DEGIRO vs XTB — Online Broker Comparison for Polish Investors in 2026

DEGIRO vs XTB — Which Broker Should Polish Investors Choose in 2026?

Choosing the right investment broker is one of the most important decisions for any investor. For Polish investors, two names dominate the conversation: DEGIRO (a Dutch low-cost broker) and XTB (a Polish brokerage house listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange). Both offer competitive pricing and access to global markets, but they differ significantly in key areas that matter for investors based in Poland.

This guide compares every aspect that matters — from commissions and tax handling to platform features and regulatory protection — so you can make an informed choice.

DEGIRO — Overview

DEGIRO is a Dutch online broker, now part of flatexDEGIRO AG, one of the largest fintech groups in Europe. Founded in 2013, DEGIRO built its reputation on ultra-low commissions and broad market access.

Key features

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands (part of flatexDEGIRO AG, Frankfurt-listed)
• Regulation: BaFin (Germany) + AFM (Netherlands)
• Markets: 50+ exchanges in 30 countries
• Account types: Standard investment account only (no IKE/IKZE)
• Languages: English, Dutch, German, and others — no Polish interface
• Deposit protection: Up to €100,000 (German deposit guarantee) + €20,000 investor protection

DEGIRO commission structure

DEGIRO's core selection of ~200 commission-free ETFs includes popular options like Vanguard FTSE All-World (VWCE) and iShares Core MSCI World (IWDA). However, you only get one free trade per calendar month per ETF — additional trades in the same month cost the standard fee.

DEGIRO limitations for Polish investors

• No IKE/IKZE accounts — as a Dutch broker, DEGIRO cannot offer Polish tax-advantaged retirement accounts
• No PIT-8C — you must calculate and file capital gains tax (19% from investments) yourself using your annual transaction report
• No PLN base currency — your account runs in EUR, meaning currency conversion fees apply on deposits/withdrawals
• No fractional shares — you must buy whole shares/units
• No investment plans (DCA) — no automated recurring investment feature

XTB — Overview

XTB (X-Trade Brokers) is a Polish brokerage house founded in 2002, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) since 2016. It's the largest Polish-origin broker and has expanded across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Key features

• Headquarters: Warsaw, Poland (GPW-listed: XTB)
• Regulation: KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority)
• Markets: 16 exchanges + CFDs on thousands of instruments
• Account types: Standard + IKE + IKZE
• Languages: Full Polish support (platform, customer service, education)
• Deposit protection: Up to €20,600 (KDPW investor protection)

XTB commission structure

XTB's 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 monthly turnover is extremely competitive. For IKE/IKZE accounts, the 0% commission has no turnover limit at all — a massive advantage for long-term retirement investing.

XTB advantages for Polish investors

• IKE and IKZE accounts with 0% commission — save 19% tax on capital gains (IKE) or get upfront tax deduction (IKZE)
• Automatic PIT-8C — XTB generates your tax form, making annual settlement easy
• PLN base currency — no currency conversion needed for deposits
• Investment plans — automated recurring investments (DCA) with 0% commission
• Fractional shares — invest from as little as ~50 PLN
• Full Polish support — platform, customer service, and extensive educational content in Polish

Head-to-Head Comparison

Platform Comparison — xStation vs DEGIRO App

xStation 5 (XTB)

XTB's proprietary platform is one of the most advanced retail trading platforms in Europe:

• Technical analysis: 30+ drawing tools, 50+ indicators
• Watchlists and alerts: Customizable with price notifications
• Market scanner: Filter stocks by criteria (P/E, dividend yield, etc.)
• Heat maps: Visual market overview
• News feed: Real-time financial news in Polish
• Investment plans: Set up automated DCA strategies
• Portfolio analytics: Performance tracking, diversification overview

DEGIRO Platform

DEGIRO's platform is intentionally minimalist:

• Clean interface: Easy to navigate, no clutter
• Basic charting: Limited technical analysis tools
• Portfolio overview: Clear view of holdings and returns
• Order types: Market, limit, stop-loss, stop-limit
• No advanced analytics — designed for buy-and-hold investors

Verdict on platforms: If you want advanced tools and analytics, xStation wins. If you prefer simplicity and just want to buy ETFs with minimal fuss, DEGIRO's clean interface might appeal more.

Tax Implications for Polish Investors

This is where the comparison becomes critical for Polish investors:

XTB tax advantages

1. IKE (Indywidualne Konto Emerytalne): No 19% capital gains tax if you withdraw after age 60. XTB offers IKE with 0% commission on stocks and ETFs.
2. IKZE (Indywidualne Konto Zabezpieczenia Emerytalnego): Contributions deductible from income tax (up to ~9,388 PLN/year in 2026). Flat 10% tax on withdrawal after 65.
3. PIT-8C: XTB automatically generates and sends PIT-8C to both you and your tax office.

DEGIRO tax obligations

1. No tax-advantaged accounts — all gains taxed at 19% (PIT-38)
2. No PIT-8C — you must calculate gains/losses manually from DEGIRO's annual transaction report
3. Currency conversion complexity — since DEGIRO operates in EUR, you need to convert each transaction to PLN at the NBP exchange rate from the day before the transaction for tax purposes
4. Foreign dividend withholding — same as XTB, but without Polish-language guidance

Example: tax savings with IKE over 20 years

Assuming €200/month invested in a global ETF returning 7% annually:

That's approximately €7,600 more in your pocket — just from using a tax-advantaged account.

Who Should Choose DEGIRO?

DEGIRO makes sense in specific situations:

• Geographic diversification — you want a second broker in a different jurisdiction (Netherlands/Germany) as a hedge against single-country regulatory risk
• Niche market access — you need access to specific exchanges or ETFs not available on XTB (DEGIRO offers 50+ exchanges vs XTB's 16)
• Existing European portfolio — you already have a DEGIRO account from before and don't want to transfer
• Low single-trade costs — if you make very few, large trades, DEGIRO's flat €1–4 fee might sometimes beat XTB's percentage above the €100K limit

Who Should Choose XTB?

XTB is the clear winner for most Polish investors:

• IKE/IKZE accounts — the tax savings alone are worth thousands of PLN over a lifetime
• Automatic tax reporting — no need to manually calculate capital gains in foreign currency
• PLN deposits — no currency conversion needed
• Polish customer service — important when dealing with your money
• Investment plans — automated DCA makes consistent investing effortless
• KNF regulation — Polish regulator, Polish investor protection

Verdict — XTB Wins for Polish Investors

For the vast majority of Polish investors, XTB is the better choice. The combination of IKE/IKZE with 0% commission, automatic PIT-8C, PLN base currency, and full Polish support creates an unbeatable package.

DEGIRO remains a solid option as a second broker for geographic diversification or access to niche markets. Many sophisticated investors maintain both — XTB for their core portfolio (especially IKE/IKZE) and DEGIRO for specific international investments.

Other alternatives worth considering:

• Interactive Brokers — for advanced traders who need global market access and competitive margin rates
• Finax — for passive investors who want a robo-advisor for IKE
• Bossa (BM mBank) — for investors who want Polish Treasury Bonds (EDO, COI) in one account

Track Your Investments with Freenance

Regardless of which broker you choose — or if you use both — Freenance helps you see the complete picture. Freenance is a Polish personal finance app that aggregates all your financial accounts, tracks expenses, and calculates your Financial Freedom Runway.

• Import transactions from Polish banks (mBank, ING, PKO BP)
• Track investments across multiple brokers
• AI-powered expense categorization
• See your net worth and runway to financial independence in real-time

👉 Try Freenance for free — freenance.io

FAQ

Can I have accounts at both DEGIRO and XTB?

Yes, absolutely. Many Polish investors use XTB for their primary portfolio (especially IKE/IKZE) and DEGIRO as a secondary broker for diversification. There's no legal limit on the number of brokerage accounts you can hold.

Is my money safe at DEGIRO / XTB?

Both brokers are regulated by reputable authorities (BaFin for DEGIRO, KNF for XTB). Your securities are held separately from the broker's assets. DEGIRO offers €100,000 deposit protection + €20,000 investor protection. XTB offers €20,600 investor protection through KDPW.

How do I transfer my portfolio from DEGIRO to XTB (or vice versa)?

Both brokers support ACATS-like transfers for European securities. Contact the receiving broker's customer service to initiate the transfer. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks. Note: transferring to an IKE/IKZE account is not possible — you can only contribute new funds to tax-advantaged accounts.

Which broker has better ETF selection?

DEGIRO offers access to ~5,000+ ETFs across 50+ exchanges, significantly more than XTB's ~400+ ETFs. However, XTB covers all the most popular ETFs (VWCE, IWDA, CSPX, etc.) that most passive investors need. Unless you need very specific niche ETFs, XTB's selection is sufficient.

Do I need to report DEGIRO income to Polish tax authorities?

Yes. As a Polish tax resident, you must report all worldwide investment income. DEGIRO provides an annual transaction report, but you must calculate gains/losses in PLN yourself (using NBP exchange rates) and file PIT-38. XTB handles this automatically with PIT-8C.