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Best Ireland Trading Brokers

The Best Ireland BrokersHome to a population of more than five million people, the Republic of Ireland occupies most of the island of Ireland, off the coast of Wales and England. The country has one of the most stable economies in Europe, and owing to the authorities’ liberal approach to trading, such activities are thriving on the Emerald Isle. The online brokers that cater to the Irish market are abundant, and as a result of the brokers’ efforts to penetrate the market, the trading opportunities open up to traders even more. Besides, Dublin is home to the Irish Stock Exchange, which is among the biggest stock exchanges on a global scale.

Trading Forex and CFDs gets adequate oversight from the authorities in Ireland, and residents of the country can take part in such activities without violating the law. Yet, traders should take into account that there is a maximum requirement on the leverage retail clients can be offered. The protection measures that are introduced by the European Securities and Markets Authority are also worthy of note.

Ireland is becoming more and more attractive for brokers, but in order to accommodate traders from the jurisdiction, they need to get the approval of the Central Bank of Ireland. While recommended, brokers that have set their eyes on the Irish market should not necessarily possess a license from the bank, as having a stamp of approval from a regulatory body in another member state also does the trick.
RegulatorCentral Bank of Ireland
Maximum Leverage of Forex30:1
Maximum Leverage of Stocks5:1
Maximum Leverage of CFDs20:1

Best Ireland Brokers

The Best Ireland BrokersDue to the ever-growing popularity of trading, the brokers that have flooded the market are by the hundreds, and considering how wide the choice is, traders might easily get overwhelmed while being on the lookout for top-performing Irish-friendly brokers. All brokers that cater to the market seek traders’ patronage and give their best to provide them with a wide choice of assets, a variety of platforms, fast and reliable payment methods, low costs, and premium-quality customer care, among others.

We reviewed many brokers that operate in Ireland and narrowed the group down to ten worthwhile brokers traders might want to explore if they want to be provided with premium-quality services in all major departments.

Trading Regulation in Ireland

Trading Regulation in Ireland
Trading activities are thriving in Ireland, and their growing popularity among residents of the country can mainly be ascribed to the hospitable legislation. Investors from the jurisdiction can partake in trading various financial instruments like CFDs and Forex without violating the laws, and the best thing is that the brokers that are entitled to offer their services to traders from Ireland are by the bucketful.

Currently, the Central Bank of Ireland oversees the operations of all providers of trading services in Ireland, but from 2003 to 2010, the single regulator of all financial institutions in Ireland has been the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority. It was a constituent part of the Central Bank of Ireland, but in 2010, the regulatory agency was reunified with the bank.

The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive 2014 (2014/65/EU), which is also known as MiFID 2 is a legal act of the European Union used to define the rules according to which trading activities take place. It was implemented to replace MiFID 1, which was a keystone in The Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP) of the EU, the aim of which was to bring in changes to the way financial service markets must operate within the EU.

The legal framework for investment intermediaries, securities markets, and trading venues in Ireland and the other countries that are part of the EU is determined by the MiFID 2 and Regulation (EU) No 600/2014. The main purpose of the detective is to level the playing field for market participants in investment services, enhance investor protection, and increase competition. The detective is introduced in order to present harmonized regulation for investment services in the member states, among which is Ireland.

Under the provisions of MiFID 2, investment firms are only allowed to operate in the EU, provided that they are authorized by a national competent authority (NCA) in the EU. The directive also requires financial services providers to comply with special rules regarding the conduct of business, transaction reporting, trade transparency, and operating conditions.

The MiFID 2 regulated virtually all forms of assets and oversees off-exchange and over-the-counter (OTC) trading. The directive requires all financial firms to assess whether their clients are able to bear the losses incurred from a product. Brokers also need to make sure that their clients fully understand financial products.

Traders from Ireland are not given access to binary options because trading such is considered too risky by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Forex Trading Regulation in Ireland

Forex Trading Regulation in IrelandForex trading has skyrocketed in Ireland, and because of the liberal regulatory framework in the country, more and more brokers seek to penetrate the market. The primary regulator of all trading activities in Ireland, including Forex, is the Central Bank of Ireland, and in order for brokers to accommodate clients from the jurisdiction, they must have its approval.

An important thing to keep in mind is that there is a limit on the maximum leverage retail clients can be offered. When Forex trading is concerned, the maximum leverage retail clients can be offered on major currency pairs cannot go above 30:1. Yet, professional traders who qualify can be offered higher leverage. Non-major Forex pairs, on the other hand, cannot have leverage higher than 10:1. Thus, the leverage for tradable assets that bear greater risk is considerably reduced.

An important thing to note is that under the provisions of MiFID 2, brokers are required to keep records pertaining to a trade or transaction. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is one more regulatory body that has a key role when it comes to the regulation and legislation of financial markets in Europe. It is an independent European Union Authority that must improve the way financial markets function in the EU and strengthen investor protection. Strengthening the cooperation between national competent authorities is yet another goal of the regulatory body.

One of the most important ESMA requirements for brokers that cater to traders from Ireland and other member states is to keep the funds of their clients in segregated bank accounts to further enhance the security. Another thing to consider is that the maximum compensation traders from Ireland can benefit from is €20,000. Yet, it is important to note that the compensation will not be offered if the losses they incurred are due to poor financial decisions.

Negative balance protection must also be among the measures Ireland-facing brokers must offer. In this way, traders can rest assured that they will not lose more money than the one they started trading with.

Stocks Trading Regulation in Ireland

Stocks Trading Regulation in IrelandIn addition to trading Forex and CFDs, residents of Ireland can also legally trade stocks. The country is home to the Irish Stock Exchange, which has been in existence since 1793. The stock exchange has been part of Euronext since 2018 and gives Irish and international companies the opportunity to access European capital markets. In Ireland, Euronext Dublin operated by the Irish Stock Exchange is the sole regulated market.

Euronext Dublin complies with various directives by the EU, including the MiFID regarding the securities that are listed and are admitted to trading. The securities admitted to trading on Euronext Dublin include specialist securities, exchange-traded funds, investment funds, equities, corporate bonds, and government bonds.

Trading as Euronext Dublin, the Irish Stock Exchange is authorized to operate four securities markets, including the Atlantic Securities Market (ASM), Euronext Growth, the Global Exchange Market (GEM), and Euronext Dublin. The international member base of the stock exchange continues to expand and this is understandable considering that it is the leading exchange globally for listing bonds and investment funds.

For the most part, the brokers that accommodate Irish clients also offer stocks trading, so they are unlikely to face troubles while searching for a brokerage that boasts these securities.

CFDs Trading Regulation in Ireland

CFDs Trading Regulation in Ireland
Residents of the Emerald Isle are now given access to more brokers and trading platforms than ever before, and much like Forex, trading CFDs is also regulated and overseen by the Central Bank of Ireland.

In 2019, the authorities announced their intentions to stop the sale of binary options and impose restrictions on the sale of CFDs. After the measures were introduced, the sale, marketing, or distribution of binary options was prohibited, while the distribution of contracts for difference (CFDs) to retail investors can only be offered under specific rules.

One of the limitations that are imposed on the distribution of contracts for difference has to do with the ceiling on the leverage that can be offered to retail clients. As we said already, under the new set of rules, traders cannot lose more money than they transferred to their CFDs accounts.

A standardized risk warning is also required and while offering CFDs to traders from Ireland, brokers are required to report and display the number of trades that do not bring profits through disclaimers. The maximum leverage that can be offered on precious metals is 10:1, while the leverage offered on cryptocurrencies is 2:1. Gold can be subject to a maximum leverage of 20:1, while individual equities cannot be subject to leverage greater than 5:1.

These measures were introduced after reviews carried out by the EU’s competent authorities found out that between 74% and 87% of retail clients incur losses after putting money into binary options. As for CFDs, the reviews found out that in 2015, around 75% of traders lost money. Back then, the average loss was €6,900.

Two years later, a follow-up review that was carried out among some of the biggest CFD providers in the jurisdiction found that the average loss of retail clients was reduced by half. Yet, the share of traders who incurred losses has remained almost unchanged as their percentage was 74%.

The legislative changes that were introduced by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) resulted in certain changes in the trading conditions not only for retail traders but for professional ones as well. Although professional traders will benefit from increased leverage, they are not offered the same protection as retail clients of the Ireland-friendly brokers.

In order to be classified as a professional trader, you will need to meet certain requirements regarding your trade volume, portfolio size, and professional experience. The value of traders’ investment portfolios must exceed €500,000. To qualify as a professional trader, you also must have carried out an average of 10 trades per quarter on the relevant market.

Lastly, you need to work or have worked in the financial sector for at least one year. Traders do not need to meet all three criteria, and fulfilling just two of them is enough to be qualified as a Professional Trader.

Ireland Trading Regulation FAQ

1. Can I register for an account with brokers that are not licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland?

Yes. Traders are allowed to use the services of brokers even if they are not approved by the Central Bank of Ireland, given that they are licensed and regulated in another member state. Thus, traders from Ireland can freely use the services of brokers that are licensed by The Financial Conduct Authority , for example. Brokers with a license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission are also allowed to operate in Ireland.

2. What are the requirements regarding the maximum leverage Ireland-friendly brokers need to abide by?

Brokers that are authorized to operate in Europe need to comply with certain requirements when it comes to the maximum leverage they are allowed to offer to their clients. The maximum leverage traders can benefit from ranges between 30:1 and 2:1, depending on the chosen security.

3. How Can I be sure that the broker I am about to start using is approved by the Central Bank of Ireland?

One way to make sure that your broker of choice has the approval of the Central Bank of Ireland is to check its website as the reliable and worthwhile brokers provide this information below the fold or under special sections reserved for regulations. If traders fail to find such information on the broker’s website, they can check the register of the Central Bank of Ireland.

4. Is trading tax-free in Ireland?

All gains made on spread betting or spread trading are exempt from the capital gains act. When traders make a profit when they dispose of an asset, they will be required to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT), but it should be noted that this tax only applies to the chargeable gain. The Capital Gains Tax that is normally charged stands at 33%.

5. How low are spreads in Ireland?

This only depends on the broker traders have picked, and depending on the brokerage they go for, traders might be presented with fixed or variable spreads. Typically, the Ireland-facing brokers provide their clients with information regarding average spreads in order to make it easier for their clients to make a comparison.

Funding and Withdrawing from Ireland Trading Account

Funding and Withdrawing from Ireland Trading AccountOne of the distinctive traits of worthwhile Ireland-friendly brokers is that they ensure that depositing and withdrawing funds is as easy and straightforward as possible. The brokers are well aware that their clients have different needs and preferences, and because of this, tend to give them a choice from multiple methods to fund their accounts and execute their cashouts. Be it credit/debit cards, digital wallets, or bank transfers, traders can be sure that they will have these all at their disposal.

Ireland adopted the euro as its currency more than twenty years ago, and because of this, it is not surprising that most brokers that are friendly to traders from the jurisdiction offer EUR as a base account currency. Going for a broker that allows payments in EUR is what Irish traders insist on, which is not surprising, considering that thus they will save on currency conversion fees.

With most Ireland-friendly brokers, fast, secure, and safe deposits and cashouts are assured, no matter which payment processor traders might decide to use. The worthwhile brokers take traders’ financial security very seriously and keep their funds in segregated bank accounts. To put their minds at ease, brokers also use encryption technology to keep traders’ transaction data safe and secure.

Depositing at Ireland Trading Accounts

DepositingMost brokers that cater to traders from Ireland boast a near-instant deposit policy, which makes it possible for their clients to start trading in just a few minutes. The range of accepted deposit methods is not the same for all Ireland-oriented brokers, but typically, traders are allowed to fund their accounts using their credit/debit cards or through digital wallets.

These payment solutions are mainly preferred because of their time efficiency, especially when compared to bank transfers. Brokers rarely charge extra fees on deposits but this might not be the case with bank transfers.

As for the deposit minimums, this only depends on the brokerage Irish traders have decided to trade with. The bare minimum for deposits is also determined by the account type investors have decided to go for.

The account types that are tailor-made for seasoned traders normally have considerably higher initial investments, while account types that are more suitable for beginners typically have lower deposit limits. Some brokerages that welcome Irish traders do not impose a minimum deposit amount, thus making their services all the more accessible.

An important thing traders should keep in mind is that if they want to use their credit or debit card when depositing, they will be asked to provide their 3D security authentication code. This requirement came into effect in 2021 and aims at enhancing the security of traders’ payments.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that traders from all European countries are first required to verify their accounts before they are allowed to make deposits.

Common Deposit Methods Offered by Ireland Brokers
Payment MethodUsual Deposit LimitsUsual Deposit TimeframesUsual Fees
Neteller€100-€500 minimum deposit amountInstantFree of charge
Visa€100-€500 minimum deposit amountInstantFree of charge
Mastercard€100-€500 minimum deposit amountInstantFree of charge
Maestro€100-€500 minimum deposit amountInstantFree of charge
Skrill€100-€500 minimum deposit amountInstantFree of charge
Bank transfer€100-€500 minimum deposit amount2 to 5 daysVaries between brokers
PayPal€100-€500 minimum deposit amountInstantFree of charge
WebMoney€100-€500 minimum deposit amountInstantFree of charge

Withdrawing from Ireland Trading Accounts

WithdrawingDepending on their broker of choice, traders’ cashout requests might be processed within up to 24 or 48 hours. After their request is approved, traders might be able to access their funds within 2 to 5 days, depending on the chosen payment processor. Naturally, withdrawals executed through bank transfers take more time to clear, and traders’ funds might reach the balance of their accounts within up to 5 days. If traders are on the lookout for a more time-efficient payment method, they should check if the brokerage allows cashouts via digital wallets.

Traders should keep in mind that most brokers do not charge additional fees on cashouts, but extra charges might be applied by the remitting banks or payment system provider. Another crucial aspect of cashouts to bear in mind is that traders will not be able to withdraw more money than they have added to their accounts using their credit or debit card.

As for the cancellation of cashout requests, some brokers offer this opportunity, but this is only broker-specific. Investors should remember that withdrawal requests can only be canceled in the event that they are not yet approved by the brokerage.

Common Withdrawal Methods Offered by Australia Brokers
Payment MethodUsual Withdrawal LimitsUsual Withdrawal TimeframesUsual Fees
Wire transfer€100- no maximum withdrawalUp to 10 daysDepends on the broker and the bank
Visa€10- no maximum withdrawalUp to 5 daysDepends on the broker
Mastercard€10- no maximum withdrawalUp to 5 daysDepends on the broker
Neteller€10 – no maximum withdrawalUp to 1 dayNo extra fees
Skrill€10 -no maximum withdrawalUp to 1 dayNo extra fees
PayPal€5 – no maximum withdrawalUp to 1 dayNo extra fees

Ireland Trading Platforms

Australia Trading PlatformsThe brokers that cater to traders from Ireland are in the habit of offering various ways to trade to their clients via desktop and portable devices. The choice of trading platform clients of the brokerages are given is rarely the same, and traders’ preferences for tradable assets and experience levels might be what will determine their decisions in terms of which platform to go for.

While looking for an Ireland-facing broker, traders might also stumble upon brokerages that have come up with their own platform software suites. That being said, some platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are almost invariably part of the platform offering of most brokers.

Automated trading platforms that are also known as mechanical trading systems are also offered by some Ireland-oriented brokers. While some traders might prefer to automate their trading activities using bots, others go for copy or social trading. Some platforms that facilitate auto trading are ZuluTrade and DupliTrade.

cTrader

cTraderOne of the most frequently offered trading platforms by the brokerages that operate in the jurisdiction is cTrader. When compared to the MetaQuotes’ platforms, cTrader is a relatively newer platform that boasts an incredibly user-friendly user interface and advanced take profit and stop loss systems.

It is a multi-asset CFD and Forex trading platform that is preferred because it offers complete trading solutions, especially by traders with less experience.

The platform is packed with various features to cater to every investment requirement and is preferred because of its fast execution and entry times. Another great benefit of using cTrader is that the platform offers advanced order types and level II pricing. The rich charting tools on offer are also worth mentioning.

The platform is connected to the most sophisticated backend technology and is within reach on portable and desktop devices. The web-based version of the trading platform offers the same complete set of charting and trading features and functionality for manual trading and charting. The web version of the platform makes trading accessible from any device and its operating system.

Unlike the version available for desktop devices that must be pre-installed, the web version works seamlessly at all times, given that the device has an HTML5-compatible web browser.

Trading while being out and about is also possible while using the native cTrader apps for devices running on Android and iOS. Both apps enable effective on-the-go trading and support light and dark modes.

MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 4Also known as MT4, MetaTrader 4 is without a doubt among the most widely used platforms by online retail traders. It was introduced in 2005 by MetaQuotes Software and offers a flexible trading system and technical analysis options. MetaTrader 4 provides everything you might need while trading Forex and allows traders to implement strategies of any complexity.

While using the platform, traders are given access to a number of tools like a tick chart and trading history, stop orders and trailing stop, and trading from a chart. Instant order execution and pending orders are also among the benefits of using the trading platform. Another of MT4’s strongest points is its Analytical functions. Free and paid signals will also be at the fingertips of traders, together with copy trading.

Traders can prepare for unexpected price movements thanks to the financial news and alerts available on the platform.

MetaTrader 5 is a multi-asset trading platform that was rolled out in 2010. Where MT5 differs from its predecessor is that the newer platform makes it possible to get exposure to almost all markets as you can trade Forex, futures, and stocks.

Much like MT4, MT5 also has a desktop, web, and mobile version. Besides, the platform offers a range of superior analytical tools traders can use in order to improve their chances of seeing success. While using the platform, traders can open a maximum of 100 charts of currency and stock quotes at a time, pick from 21 timeframes, and benefit from 80 technical indicators.

TradingView

TradingViewTrusted by 50 million traders, TradingView is one of the most frequently employed platforms by Irish traders. It gives traders access to a range of assets like indices, Forex, stocks, bonds, and futures. Traders might opt for the platform, no matter if they prefer to analyze price patterns using lengthy scripts or simply want to look up the latest stock prices. The platform gives traders direct access to over 50 of the most popular crypto exchanges, over 100 financial metrics, and more than 150 exchanges from various corners of the globe.

TradingView is preferred also because of the unmissable alerts the platform offers. The trading alerts are incredibly easy to use, flexible, and powerful, and the best thing is that they are within reach on every device. There are 12 alert conditions and technical alerts for indicators, strategies, and drawings. The platform is many traders’ first choice also because of the extensive volume of fundamental data for all major stock exchanges it provides. Traders are offered comprehensive financial analysis through more than 100 fundamental fields and ratios, financial statements, and historical data that can be used right on the chart.

The platform is designed to cover the most popular trading concepts and is equipped with hundreds of pre-built studies, a set of tools for in-depth market analysis, and over 90 intelligent drawing tools.

The platform allows traders to test their strategies right on the chart, no matter if they will choose to use self-written or ready-made strategies in real time. Traders will get detailed reports on their strategy performance and can share them with other users. Traders will never miss a pivotal global event as TradingView also comes with an economic calendar.

Ireland Trading FAQ

1. Are the brokers that cater to Ireland safe and reliable?

This only depends on the brokerage traders will settle on. In order to ensure that their funds are in good hands, it is advisable to register for an account with brokers that are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland or are authorized by another regulatory authority in the EU. Other things to look into are whether the broker offers negative balance protection, whether traders’ funds are kept in segregated bank accounts, and whether an insurance scheme is on offer.

2. Do Ireland-friendly brokers accept payments in EUR?

With most brokers that are Ireland-friendly, EUR is among the base account currencies, meaning that traders will not face currency conversion fees when they want to transfer funds to and from their accounts.

3. Do brokers introduce demo accounts for traders from Ireland?

In addition to the educational materials and tutorial pages, most brokers that cater to the Irish market also offer traders the chance to get a feel for the offered services through demo accounts. Going for such an account is a great option for traders who lack experience or when they want to give their strategy a dry run.

4. Can I still trade even when I am on the go?

Yes. Most, if not all, brokers that accommodate Irish traders allow their clients to get exposure to their preferred markets on desktop and portable devices. While some brokerages introduce dedicated apps that allow owners of iOS and Android-powered devices to trade wherever they go. With others, traders can get unlimited access to their services through web apps.

5. How long does it take to withdraw my funds while trading online?

While discussing the withdrawal timeframes, it should be mentioned that the selected payment processor is not the only thing that matters. First of all, traders should consider that cashout requests are reviewed and approved within up to 48 hours. The withdrawal times might further be prolonged if the cashout method traders go for is a bank transfer. Cashouts via digital wallets and debit cards are executed at a faster pace.