How to Buy European Stocks: A Guide for 2023 • Benzinga (2024)

You might be surprised at how easy it can be to trade in an online account if you want to invest or trade in European stocks. There are a number of ways you can participate in the European stock market. We’ll guide you through a few different methods so you can choose one that best fits your situation.

Table of Contents [Show]

  • Overview: Buying European Stocks Outside of Europe
  • How to Buy European Stocks
  • Final Thoughts on Buying European Stocks
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Overview: Buying European Stocks Outside of Europe

Online stock trading is the best way to buy foreign stocks. Whether you’re based in the United States or any other part of the world, there’s a good chance you can buy a selection of the top European stocks through an online stockbroker.

Do you want direct access to European markets, participate in new offerings and trade in other European equities such as bonds? You may want to open an online account with a stockbroker based in the European Union that accepts clients from your country. This may require you to deposit funds in euros, although many international brokers accept U.S. dollars and U.K. pound sterling.

A large number of the bigger European publicly-traded companies have dual listings on other world stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Many European stocks without a dual listing still trade on U.S. exchanges through American depositary receipts (ADRs), on U.K. exchanges through European depositary receipts (EDRs) and on other world exchanges through global depositary receipts (GDRs).

Another way to participate in the European stock market involves buying mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that conduct the majority of their business in the European Union. You could buy shares in an index fund based on European investments in addition to ETFs and mutual funds.

Many prominent U.S. companies now derive half of their income from international operations. You may already inadvertently be investing in the European market if you invest in U.S. blue-chip stocks. As more U.S. and other international companies expand their businesses abroad, stockholders of those firms benefit from greater participation in international markets.

How to Buy European Stocks

Take a look at these steps on how to buy stocks in Europe.

Step 1: Choose how you want to buy.

Have you considered buying shares in a mutual fund or ETF? Buying an ETF or mutual fund means you could participate in the European market without holding any individual stocks. It could be one of the most cost-effective ways to buy European stocks.

You can use your existing trading account or open an account with a reputable online broker, and many European stocks can be purchased through ADRs, EDRs or GDRs.

More experienced traders and investors who want to buy European stocks can use an international broker, preferably based in the EU. You can also use a broker based in your country of origin as long as it has access to European stocks.

Step 2: Develop a plan.

Have a well-thought-out investment or trading plan before you begin buying stocks. Take some time to define your investment time horizon, how much you expect as a return and what percentage of your portfolio you’d like to diversify with European stocks.

Work out a trading strategy if you plan to trade European stocks. Trading without a strategy or a clear set of trading rules generally spells disaster for most novice traders and could be one of the reasons most people who begin trading in the forex market fail. Many online brokers offer virtual or demo accounts that can help you backtest and apply your trading strategy in a realistic market situation.

You can also choose to join a social trading platform and follow a trader with a proven track record. You can copy the social trader’s trades in your own account if you don’t want to work out your own trading plan.

Step 3: Pick a broker.

Open several demo accounts to get an idea of the type of service and trading platform you prefer once you start trading in a live funded account.

A broker based in the EU might be best when you want to trade European stocks, depending on where you’re located and the broker you have in mind.

Make sure the stockbroker you choose complies with the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) and its recent MiFIR revision that provides a regulatory framework for financial firms that operate in the EU.

Many brokers based outside of the United States refuse to take U.S. customers due to the stringent regulatory requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Futures Association (NFA) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). These U.S. regulators are responsible for overseeing the various securities and derivatives markets based in the United States.

Best For

  • Experienced Traders

securely through Freedom Finance's website

Freedom Finance

When you use Freedom Finance, you get unprecedented access to IPOs along with the ability to trade stocks, ETFs, bonds and assorted securities. The platform focuses on bringing dividends back to you, and it provides a savings account that makes money management that much simpler.

The D Account allows you to save your money with a 3% per year interest rate. You can also complete a currency swap if you prefer.

With over 1 million financial instruments to choose from, you can use Freedom’s quality mobile app or reach out to the customer service team via live chat, phone or email. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard or bank draft, and there are currently zero commissions for 30 days for new clients.

Best For

  • Active and Global Traders

Securely through Interactive Brokers’ website

Interactive Brokers

You might consider Interactive Brokers if you’re based in the United States, the U.K. or any other country.

Interactive Brokers has oversight from the NFA, the CFTC and is regulated in most jurisdictions where the broker operates, including the EU.

This international broker gives you access to over 120 world markets, including stock markets based in the EU so you can buy European stocks. You can also maintain your account in multiple currencies to take advantage of favorable currency moves.

Interactive Brokers offers some of the most competitive margin and commission rates in the business. The main disadvantages include inactivity fees and a high minimum deposit requirement of $10,000.

Fidelity and Charles Schwab

Two other established U.S.-based brokers provide international brokerage services and have full oversight by the SEC: Fidelity Investments, which has no minimum deposit requirement, and Charles Schwab‘s Global One Account, which requires a minimum deposit of $25,000.

Do you plan to trade U.S. blue-chip stocks with exposure to the European market or only plan to trade European stocks with ADRs listed on the NYSE?

  • Fidelity Investments

    More Details

    Best For

    Stock Research

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    securely through Fidelity Investments's website

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  • Charles Schwab

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    Fund Investing

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    securely through Charles Schwab's website

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Robinhood and Webull

You can open an account with a commission-free broker like Robinhood or Webull. Robinhood offers free stock trading on most European stocks listed on U.S. exchanges as ADRs.

  • Robinhood

    More Details

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    Beginners

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    securely through Robinhood's website

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  • Webull

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    Intermediate Traders and Investors

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    securely through Webull's app

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Best For

  • Serious Forex Traders

securely through Saxo Bank Forex's website

Saxo Bank

Traders and investors outside of the United States have other choices that may not be available to U.S.-based traders. For example, Saxo Bank is an investment bank based in Denmark and allows its clients to trade EU stocks in addition to a wide range of other tradable assets.

Saxo Bank has an excellent research department and has oversight from 10 top financial regulators. Saxo Bank’s brokerage services are also available to traders in many jurisdictions outside of the EU.

Best For

  • Demo Accounts

securely through eToro Stocks's website

eToro

Israel-based eToro offers social trading in the U.K. and in Australia. This means the broker is overseen by both the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

All other accounts go through its EU office in Cyprus, which complies with the MiFID and MiFIR regulations. eToro provides an excellent trading platform for social trading in stocks, currencies and a wide range of contracts for difference (CFDs).

Step 4: Start trading.

Plan a strategy to guide your trading or investing, as well as a prudent money management component to avoid putting too much money at risk on any particular stock.

Apply your research so you know which sectors and European stocks would be the most profitable for trading or investing. European stocks can offer the same or better returns than many U.K. or U.S. stocks and many of them can be bought through ADRs, EDRs or GDRs, depending on where you’re located.

Mutual funds or ETFs might help you invest indirectly and in a diversified manner. Many U.S.-based brokers offer commission-free trading in mutual funds and low commissions on ETFs.

Final Thoughts on Buying European Stocks

Buying European stocks is a great way to diversify a large portfolio and to get investment and trading opportunities not available with U.S. or U.K. stocks. Another advantage to establishing positions in European stocks means you’ll be able to take advantage of currency fluctuations and capital appreciation during times of strength in the EU economies, especially if the U.S. economy and currency show signs of weakness.

The U.S. Fed Funds Rate is at a current rate of 2.5%, which is high compared with the negative -0.4% benchmark interest rate the ECB has set. The current interest rate differential favors holding the U.S. dollar compared to the euro. U.S. stock markets have recently hit new highs, while stock indices from the U.K., Germany and France hit major highs early in 2018. They now seem to be consolidating at lower levels.

Another key consideration to take into account when considering purchasing European stocks involves the market risks related to the upcoming Brexit date on October 31, 2019. This major event could strongly affect capital markets and the economies in both the U.K. and the EU, in addition to having a lasting impact on the political and economic integrity of the European Union.

Finally, after the results of the recent EU parliamentary elections, populist candidates from Italy, France and the U.K. won seats by a wide margin. If this trend continues, it could lead to a further weakening of the European Union and the euro. You may want to exercise extreme caution for U.S.-based investors who want to buy European equities down the road.

Want to learn more about investing? Check out Benzinga's guides to the best online brokerages, the best online investing courses and the best investing books for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What are the different ways I can invest in European stocks?

A

You can buy European stocks through ADRs, mutual funds, ETFs or through a broker with access.

Q

How much of my portfolio should I invest in European stocks?

A

You want to invest from 15% to 25% in these areas.

How to Buy European Stocks: A Guide for 2023 • Benzinga (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to invest in European stocks? ›

The easiest way to invest in the whole European stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at a low cost by using ETFs. In this curated investment guide, you will find all ETFs that allow you to invest broadly diversified in European stocks. Currently, there are 24 ETFs available.

Where can you buy European stocks? ›

Best stock brokers for Europeans in 2023 Non-trading fees
BrokerAccount feeInactivity fee
FidelityNo account feeNo inactivity fee
TD AmeritradeNo account feeNo inactivity fee
Merrill EdgeNo account feeNo inactivity fee
Charles SchwabNo account feeNo inactivity fee
6 more rows

Is there any ETF for Europe Index? ›

Europe Equities ETFs offer investors exposure to companies domiciled in Europe. These ETFs can offer broad exposure to stocks from European countries, or can focus on certain developed or emerging markets.

What is the best way to buy a foreign stock? ›

The easiest way to add international stocks to your portfolio is by investing in U.S.-registered mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that track foreign markets. Why U.S.-registered? To avoid potential risks and costs associated with investing in foreign markets (more on that below).

What brokerage should I use Europe? ›

Best trading platforms in Europe
#1Interactive BrokersBest Overall
#2eToroBest for social trading and commission-free investing
#3Freedom24Best for new stocks at the IPO price
#4DEGIROBest for zero-commission ETF trading
#5Plus500Ideal for CFD trading
Jun 3, 2023

Can Americans invest in European stock market? ›

Another way to invest in the European stock market is to buy foreign stocks through American Depository Receipts (ADRs). In some cases, American Depository Receipts are sponsored by the foreign company itself.

What is the equivalent of QQQ for Europe? ›

The Nasdaq 100 index

In the USA, the popular QQQ ETF, which tracks the Nasdaq 100, has been available since 1999. It is managed by Invesco. The European counterpart of this ETF uses the ticker symbol eQQQ.

Is there a European index like the S&P 500? ›

Besides countries from the Eurozone, like France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy, you also have exposure to Great Britain, Switzerland and Scandinavian countries. Due to its broad market exposure, the STOXX Europe 600 index is often quoted as the European equivalent of the U.S. focused S&P 500 index.

What is the equivalent of Vanguard in Europe? ›

Vanguard ETFs/Index Funds Alternatives in Europe

IShares: As a subsidiary of Blackrock, iShares is the largest provider of ETFs in the world. You can find any asset class under this umbrella structure. In Europe, you will find 340+ ETFs from this provider alone.

How do I start investing in foreign stocks? ›

Ways of Overseas Investment for Indian Residents under the Overseas Portfolio Investment
  1. Investment in shares of listed foreign entities. ...
  2. Investment in international mutual funds. ...
  3. Investment in listed debt instruments. ...
  4. Acquisition of foreign securities by way of inheritance. ...
  5. Acquisition of foreign securities by way of gift.
Jan 25, 2023

Are international stocks cheaper than US stocks? ›

Reason 1: International stocks tend to be much cheaper than U.S. ones. The U.S. stock market is well below its highs but is considered expensive compared to most of its foreign counterparts. When we say "expensive," we are not talking about the market price at which you can buy or sell a share of stock.

How to buy foreign stocks online? ›

How do I buy stocks internationally?
  1. Find an online broker that allows online trading on international stock exchanges. Be sure to check that any specific international markets you're interested in are available. ...
  2. Open a brokerage account. ...
  3. Fund your account. ...
  4. Do your research and buy your international shares.
Feb 16, 2023

What are the European ETFs for 2023? ›

Based on data, the top four European ETFs in 2023 are EZU, FEZ, EWG, and EWQ. Each of these funds sports cheaper valuations than the US market and is under heavy accumulation. Consider them on any meaningful pullback if you're looking to add European exposure.

Can I buy European stocks on TD Ameritrade? ›

As a TD Direct Investing client, you can trade securities on the international markets and exchanges listed below. There may be a minimum trading amount requirement depending on the exchange you want to trade on. It usually takes two days from the transaction date for the security to show as a holding in your account.

Which European Index Fund is best? ›

Here are the best Europe Stock funds
  • SPDR® Portfolio Europe ETF.
  • iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF.
  • Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF.
  • JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF.
  • Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF.
  • WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend ETF.
  • SPDR® EURO STOXX 50 ETF.

Does Ameritrade work in Europe? ›

TD Ameritrade opens accounts to residents of over 100 countries. The few exceptions include the European Union, Canada, and Australia, but “there are lots of buts and ifs on it”.

What is the most popular European stock market? ›

Europe's biggest stock exchange is the Euronext which combines five markets based in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, London, Oslo and Paris.

Does TD Ameritrade allow international trading? ›

Place online trades for virtually any domestic stocks, international stocks via ADRs1, or initial public offerings (IPOs)2 whenever TD Ameritrade is a member of the selling group and you qualify.

Can I buy foreign stocks on Fidelity? ›

What you can do. Trade in 25 countries with the flexibility to settle in either U.S. dollars or the local currency. Exchange between 16 different currencies, offering you the potential to capitalize on foreign exchange fluctuations. Trade domestic and international stocks in a single account.

How do I buy Euronext stocks? ›

How to invest in the Euronext Stock Exchange
  1. Choose a broker or trading platform. If you want to invest in the Euronext Stock Exchange, you'll need to pick a platform or broker that lists European stocks directly or via Euronext-focused ETFs.
  2. Open a share trading account. ...
  3. Deposit funds. ...
  4. Buy Euronext stocks.
Apr 30, 2022

How much foreign stock should I own? ›

How much should be invested internationally? In general, Vanguard recommends that at least 20% of your overall portfolio should be invested in international stocks and bonds.

Who is the largest ETF provider in Europe? ›

BlackRock and Vanguard captured the lion's share of ETF flows in Europe last year as investors opted for low-cost passive strategies amid a turbulent market environment while DWS and PIMCO suffered outflows.

Why can't Europeans buy American ETFs? ›

Is it possible to buy US ETFs for EU retail clients? No, since 2018 EU residents can't trade US-domiciled ETFs because of EU legislation that most US-registered ETFs have not bothered to deal with. For most EU traders and investors this means US ETFs are not possible to trade for the foreseeable future.

Why are US ETFs not available in Europe? ›

The reason why US-domiciled ETFs are not available for European investors can be summed up in one word: compliance. To be allowed on EU markets, US-domiciled ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are required to produce documentation according to standards prescribed by MiFID, the EU's legal framework for securities trading.

How to invest in S&P 500 as European? ›

It is, however, impossible to directly buy the S&P 500 index. What you can do is invest in the S&P 500 through an instrument replicating every movement of the S&P 500, like an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). The table below shows the five biggest S&P 500 ETFs available to Europeans.

How to invest in index funds in Europe? ›

In Europe, there are three ways to do index investing:
  1. Through a broker. A broker is a middleman that gives you access to the stock markets and allows you to buy and sell ETFs. ...
  2. With Curvo. ...
  3. With a financial advisor, where you receive guidance but still manage your investments.
Dec 23, 2022

What is the German equivalent of the sp500? ›

The DAX was created in 1988 and tracks 30 of the largest German companies, listed on the Frankfurt Exchange.

Who is Vanguard's largest competitor? ›

Vanguard's competitors
  • Vanguard.
  • Franklin Templeton.
  • Fidelity Investments.
  • Merrill Lynch.
  • TIAA.
  • BlackRock.
  • Edward Jones.

What are the best European ETFs that track the S&P 500 index? ›

The best S&P 500 ETFs for Belgians
  • Xtrackers S&P 500 Accumulating (IE000Z9SJA06)
  • iShares Core S&P 500 Accumulating (IE00B5BMR087)
  • Vanguard S&P 500 Accumulating (IE00BFMXXD54)
  • Invesco S&P 500 Accumulating (IE00B3YCGJ38)
  • Invesco S&P 500 Distributing (IE00BYML9W36)
  • iShares S&P 500 ESG Accumulating (IE000R9FA4A0)
Mar 17, 2023

Is Fidelity available in Europe? ›

Regardless of where you move, the following applies: Fidelity does not provide discretionary asset management services to customers who reside outside the United States. The services provided by our representatives are limited to those that are ministerial or administrative in nature.

Is it worth it to invest in foreign stocks? ›

International stocks can give a lift to your stock portfolio when U.S. stocks are stuck in the mud. Over the long term, this should smooth out volatility in your stock market returns, investing experts say.

Which one is best app for trading? ›

  1. PayTM Money. Paytm Money is registered with SEBI as a stockbroker and investment advisor. ...
  2. Zerodha Kite. Zerodha Kite is an all-in-one trading solution for people. ...
  3. Angel One App. ...
  4. Upstox Pro Trading app. ...
  5. Groww App. ...
  6. 5paisa App. ...
  7. ICICI Direct App. ...
  8. Edelweiss App.

Does Robinhood do foreign stocks? ›

You can invest in over 5,000 securities with Robinhood Financial, including most U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) listed on U.S. exchanges. We're also excited to offer options trading and access to over 650 global stocks through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs).

How will international stocks do in 2023? ›

Key takeaways. Many non-US stock markets may struggle in 2023 due to high inflation, rising interest rates, and slowing economic growth. The Ukraine war, rising nationalism, and the legacy of COVID are all helping to slow globalization which lifted non-US markets over the past 30 years.

Are international stocks outperforming? ›

International stocks are broadly outperforming this quarter, decoupling from the U.S. to an unusual extent, according to DataTrek Research. “Non-US stocks have decoupled from domestic equities by a statistically unusual degree over the last 50 days,” said Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek, in a note Tuesday.

Do US stocks outperform international stocks? ›

History suggests that international stocks may continue to outperform. Since 1975, the outperformance cycle for US vs. international stocks has lasted an average of eight years. We're currently 12.1 years into the current cycle of US outperformance based on 5-year monthly rolling returns.

Can Charles Schwab be used outside US? ›

We can help you invest in U.S. markets while living abroad, access U.S. dollar–based accounts, and provide reporting for U.S. tax filing.

How do I open a Charles Schwab international account? ›

How do I open an account? To apply for a Schwab One International® account, simply prepare the required supporting documents and go through the online account opening process. Once the account is fully established, you can fund your account and start investing.

Can you buy foreign stocks on the NYSE? ›

Over 530 of the world's largest and most influential international companies are listed on the NYSE, spanning across 45 countries. We help fuel the visions of today's greatest leaders, icons and innovators, providing access to the resources they need to raise capital and change the world.

What is the equivalent of Robinhood for Europe? ›

ProductsStocks, ETFs, Bonds, Futures and Options, new shares at initial (IPO) price. Founded in 2013, Freedom24 is the only European broker, listed on NASDAQ. The company has more than 400,000+ worldwide clients and offers direct access to the largest exchanges of USA, Europe and Asia with low trading fees.

What are the 2 biggest stock exchanges in Europe? ›

The Largest Stock Exchanges in Europe
RankStock ExchangeMarket Cap (Billions of US Dollars)
1Euronext4,388
2London Stock Exchange4,297
3Deutsche Borse2,181
4SIX Swiss Exchange1,649
1 more row

Can you buy European stocks on Robinhood? ›

You can open an account with a commission-free broker like Robinhood or Webull. Robinhood offers free stock trading on most European stocks listed on U.S. exchanges as ADRs.

Does Robinhood work in Europe? ›

You can access your Robinhood account in almost all countries, with the exception of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea region of Ukraine.

Can I open a TD Ameritrade account in Europe? ›

TD Ameritrade opens accounts to residents of over 100 countries. The few exceptions include the European Union, Canada, and Australia, but “there are lots of buts and ifs on it”. 2. Interactive Brokers opens accounts to residents anywhere.

Which S&P 500 is best for Europe? ›

The best S&P 500 ETFs for Belgians
  • Xtrackers S&P 500 Accumulating (IE000Z9SJA06)
  • iShares Core S&P 500 Accumulating (IE00B5BMR087)
  • Vanguard S&P 500 Accumulating (IE00BFMXXD54)
  • Invesco S&P 500 Accumulating (IE00B3YCGJ38)
  • Invesco S&P 500 Distributing (IE00BYML9W36)
  • iShares S&P 500 ESG Accumulating (IE000R9FA4A0)
Mar 17, 2023

What is Europe's equivalent to S&P 500? ›

The S&P Europe 350® consists of 350 leading blue-chip companies drawn from 16 developed European markets.

What is the strongest stock market in Europe? ›

London Stock Exchange

This makes it the one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world. It was actually the largest stock exchange in the world up until the end of World War I, when it was dethroned by the NYSE. The LSE is now the sixth largest stock exchange in the world, and the largest stock exchange in Europe.

What is the most respected stock exchange in the world? ›

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the 1st on the list of the largest stock exchange in the world and is a highly esteemed stock exchange in the USA which is situated at 11, Wall Street, New York City. It was established on May 17, 1792, and consists of 2,400 listed companies.

Who is the biggest on Europe stock exchange? ›

Europe's biggest stock exchange is the Euronext which combines five markets based in Amsterdam,... Euronext Euronext stock exchange is seated in several cities in Europe including Brussels, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Lisbon.

Which country stock market is best to invest? ›

Switzerland. Switzerland is one of the best countries to invest in.

What is Europe stock market called? ›

Euronext Press releases

Paris – 9 June 2023 – Euronext today announced the results of the quarterly review for the CAC SBT…

What are the 3 most important stock exchanges in the world? ›

The New York Stock Exchange. The NASDAQ Stock Exchange. The London Stock Exchange.

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