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Country Guide · Updated August 2026

Best Forex Brokers in Austria 2026

Reviewed by Markets Desk · FX-Brokers EU editorial

Austria's forex market is supervised by the FMA (Finanzmarktaufsicht), which enforces ESMA protections for retail traders. We compared 22 EU/UK-regulated brokers using their published data and ranked them with an Austria-weighted scoring model that prioritises regulation (30%), fees (25%), platforms (15%), execution (10%), instruments (10%), support (5%), and education (5%). Austrian traders can access any EU/EEA-licensed broker under MiFID II passporting.

Quick Answer

Pepperstone is the best forex broker in Austria for 2026, scoring 9.3/10 on our Austria-weighted model. It holds a BaFin licence and serves Austrian clients under MiFID II passporting, offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips with zero minimum deposit and supporting MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.

Based on our comparison of 22 EU/UK-regulated brokers, weighted for factors that matter most to Austrian traders: regulatory strength, cost, and platform quality.

Risk Warning

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Beste Forex Broker in Österreich 2026

Die Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA) beaufsichtigt in Österreich das Wohlverhalten der Anbieter von Wertpapierdienstleistungen. Die meisten Broker, die österreichische Privatkundinnen und -kunden betreuen, halten allerdings keine eigene FMA-Konzession: Sie sind in einem anderen EU-/EWR-Staat zugelassen — typischerweise durch die BaFin, die CySEC oder die Zentralbank von Irland — und arbeiten in Österreich über den Europäischen Pass nach MiFID II. Keiner der hier verglichenen Broker ist in unseren Daten mit einer österreichischen FMA-Konzession erfasst; maßgeblich ist immer die Lizenz, unter der Ihr Konto tatsächlich geführt wird.

Am Schutzniveau ändert das nichts. Für Privatkunden gelten die ESMA-Vorgaben unabhängig davon, aus welchem Mitgliedstaat der Broker hereinpassportiert: Hebel höchstens 30:1 auf Haupt-Währungspaare (20:1 auf Nebenpaare und Gold, 5:1 auf Aktien, 2:1 auf Krypto), verpflichtender Negativsaldoschutz und getrennt verwahrte Kundengelder. Fällt ein Institut aus, greift die Anlegerentschädigung des jeweiligen Herkunftsstaats — in Österreich die Anlegerentschädigung (AeW), bei einer ausländischen Lizenz das dortige System. Die Deckungshöhe unterscheidet sich je nach System und ist beim jeweiligen Broker zu prüfen.

Vor der ersten Einzahlung: Eintrag im öffentlichen Register der FMA prüfen und gegen die Investorenwarnliste abgleichen. Hintergrund zu den Aufsichtsbehörden und ihren Zuständigkeiten finden Sie in unserem Regulierungsüberblick, den deutschsprachigen Nachbarmarkt im Broker-Vergleich für Deutschland und den Gesamtüberblick unter Beste Forex Broker in Europa. Die ausführliche Bewertung der einzelnen Broker steht in englischer Sprache weiter unten: zur vollständigen Rangliste.

Broker mit Kontoeröffnung für Österreich

Diese Broker nehmen nach unserer Compliance-Prüfung derzeit Kundinnen und Kunden mit Wohnsitz in Österreich auf. Angaben zu Lizenz, Mindesteinlage und Spread stammen unverändert aus unserer Brokerdatenbank. Keiner davon hält eine österreichische FMA-Konzession — alle arbeiten über den MiFID-II-Pass.

Brokers verified as onboarding Austrian residents. Editorial coverage of the wider market continues below; a broker without a current eligibility ruling is listed but carries no sign-up link.

BrokerAT ScoreEUR/USDMin DepositLicence
Pepperstone9.3From 0.0 pips (Razor), from 1.0 pips (Standard); EU entity averages 0.1 (Razor) and 1.1 (Standard)NoneBaFin, CySEC, FCAVisit Pepperstone
AvaTrade8.70.9 pips typical€100CySECVisit AvaTrade
Tickmill8.60.0 pips (Raw), 1.6 pips (Classic)€100CySEC, FCAVisit Tickmill
XM8.6From 0.0 pips (Zero), from 0.8 pips (Ultra Low); XM EU entity, Ultra Low average 1.1$5CySECVisit XM
Trade Nation8.40.5 pips (fixed on TN Trader 07:00–21:59 GMT+1; 0.6 overnight)NoneFCA, CMVMVisit Trade Nation
Admirals8.40.0 pips (Zero), 0.5 pips (Trade)€25CySEC, FCAVisit Admirals
Plus5008.3From 0.8 pips (variable)€100CySEC, FCAVisit Plus500

CFDs sind Hebelprodukte. Der Handel ist mit einem hohen Risiko schneller Verluste verbunden. Prüfen Sie vor der Kontoeröffnung, unter welcher Lizenz Ihr Konto geführt wird und welche Anlegerentschädigung dafür gilt.

How FMA Regulation Protects Austrian Traders

The Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA) is Austria's integrated financial supervisory authority and supervises conduct in the Austrian market. It is worth being precise about what that does and does not mean: none of the brokers ranked on this page holds a direct FMA licence in our data. They serve Austrian residents under MiFID II passporting from another EU/EEA authorisation — BaFin, CySEC, the Central Bank of Ireland and others — and it is that home-state licence, not an Austrian one, that governs the account. ESMA protections apply either way, and the FMA monitors passported firms operating in Austria and can intervene if consumer protection issues arise. Broader background sits in our regulation guide.

MiFID II Passporting

Any broker licensed by an EU/EEA regulator (CySEC, BaFin, etc.) can serve Austrian clients with full regulatory protections. The FMA maintains a public register of all passported firms.

ESMA Leverage Caps

30:1 on major FX pairs, 20:1 on minors and gold, 10:1 on commodities, 5:1 on equities, 2:1 on crypto. These caps apply to all retail traders in Austria regardless of which EU broker they use.

Fund Segregation

Client funds must be held in segregated accounts at major EU banks, entirely separate from the broker’s operational capital.

Investor Compensation

Cover follows the licence your account is held under, not your country of residence: the ICF for a CySEC entity, the German scheme for a BaFin entity, and the Austrian Anlegerentschädigung (AeW) for a firm authorised in Austria. Limits differ by scheme — check which one applies before depositing.

Negative Balance Protection

Under ESMA rules enforced by the FMA, retail traders cannot lose more than their deposited funds, even during flash crashes or extreme market volatility.

FMA Product Intervention

The FMA has the power to restrict or ban financial products marketed to Austrian retail clients. It has used this authority to prohibit binary options and restrict high-risk CFD marketing.

BaFin-Regulated Brokers Available in Austria

These brokers hold direct BaFin licences in Germany and serve Austrian clients under MiFID II passporting. BaFin is widely regarded as the strictest EU financial regulator, providing an additional layer of oversight.

BrokerBaFin LicenceEUR/USD SpreadMin DepositPlatformsFounded
Pepperstone151148From 0.0 pips (Razor), from 1.0 pips (Standard); EU entity averages 0.1 (Razor) and 1.1 (Standard)NoneMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader2010
IG1487590.6–0.9 pips minimum (0.6 at IG UK and IG International; 0.9 at IG Europe)NoneIG Platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime1974

Top 9 Forex Brokers in Austria — Mini Reviews

Ranked by our Austria-weighted score (regulation 30%, fees 25%, platforms 15%, execution 10%, instruments 10%, support 5%, education 5%). Only brokers with an EU/EEA or UK licence on record are ranked; the EU/EEA-licensed entities passport into Austria under MiFID II, which is what carries ESMA protections for retail clients. The Regulation column shows the licence on record for each. Brokers licensed only outside Europe are not ranked here — for example BlackBull Markets, which is authorised by New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority, a different body from Austria's Finanzmarktaufsicht despite the shared FMA acronym.

  1. 1Best in Austria

    Pepperstone

    9.3/10BaFin

    Pepperstone serves EU clients through its CySEC-regulated entity (part of a group also licensed by BaFin, the FCA and ASIC), offering razor-sharp spreads, zero minimum deposit, and excellent execution across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    From 0.0 pips (Razor), from 1.0 pips (Standard); EU entity averages 0.1 (Razor) and 1.1 (Standard)
    Platforms
    4 platforms
    Regulation
    BaFin, CySEC, FCA
  2. 2Runner-up

    IG

    9.3/10BaFin

    IG is one of the longest-established retail brokers (founded 1974), offering 17,000+ instruments, a BaFin-regulated EU entity, and an award-winning proprietary platform.

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.6–0.9 pips minimum (0.6 at IG UK and IG International; 0.9 at IG Europe)
    Platforms
    5 platforms
    Regulation
    BaFin, FCA
  3. 3#3

    IC Markets is an ASIC and CySEC-regulated true ECN broker offering one of the deepest cTrader integrations in the industry, with average EUR/USD spreads of 0.02 pips on Raw Spread.

    Min deposit
    $200
    EUR/USD
    From 0.0 pips (Raw Spread), from 0.8 pips (Standard); Raw Spread EUR/USD average 0.1
    Platforms
    4 platforms
    Regulation
    CySEC
  4. 4#4

    eToro

    8.5/10

    eToro is the world's leading social trading platform, letting EU traders copy successful investors while also offering commission-free stock trading alongside forex.

    Min deposit
    $50
    EUR/USD
    From 0.57 pips (0.005% of price at EUR/USD 1.14)
    Platforms
    2 platforms
    Regulation
    CySEC, FCA
  5. 5#5

    XM

    8.6/10

    XM is ideal for beginner EU traders, offering a $5 minimum deposit, award-winning education, multilingual support in 30+ languages, and CySEC regulation.

    Min deposit
    $5
    EUR/USD
    From 0.0 pips (Zero), from 0.8 pips (Ultra Low); XM EU entity, Ultra Low average 1.1
    Platforms
    3 platforms
    Regulation
    CySEC
  6. 6#6

    XTB

    8.9/10

    XTB is a publicly listed European broker (WSE: XTB) regulated by KNF, FCA and CySEC, offering commission-free stock investing and competitive forex spreads via its proprietary xStation 5 platform.

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.8–1.3 pips (from 0.8 at the EU/UK entities; 1.3 standard spread at XTB International)
    Platforms
    2 platforms
    Regulation
    KNF, FCA, CySEC
  7. 7#7

    Admirals

    8.4/10

    Admirals (formerly Admiral Markets) is an EU-headquartered broker based in Tallinn, offering MetaTrader with Supreme Edition tools, real stock investing, and CySEC + FCA dual regulation.

    Min deposit
    €25
    EUR/USD
    0.0 pips (Zero), 0.5 pips (Trade)
    Platforms
    4 platforms
    Regulation
    CySEC, FCA
  8. 8#8

    Saxo Bank

    9.0/10

    Saxo Bank is a fully licensed Danish bank offering 72,000+ instruments including real stocks, bonds, and futures via its award-winning SaxoTrader platform.

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.8–1.6 pips (Classic minimum by country: UK 0.8; Saxo Bank A/S 1.1; France 1.6); lower on Platinum/VIP
    Platforms
    3 platforms
    Regulation
    Danish FSA, FCA
  9. 9#9

    Plus500

    8.3/10

    Plus500 is a London Stock Exchange-listed broker offering CFD-only trading through its proprietary Plus500 Platform. No commissions & tight spreads; additional fees may apply. CFDs are complex financial products and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

    Min deposit
    €100
    EUR/USD
    From 0.8 pips (variable)
    Platforms
    3 platforms
    Regulation
    CySEC, FCA

2026 Austria Category Winners

The best broker in each category relevant to Austrian traders.

Top 5 Brokers for Austria at a Glance

RankBrokerAT ScoreEUR/USDMin DepositRegulatorBaFin
#1Pepperstone9.3From 0.0 pips (Razor), from 1.0 pips (Standard); EU entity averages 0.1 (Razor) and 1.1 (Standard)NoneBaFin, CySEC, FCAYes
#2IG9.30.6–0.9 pips minimum (0.6 at IG UK and IG International; 0.9 at IG Europe)NoneBaFin, FCAYes
#3IC Markets9.0From 0.0 pips (Raw Spread), from 0.8 pips (Standard); Raw Spread EUR/USD average 0.1$200CySECNo
#4eToro8.5From 0.57 pips (0.005% of price at EUR/USD 1.14)$50CySEC, FCANo
#5XM8.6From 0.0 pips (Zero), from 0.8 pips (Ultra Low); XM EU entity, Ultra Low average 1.1$5CySECNo

ESMA Leverage Rules for Austrian Traders

The FMA enforces ESMA's retail investor protection measures in full. These leverage caps apply to all retail forex and CFD traders in Austria regardless of which EU broker they use.

Asset ClassMax Retail LeverageExample
Major FX Pairs30:1EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY
Minor FX Pairs & Gold20:1EUR/GBP, EUR/AUD, XAU/USD
Commodities (ex. Gold)10:1Brent crude, natural gas, silver
Equity Indices5:1ATX, EURO STOXX 50, DAX 40
Individual Equities5:1Erste Group, OMV, Verbund
Cryptocurrencies2:1BTC/USD, ETH/USD

Free: Broker Regulatory Cheatsheet

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Forex Tax in Austria: What Traders Need to Know

Trading profits in Austria are subject to the Kapitalertragsteuer (KESt) at a flat rate of 27.5%. This applies to all investment income including gains from forex CFD trading, regardless of holding period or trade volume.

ItemDetail
KESt RateFlat 27.5%
Applies ToAll realised capital gains on financial instruments (forex CFDs, shares, ETFs, bonds, crypto since 2022)
Loss OffsettingSame-category gains within the calendar year; no annual cap on derivative losses (as in Germany, which abolished its EUR 20,000 cap in 2024)
Loss CarryforwardNot permitted for securities under § 27a EStG — losses must be used within the same tax year
WithholdingAustrian brokers/banks withhold KESt automatically at source (endbesteuerungsfähig)
Foreign BrokersNo withholding — self-assessment via Anlage KAP in the Einkommensteuererklärung (Form E1)

No annual cap on derivative losses: Austria allows full offsetting of derivative losses against derivative gains within the same calendar year, though with no carryforward beyond it. Germany once capped such losses at EUR 20,000 per year, but the Jahressteuergesetz 2024 abolished that cap — and Germany permits indefinite carryforward, so on the loss-offset axis Germany is now at least as favourable.

Endbesteuerung (final taxation): When KESt is withheld by an Austrian bank or broker, the tax obligation is considered final — no further declaration is required. This applies to gains on listed securities and standardised derivatives. However, most forex traders use foreign EU brokers where no Austrian withholding occurs, making self-assessment mandatory.

Comparison with neighbouring jurisdictions: Austria's flat 27.5% KESt sits between Germany's 25% Abgeltungsteuer (plus 5.5% Solidaritätszuschlag, effective ~26.375%) and Italy's flat 26%. Switzerland does not tax private capital gains at all for non-professional traders, but Swiss-resident traders forfeit ESMA protections. France's PFU is 30% (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social charges). Ireland charges 33% CGT but allows unlimited loss carryforward. Austria's rate is competitive within the DACH region. Germany's old EUR 20,000 derivative loss cap was abolished in 2024, so Austria no longer holds a loss-offset edge over Germany; Germany even permits indefinite loss carryforward, which Austria does not.

Crypto since 2022: Since the ÖkoSozStG reform (1 March 2022), cryptocurrency gains are also subject to the flat 27.5% KESt rate, aligning the treatment with other financial instruments. Previously, crypto held for over one year was tax-exempt.

We recommend consulting an Austrian tax adviser (Steuerberater) for your individual circumstances.

Cross-Jurisdiction Tax Comparison

Austria's 27.5% KESt is mid-range for the EU. Its edge for active traders is same-year full loss offsetting, though it allows no carryforward; Germany abolished its EUR 20,000 derivative loss cap in 2024 and permits indefinite carryforward, closing the gap for traders with significant drawdowns.

CountryRateLoss OffsetKey Difference
Austria27.5% flatFull offset, same category, no carryforwardNo derivative loss cap; endbesteuerung (final taxation) when Austrian broker withholds KESt; crypto taxed at 27.5% since ÖkoSozStG 2022
Germany25% + 5.5% soliFull loss offset (EUR 20k cap abolished 2024)EUR 20,000 derivative-loss cap repealed by the Jahressteuergesetz 2024; Abgeltungsteuer withheld by German brokers
FranceFlat 30% PFUFull offset, 10-year carryPFU bundles income tax + social charges; opt-in progressive scale possible; form 3916 foreign account declaration
ItalyFlat 26%Full offset, 4-year carryQuadro RW foreign asset declaration (no minimum); IVAFE 0.2% wealth tax on foreign assets
Spain19–28% tieredFull offset, 4-year carryModelo 720 foreign asset declaration above EUR 50,000; tiered rates favour smaller gains
NetherlandsBox 3: 36% on deemed returnNot applicable (deemed)Tax on presumed ~6% yield, not actual gains; EUR 57,000 exemption; favours profitable traders
Ireland33% CGTFull offset, unlimited carryEUR 1,270 annual exemption; no foreign-asset declaration; split-year payment dates

Rates as of August 2026. See our EU Forex Tax Map 2026 for all 29 jurisdictions.

Austria-Specific Considerations

ATX trading and Austrian equity CFDs. Traders interested in the domestic market can access the ATX (Austrian Traded Index) via index CFDs and individual Austrian equities — Erste Group, OMV, Verbund, voestalpine, Wienerberger, Raiffeisen Bank International — as share CFDs. IG and Saxo Bank offer the broadest coverage of Wiener Börse-listed shares. ESMA leverage caps apply: 5:1 for equity indices, 5:1 for individual shares. Austrian equities are less liquid than DAX 40 constituents, so wider spreads and higher overnight financing costs are typical. The ATX correlates strongly with the DAX due to Austria's deep economic integration with Germany.

Austrian deposit and withdrawal methods. SEPA bank transfers are the standard funding method across all EU brokers. Several brokers also support EPS (Electronic Payment Standard), Austria's domestic online banking system used by virtually all Austrian banks including Erste Bank, Raiffeisenbank, BAWAG, and Volksbank. Sofort (now part of Klarna) is widely available and processes instantly. PayPal and Skrill are additional options at most brokers on this list. Check for withdrawal fees — the best brokers (Pepperstone, IC Markets) charge none.

KESt implications for broker selection. The 27.5% Kapitalertragsteuer is final when withheld by an Austrian bank or broker (endbesteuerungsfähig), eliminating the need for a tax return on those gains. However, since most forex traders use foreign EU brokers — none of the brokers on this list withhold Austrian KESt — self-assessment via the Einkommensteuererklärung (Form E1) is mandatory. This is not a reason to avoid foreign brokers: the cost and execution advantages typically outweigh the administrative burden. Austria does not require a foreign-asset declaration form (unlike Italy's Quadro RW or Spain's Modelo 720), reducing the compliance overhead of using non-Austrian brokers.

FMA enforcement and the public register. The FMA publishes a searchable register of all firms authorised to provide financial services in Austria, including those passporting in under MiFID II. Before opening an account, traders should verify the broker's entry in the FMA's Unternehmensdatenbank. The FMA has been active in enforcement — it banned binary options distribution to Austrian retail clients in 2019 and regularly issues warnings against unauthorised firms. The FMA's investor alerts page lists firms that have approached Austrian consumers without authorisation.

Professional account pathway. Austrian traders who meet at least two of three ESMA criteria — relevant financial-sector experience, a financial instrument portfolio exceeding EUR 500,000, or at least 10 significant trades per quarter over the past year — can apply for professional reclassification. Professional accounts unlock higher leverage (up to 500:1 with some brokers) but forfeit negative balance protection and the investor compensation scheme ceiling. Pepperstone, IG, and Saxo Bank offer professional account tiers with clear application processes. The tax treatment under KESt remains identical for professional and retail accounts.

Trading hours and session overlap. The Wiener Börse operates 09:00–17:30 CET, overlapping fully with the Frankfurt and London sessions. For forex traders, the Frankfurt–London overlap (09:00–17:30 CET) delivers the tightest EUR/USD spreads and deepest liquidity. The London–New York overlap (14:30–17:30 CET) is the highest-volume period globally. Austrian public holidays (26 October National Day, 8 December Immaculate Conception, etc.) do not affect forex market hours but may delay domestic bank transfers.

How to Choose a Forex Broker in Austria

Austrian traders have access to any EU-regulated broker via MiFID II passporting, but the following factors deserve particular attention.

FactorWhy It Matters in Austria
EU/EEA RegulationEnsure the broker holds a licence from an EU/EEA regulator (CySEC, BaFin, FCA, etc.) and is listed on the FMA's public register of passported firms operating in Austria.
Trading CostsCompare all-in costs (spread + commission) per lot. At 27.5% capital gains tax, cost efficiency directly impacts net returns for Austrian traders.
Tax ReportingAustrian brokers withhold Kapitalertragsteuer automatically. Foreign EU brokers do not, requiring manual reporting via your Einkommensteuererklärung.
EUR Account Base CurrencyAvoid unnecessary currency conversion fees by selecting a broker that supports EUR-denominated accounts.
German-Language SupportAustrian traders naturally prefer German-language customer support, platform interfaces, and documentation. Not every EU broker offers this.
Deposit and WithdrawalSEPA bank transfers are standard. Check for additional methods (EPS, Sofort, PayPal) and confirm there are no withdrawal fees.

How We Rank Brokers for Austria

Our Austria ranking uses the same weighting structure as our Germany rankings, reflecting the similar priorities of German-speaking traders in both markets: regulatory safety and cost efficiency.

DimensionAustria WeightWhat We Assess
Regulation30%EU/EEA licence, FMA passporting status, compensation scheme, ESMA compliance, safety track record
Fees25%EUR/USD spread, commission, swap rates, withdrawal fees, inactivity charges
Platforms15%Platform variety, charting depth, mobile apps, German-language interface
Execution10%Execution model (ECN/STP/market maker), published execution statistics where disclosed, stated slippage and requote policies
Instruments10%Forex pairs, ATX/Euro Stoxx, commodities, share CFDs, crypto
Support5%German-language support, response time, channels (chat/phone/email)
Education5%German-language resources, webinars, structured courses, demo account quality

Related Comparisons

Original Research

Country Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best forex broker in Austria for 2026?
Pepperstone is the best forex broker in Austria for 2026. It holds a BaFin licence (no. 151148) and serves Austrian clients under MiFID II passporting, offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips, zero minimum deposit, and four trading platforms including MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. IG is the strongest alternative for traders who want 17,000+ instruments and a half-century track record.
Is forex trading legal in Austria?
Forex trading is fully legal in Austria. The market is supervised by the Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA), which enforces ESMA rules including leverage caps of 30:1 on major pairs, mandatory negative balance protection, and segregated client funds. Austrian traders should use brokers authorised by the FMA or another EU/EEA regulator passporting into Austria under MiFID II.
What does FMA regulation mean for Austrian forex traders?
The FMA (Finanzmarktaufsicht) is Austria’s integrated financial regulator, responsible for supervising banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and securities firms, and it supervises how firms conduct themselves in the Austrian market. It does not follow that the brokers Austrians use are FMA-licensed: none of the brokers ranked on this page holds a direct FMA concession in our data. They are authorised elsewhere in the EU/EEA — BaFin, CySEC, the Central Bank of Ireland and others — and passport into Austria under MiFID II. The protections travel with that home-state licence: ESMA leverage caps, negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and the investor compensation scheme of the licensing state.
What leverage is available to Austrian forex traders?
Under ESMA rules that the FMA enforces, retail traders in Austria are limited to 30:1 leverage on major forex pairs, 20:1 on minor pairs and gold, 10:1 on commodities, 5:1 on individual equities, and 2:1 on cryptocurrencies. Professional clients who meet eligibility criteria (portfolio over EUR 500,000, relevant experience, sufficient trade frequency) can apply for higher leverage.
Do I need to pay tax on forex profits in Austria?
Forex trading profits in Austria are subject to Kapitalertragsteuer (capital gains tax) at a flat rate of 27.5%. This applies to all investment income including forex CFD profits. Austrian brokers typically withhold the tax automatically. When using a foreign EU broker, traders must declare and pay the tax themselves through their annual tax return. Losses from derivatives can be offset against other investment gains within the same year. Consult an Austrian tax adviser (Steuerberater) for your specific situation.
Which EU-regulated brokers offer the lowest spreads to Austrian traders?
Among EU-regulated brokers available to Austrian traders, Pepperstone offers the tightest pricing with raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Razor account. IC Markets matches this at 0.0 pips raw on its cTrader and Raw Spread accounts. XTB comes in around 0.5 pips on its Standard account. All three hold EU licences and serve Austrian clients under MiFID II passporting.
Can Austrian traders use brokers regulated outside Austria?
Austrian traders can legally use any broker authorised in the EU/EEA under the MiFID II passporting framework. A CySEC-regulated broker or a BaFin-regulated broker, for example, can serve Austrian clients with full ESMA protections. The FMA maintains a public register of all firms passporting into Austria, which traders can verify before opening an account.
What is the best forex broker in Austria for beginners?
XM is the best forex broker for Austrian beginners, offering a $5 minimum deposit, structured educational content, and multilingual support including German. For beginners who prefer a platform with social trading features, eToro provides an intuitive interface and a CySEC-regulated EU entity with copy-trading built in.
Ist Forex-Handel in Österreich erlaubt?
Ja. Der Handel mit Devisen und CFDs ist in Österreich legal. Die Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA) beaufsichtigt das Wohlverhalten der Anbieter im Inland. Die meisten Broker, die österreichische Kundinnen und Kunden betreuen, halten allerdings keine eigene FMA-Konzession, sondern arbeiten über den MiFID-II-Pass aus einem anderen EU-/EWR-Staat heraus — etwa mit einer BaFin-, CySEC- oder Zentralbank-of-Ireland-Zulassung. Der Schutz ist derselbe: ESMA-Hebelgrenzen von 30:1 bei den Hauptwährungspaaren, verpflichtender Negativsaldoschutz und getrennt verwahrte Kundengelder.
Braucht ein Forex Broker eine FMA-Konzession, um in Österreich tätig zu sein?
Nein. Eine Zulassung durch eine andere EU-/EWR-Aufsichtsbehörde genügt: Über den europäischen Pass nach MiFID II darf ein so zugelassenes Institut Wertpapierdienstleistungen auch in Österreich erbringen. Genau so arbeiten praktisch alle Broker in diesem Vergleich — keiner von ihnen ist in unseren Daten mit einer österreichischen FMA-Konzession erfasst. Die FMA führt ein öffentliches Register der zugelassenen und der nach Österreich notifizierten Unternehmen sowie eine laufend aktualisierte Investorenwarnliste. Beides sollte vor der ersten Einzahlung geprüft werden.
Welcher Hebel gilt für österreichische Privatanleger?
Für Privatkunden gelten in Österreich die ESMA-Obergrenzen: 30:1 auf Haupt-Währungspaare, 20:1 auf Nebenpaare und Gold, 10:1 auf sonstige Rohstoffe, 5:1 auf Aktienindizes und Einzelaktien sowie 2:1 auf Kryptowährungen. Wer die Kriterien für die Einstufung als professioneller Kunde erfüllt (Portfolio über 500.000 EUR, einschlägige Erfahrung, ausreichende Handelsfrequenz), kann beim Broker eine Höherstufung beantragen — verliert damit aber den Negativsaldoschutz und in der Regel den Anlegerentschädigungsschutz.
Wie werden Forex-Gewinne in Österreich besteuert?
Gewinne aus dem Devisen- und CFD-Handel unterliegen in Österreich der Kapitalertragsteuer von 27,5 Prozent. Bei einem inländischen Institut wird die KESt einbehalten und die Steuer ist damit abgegolten; bei einem ausländischen EU-Broker gibt es keinen Abzug an der Quelle, sodass die Erträge selbst in der Steuererklärung anzugeben sind. Verluste aus Derivaten können innerhalb desselben Jahres mit anderen Kapitalerträgen derselben Kategorie verrechnet werden, ein Vortrag in Folgejahre ist nicht vorgesehen. Für den Einzelfall ist eine Steuerberaterin oder ein Steuerberater zuständig — dies ist keine Steuerberatung.
Was passiert mit meinem Geld, wenn der Broker insolvent wird?
Kundengelder sind nach MiFID II getrennt vom Betriebsvermögen des Brokers zu verwahren. Kommt es dennoch zum Ausfall, greift die Anlegerentschädigung des Herkunftsstaats der jeweiligen Lizenz — bei einem zyprischen Institut der ICF, bei einem deutschen die dortige Entschädigungseinrichtung, bei einem österreichischen Institut die Anlegerentschädigung (AeW). Die Deckungshöhe richtet sich nach dem jeweiligen nationalen System; welche Einrichtung zuständig ist, ergibt sich aus der Lizenz, unter der Ihr Konto tatsächlich geführt wird. Diese steht in den Vertragsunterlagen und ist vor der Kontoeröffnung zu prüfen.
Worauf sollten österreichische Trader bei der Brokerwahl achten?
Auf vier Punkte: erstens die Lizenz, unter der Ihr Konto geführt wird (EU-/EWR-Zulassung mit MiFID-II-Pass, nicht bloß eine Offshore-Registrierung derselben Marke); zweitens die Gesamtkosten je Trade aus Spread plus Kommission statt nur des beworbenen Mindest-Spreads; drittens ein Konto in Euro, um Umrechnungskosten zu vermeiden; viertens deutschsprachiger Support und deutschsprachige Vertragsunterlagen. Die vollständige Bewertung mit Mindesteinlage, EUR/USD-Spread und Lizenz finden Sie in der englischsprachigen Rangliste weiter unten.

CFD Risk Warning

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This website is for informational purposes only. The content does not constitute investment advice. Trading leveraged products carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.