How to Find the Best European Forex Brokers?

Most of the European countries are members of the European Union which means that brokers from these countries have to follow the same set of rules and regulations as foreseen by EU directives for broker companies.
The EU directives impose high business standards, and every broker company has to fulfill these standards to be given a license to operate.
Therefore, EU brokers are safer than the non-EU brokers on the territory of Europe.

How do European Forex Brokers operate?

Thanks to the EU, EU-based brokers can offer their services in the entire EU-zone without having to obtain additional permissions.
Some of the most popular brokerage companies in Europe are registered with CySEC.

CySEC stands for the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. Since Cyprus has become a part of the EU, it opened the door to many EU-based businesses who rushed to establish their companies in the tax haven that is Cyprus.

Tax benefits are one of the main reasons why CySEC is so popular. Since it is now part of the EU, it has to comply with EU directives and that fact provides for security of customers to a larger extent. Some of the top European brokers entrusted their business conduct to this particular organization.
CySEC is not the only broker regulator who earned a good reputation. Germany, Great Britain, etc. are also advanced in terms of protection of clients and business conduct.

Core Principles of Top European Forex brokers

Fair and transparent market conditions are the main goals of all honest Forex brokers, while successful implementation is managed only by the best Forex brokers. One of the main responsibilities of European brokers is to prevent illegal and insider trading, manipulation, misconduct, taking advantage of clients, etc.
The very strict regulatory agencies of Europe make sure that broker companies have enough liquid assets to meet their payment obligations before registration.
Credit-worthiness is one of the major requirements upon registering, which guarantees the stability of the company and safety of clients’ funds. In order to get licensed, European brokers have to pay attention to risk control, management strategies, and business conduct.

The best European Forex brokers are obliged by law to submit periodic and annual audit reports and provide any other kind of information if requested. Data on the state of liquidity have to be included in the audit report. In that way, manipulation, misleading promotions, and fraud are reduced to a minimum and clients can trade in a safe environment.
European Forex brokers are subject to investigation and prosecution if they engage in suspicious business deals.

Capital Requirements for the Best European Forex Brokers

It is not easy for brokers to get the EU license. They have to provide various documents and proofs of capital liquidity to the regulators.
The minimum capital requirement must be met and is usually set at the amount to cover operational, market, and credit risks. This is very important for clients since this means that their positions are secured regardless of the situation in the company and the market. They can withdraw their profits (if made) without any complications.
To register a broker company, a detailed business plan must be submitted containing main activity, control and organizational structures, etc.

Staff Requirements

Some of the top European brokers have at least two executive managers with a plenty of relevant experience and a clean record.
Also, other staff members have to fulfill the necessary qualifications in regard to their position.
Customer support employees, for example, have to attend training in order to be competent to work with clients.

They have to know how to speak with clients, how to resolve issues, and be able to answer questions by clients regarding depositing, withdrawals, registration, account management, and other questions related to their trading account. Above all, politeness is also a crucial feature which the top European Forex brokers emphasize.

Best European Forex Brokers: Trading Platforms and Accounts

The best European Forex brokers will make sure that their clients have a variety of choice regarding the choice of a trading platform.
The trading platform is essential. It is the tool where trades are being made, where the market movements are visible, etc.
Some brokers offer their own platforms which they designed specifically to address clients’ needs, while others use independent platforms which already gained popularity with clients. Some traders prefer the widely-used platforms, while others prefer the intuitive features of in-house platforms. It all depends on the personal choice.
Top European Forex brokers will offer multiple accounts according to the experience level of their traders.

Most offer a free Demo account for beginners, so that they can get a taste of trading and become familiar with the settings and features of the trading platform. The Demo account features a simulation of the real Forex market, enabling beginners to invest virtual money.

Other types of account are usually medium or standard accounts with a minimum deposit requirement for real traders with more or less experience. VIP or Platinum accounts are also provided for the big investors where they can enjoy extra features. The minimum deposits for these types of accounts can go up to $20,000.
Top European Forex brokers will offer narrow and competitive spreads to their clients and a variety of currency pairs.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Deposits are the introductory stage in the Forex business. To earn some money, first, you have to invest.
Some brokers offer minimum deposits as low as $5, while others may require $100, $200, $500, or more. This depends on the internal broker’s policy. The logical conclusion is that the more you invest, the more you can win back.

The best European Forex brokers usually offer many payment methods via credit cards, electronic system payments, bank transfer, etc. Lately, the electronic payment systems like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are more preferred than credit cards.

The depositing procedure is almost never as complicated as the withdrawal process with some brokers. The broker’s fairness is most easily tested through withdrawal requests. The corrupt brokers will find a million excuses why your withdrawal cannot proceed or that your profit vanished due to bad market conditions. To avoid this, you have to register with professional brokers.
Top European brokers pay on time. They usually offer fast cashouts ranging from 1-3 days. The procedure is as easy as depositing and no one will try to prevent you from cashing in your money.
The best European Forex brokers maintain professional websites describing their activity in detail. They are easy to navigate and hide no information.

Moreover, you can always (strongly advised) check the website of their regulator who have detailed information on the business conduct of the broker of your choice. If the regulator is well-reputed, you should have no problems finding the information, since their websites are also user-friendly, plus, they offer various instructions and advice on trading.

Recommended Forex Brokers

Rating	Broker	Bonus	Regulator	Open Account	Read Review
9.8	xm	$5000*	CYSEC, FCA, ASIC	Open Account	Read Review
9.8	HYCM	$5000	FSA	Open Account	Read Review
9.8		N/A	CYSEC	Open Account	Read Review
9.7	avatrade	40%	MIFID	Open Account	Read Review
9.7	instaforex	250%	FFMS	Open Account	Read Review
9.6	eToro	UP TO $1000	CYSEC, FCA	Open Account	Read Review
9.6	CM Trading	Up to $1000	FSB	Open Account	Read Review
9.6	easy Markets	Up to $2000	CySEC	Open Account	Read Review
9.5	FBS	100% Bonus	IFSC	Open Account	Read Review
9.3	Hotforex	100% Bonus	CySEC	Open Account	Read Review
9.3	Plus500	$50	FCA, ASIC, CySEC	Open Account	Read Review
9.2	UFX	$50	CYSEC, MIFID	Open Account	Read Review

*Trading bonus are not eligible for clients registered under Trading Point of Financial Instrument Ltd and Trading Point of Financial Instrument UK Ltd. T&C apply.