in the market, making stock investing accessible to everyone.

• Euronext Dublin: €2 commission + €1 handling fee per trade.
• European stock exchanges: €3.90 commission + €1 handling fee per trade.
• US stock exchanges: €1 commission + €1 handling fee per trade.

Additional costs may apply, such as:

• Currency conversion fees for stocks traded in foreign currencies.
• Connectivity fees for accessing specific international markets.
• External spread costs.

For a complete overview of all fees, check out our fees page.

Investing in stocks can offer growth opportunities, but it also involves risks. The value of stocks can fluctuate, and you may lose your invested capital. Key risks to consider include:

• Market risk: Stock prices can rise and fall due to changes in economic conditions, market sentiment or broader financial developments.
• Company-specific risk: The performance of a stock depends on the financial health and prospects of the company. If a company performs poorly or goes bankrupt, the value of its shares may decline significantly or become worthless.
• Volatility risk: Stock prices can fluctuate sharply over short periods, which may result in rapid gains or losses.
• Liquidity risk: Some stocks may be harder to sell quickly at a fair price, especially during periods of market stress.
• Currency risk: When investing in stocks listed in a foreign currency, exchange rate movements can affect your returns.

Diversifying your investments and making sure they align with your knowledge, experience and financial situation can help manage risk.

Keeping your investments and money safeguarded is our top priority. Your assets are held with a separate custodian entity (SPV), separate from ours. This structure ensures that your investments remain protected in the event we face financial difficulties .