Trading Overview
Austria's financial market is supervised by the FMA (Financial Market Authority), which enforces ESMA regulations and maintains additional Austrian-specific requirements. German-speaking traders benefit from access to both Austrian and German broker entities.
Austria's flat 27.5% KESt (Kapitalertragsteuer) on forex profits is slightly higher than Germany's effective rate of ~26.375%. Austrian brokers typically withhold this tax automatically for clients using 'Abzugsteuerpflichtige' accounts, simplifying tax compliance.
As a German-speaking market, Austrian traders have access to all brokers offering German-language platforms and support. Popular choices include Pepperstone (through its German BaFin entity), IG, eToro, and Saxo Bank.
Regulator
FMA
Currency
EUR
Compensation Limit
EUR 20,000 (securities)
Language
German
Tax Information
Forex profits are subject to Kapitalertragsteuer (capital gains tax) at a flat rate of 27.5%. This applies to all capital gains including forex. Losses from leveraged products can be offset against gains from the same category. Austrian brokers typically withhold KESt automatically.
This is general information only. Consult a local tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Investor Protection & Compensation
Compensation Limit: EUR 20,000 (securities)
If a regulated broker operating in Austria becomes insolvent, eligible clients are covered by the national investor compensation scheme up to the limit shown above. This protection is mandatory under EU law for all regulated investment firms.
All EU-regulated brokers must also provide negative balance protection and keep client funds in segregated accounts separate from their operating funds.
Popular Brokers in Austria
The most widely used forex brokers among traders in Austria, all regulated for the EU market.
Min Deposit
None
EUR/USD
0.0 pips
Max Leverage
Up to 1:30
BaFin
CySEC
FCAPepperstone 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.
73.7% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Min Deposit
None
EUR/USD
0.6 pips average
Max Leverage
Up to 1:30
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.
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.
Min Deposit
$50
EUR/USD
1.0 pips
Max Leverage
Up to 1:30
eToro is the world's leading social trading platform, letting EU traders copy successful investors while also offering commission-free stock trading alongside forex.
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.
Min Deposit
None
EUR/USD
0.6 pips
Max Leverage
Up to 1:30
Saxo Bank is a fully licensed Danish bank offering 72,000+ instruments including real stocks, bonds, and futures via its award-winning SaxoTrader platform.
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.
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