Best Brokers with Professional Account 2026

ESMA-exempt leverage up to 500:1 for traders who qualify as professional clients.

Last verified: April 2026

Quick Answer

The best EU-regulated forex brokers offering a Professional Account in 2026 are IG, Saxo Bank, Exness. Typical pricing on this account model is Same as retail equivalent with Same as retail equivalent, and minimum deposits range from EUR 1,000 - EUR 10,000+.

What is a Professional Account?

A Professional Account at an EU-regulated broker lets qualifying traders opt out of ESMA's retail protections in exchange for significantly higher leverage (up to 500:1), access to bonuses and incentives, and a simplified disclosure environment. To qualify, you must meet two of three criteria: a portfolio of EUR 500,000 or more, at least 10 significant trades per quarter over the past year, or at least one year's experience working in the financial industry. Professional accounts are not suitable for most retail traders but are essential for experienced traders who want maximum capital efficiency.

Typical Spread

Same as retail equivalent

Typical Commission

Same as retail equivalent

Typical Min Deposit

EUR 1,000 - EUR 10,000+

Typical Features

✓Leverage up to 500:1 on major forex pairs (vs 30:1 retail)
✓Exempt from bonus ban and other ESMA retail restrictions
✓Access to higher-risk products that are restricted for retail
✓No automatic negative balance protection (broker may still offer it)
✓Simplified regulatory disclosures
✓Dedicated account manager at many brokers

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓Up to 500:1 leverage for capital-efficient trading
✓Exempt from ESMA bonus ban
✓Access to restricted products like binary options and higher-leverage CFDs
✓Dedicated support and account management
✓No cost difference versus retail accounts

Cons

✗Loss of mandatory negative balance protection at some brokers
✗Must meet two of three strict eligibility criteria
✗Higher leverage magnifies losses as well as gains
✗Not suitable for anyone still learning to trade consistently
✗Formal application and documentation required

Who Should Use a Professional Account?

Experienced traders with a proven trading history, substantial capital (EUR 500K+ portfolio), or financial-industry backgrounds. Not appropriate for beginners or anyone who has not completed at least a full year of consistent live trading.

Top 3 Brokers for Professional Account

#1IG

9.2

BaFin, FCA

CFD, Spread Betting (UK), Share Dealing, Professional

Open IG Account

#2Saxo Bank

9.0

Danish FSA, FCA

Classic, Platinum, VIP

Open Saxo Bank Account

#3Exness

8.8

CySEC, FCA

Standard, Standard Cent, Pro, Raw Spread, Zero

Open Exness Account

Full Comparison Table

All EU-regulated brokers offering a professional account, ranked by the quality of their offering for this account model.

# ▲▼	Broker ▲▼	Score ▲▼	Min Deposit ▲▼	EUR/USD ▲▼	Max Leverage ▲▼	Regulators ▲▼	Platforms ▲▼	Action
1	IG	9.2	None	0.6 pips average	30:1	BaFinFCAASIC	IG Platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView	Visit
2	Saxo Bank	9.0	None	0.6 pips (Platinum), 0.8 pips (Classic)	30:1	Danish FSAFCAASIC	SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, SaxoInvestor	Visit
3	Exness	8.8	$10	0.0 pips (Raw), 0.3 pips (Pro), 1.0 pips (Standard)	30:1	CySECFCAFSA	MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Exness Terminal, Exness App	Visit
4	XTB	8.8	None	0.1 pips (Pro), 0.5 pips (Standard)	30:1	KNFCySECFCA	xStation 5, xStation App	Visit
5	eToro	8.5	$50	1.0 pips	30:1	CySECFCAASIC	eToro Platform, eToro App	Visit
6	Axi	8.4	None	0.0 pips (Pro), 1.0 pips (Standard)	30:1	FCAASICDFSA	MetaTrader 4, Axi Copy Trading App	Visit
7	Vantage	8.3	$50	0.0 pips (Raw ECN), 1.0 pips (Standard)	30:1	ASICFCAVFSC	MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProTrader, TradingView	Visit
8	Plus500	8.1	€100	0.8 pips typical	30:1	CySECFCAASIC	Plus500 Platform, Plus500 App	Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify as a Professional Client in the EU?

ESMA requires you to meet two of these three criteria: (1) a financial instrument portfolio of at least EUR 500,000 including cash deposits, (2) at least 10 significant transactions per quarter over the past four quarters on the relevant market, or (3) at least one year's professional experience in the financial sector in a position requiring knowledge of CFD trading. You must actively apply and provide documented evidence.

Is a Professional Account worth it?

For experienced traders with substantial capital, yes. The main advantage is access to leverage up to 500:1 versus the retail cap of 30:1 on major forex pairs, which allows more capital-efficient position sizing. However, Professional traders lose some ESMA protections including mandatory negative balance protection at certain brokers, so the higher leverage comes with real additional risk.

Do Professional accounts have higher costs?

No — the spread, commission, and fee structures are identical to the retail equivalent account at the same broker. The difference is purely in leverage limits, bonus eligibility, and regulatory classification, not in trading costs.

Which brokers offer Professional accounts in the EU?

Virtually all EU-regulated brokers offer Professional account status on application, including IC Markets, Pepperstone, IG, Saxo Bank, CMC Markets, OANDA, Plus500, Admirals, and XTB. The application process typically takes one to two weeks and requires documentation proving you meet ESMA's three qualifying criteria.

Explore Other Account Types

Standard Account Raw Spread Account ECN Account Islamic / Swap-Free Account Micro Account VIP / Platinum Account Demo Account

CFD Risk Warning

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% 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. EU retail leverage limits apply (ESMA): up to 30:1 on major FX pairs, 20:1 on minor FX, 20:1 on major indices, 10:1 on commodities, 5:1 on equities, 2:1 on crypto.