eToro Beginner Guide — Step by Step from Registration to First Investment

1.1 — Go to eToro.com and click “Sign Up”

Navigate to eToro.com and click the green “Sign Up” or “Join Now” button. You can register with an email address, or use Google or Apple sign-in as a shortcut. Choose whichever you are most comfortable with — all three work identically once your account is set up.

Enter a username, your email address, and a strong password. eToro will send a verification email to the address you provide. Open that email and click the confirmation link before continuing.

1.2 — Note: Your account currency

eToro has been rolling out EUR-denominated accounts for eligible European users, including the Netherlands. If you are offered a EUR account during signup, accept it — it eliminates the EUR→USD conversion cost on every deposit and withdrawal. If your account is denominated in USD, a currency conversion fee of approximately 0.5% applies on iDEAL deposits.

For a USD account: depositing €100 via iDEAL results in approximately $103–$104 reaching your account balance after conversion costs. This is worth knowing upfront so you are not surprised by the difference.

2.1 — Upload your identity document

Go to the “Complete Profile” section after logging in. eToro will ask for a photo or scan of your passport or Dutch ID card. The document must be valid (not expired) and the photo must be clear — blurred images are rejected and add days to processing time. A photo taken with your smartphone in good lighting is sufficient.

2.2 — Upload proof of address

You will also need a proof of address document: a recent bank statement (from the last three months) or a utility bill showing your full name and Dutch address. A printed PDF from your online banking portal is accepted. Make sure the document shows your name, address, and date clearly.

2.3 — Provide your BSN

During the verification form, eToro will ask for your BSN (Burgerservicenummer). This is required for EU anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. Your BSN is stored securely and is not visible to other users. Every regulated Dutch broker asks for this — if one does not, that is a warning sign.

3.1 — Choosing your deposit method

Go to “Deposit Funds” in your account menu. eToro supports iDEAL (Netherlands), bank/wire transfer, credit/debit card, and several e-wallets. iDEAL is the fastest option: funds appear in your account within minutes. Bank transfers take 1–3 business days but carry no transaction fee from eToro’s side .

3.2 — The EUR→USD conversion (USD accounts only)

If your account is denominated in USD, eToro converts your euros at the time of deposit. The conversion rate includes a spread of approximately 0.5%. In practice: depositing €200 gives you roughly $215–$218 in account balance, depending on the live exchange rate and conversion spread. This same conversion applies in reverse when you withdraw — your USD balance is converted back to euros, and the same spread applies again.

Furthermore, if you buy US-listed ETFs or stocks with a EUR account, no additional FX conversion applies on those instruments because eToro handles the currency internally. However, if you buy USD-priced assets with a EUR account, a separate currency conversion cost may apply at the asset level.

3.3 — Minimum deposit

The minimum first deposit is $50 (approximately €47 at current exchange rates) . Subsequent deposits have a lower minimum of $10 . Starting with €100–€200 gives you enough to make a meaningful first investment and still understand the experience before committing larger amounts.

4.1 — The eToro Dashboard

The main dashboard shows three key areas: the News Feed (social activity from other investors), the Watchlist (a customisable list of assets you are monitoring), and the Portfolio tab (your current holdings). As a beginner, you will primarily use the search bar and the Portfolio tab. The social feed can be useful for market awareness, but it can also be noisy — many posts are opinions rather than analysis.

4.2 — The Virtual Portfolio ($100,000 demo)

eToro provides every user with a virtual portfolio pre-loaded with $100,000 in simulated funds. This is a genuine practice environment: you can search for real assets, place simulated buy orders at real market prices, and watch how your “portfolio” performs — with zero real money at risk. Additionally, this is an excellent way to practice before your first real trade.

To access it, click the portfolio icon and look for the “Virtual Portfolio” toggle at the top. Switch to virtual mode, make a practice purchase, and confirm you understand the buy screen before using real funds.

5.1 — Search for VWRD.L / VWRL (or your chosen asset)

Type “VWRL” or “VWRD” in the eToro search bar. The platform will show several results. Look for “VWRD.L” (Vanguard FTSE All-World, listed on the London Stock Exchange in USD) — this is the EUR-denominated unit. This is the same fund as VWRL (ISIN IE00B3RBWM25), listed in USD. A 0.5% currency conversion fee applies on EUR deposits. Click the asset name to open its detail page, then click “Trade” or “Invest”.

5.2 — Market order vs. limit order

The buy screen will ask you to choose an order type:

• Market order — you buy immediately at the current market price. The price you see is approximately what you pay. This is suitable for most beginners buying ETFs during market hours.
• Limit order — you set a maximum price you are willing to pay. The order only executes if the asset trades at or below your specified price. Useful if you want price control, but the order may not fill immediately (or at all if the price does not reach your limit).

For a first purchase of a liquid ETF like VWRL, a market order is entirely appropriate.

5.3 — Set your amount and confirm

Enter the amount you wish to invest (in USD for USD accounts, or EUR for EUR accounts). Make sure the leverage selector shows ×1 — this means you are buying the real asset with no leverage. If leverage is set higher than ×1, you are entering a CFD contract, which is a fundamentally different product. Click “Open Trade” to confirm. Your investment will appear in your Portfolio tab within seconds.

eToro charges zero commission on ETF purchases. For individual stocks, a commission of $1–$2 per transaction applies (opened October 2024).

6.1 — Portfolio tracking

Your Portfolio tab shows your current holdings, the purchase price, current market value, and unrealised gain or loss. The percentage shown reflects the price movement of the asset — not including any fees you have paid. For a long-term investor buying ETFs, checking once a week (or once a month) is entirely sufficient. Checking daily tends to lead to emotional decision-making.

6.2 — Dividends

If the ETF or stock you purchased pays dividends, these are credited automatically to your eToro account balance. VWRL (VWRD.L on eToro), for example, distributes dividends approximately four times per year. These appear as cash deposits in your portfolio. You can reinvest them manually by placing another buy order.

6.3 — When not to panic-sell

Markets go down. A 10–20% drawdown in a given year is historically normal, not exceptional. The worst time to sell is during a market dip — you lock in a loss and miss the recovery. A globally diversified ETF like VWRL has recovered from every historical drawdown over a long enough time horizon. However, past performance is not indicative of future results. The key question to ask yourself before investing: could I leave this money untouched for at least five years? If not, do not invest it.

6.4 — Withdrawals

To withdraw funds, go to Portfolio → Withdraw Funds. The minimum withdrawal is $30, and eToro charges a withdrawal fee of $5 per transaction . Funds typically arrive within 1–2 business days. For USD accounts, your balance is converted back to euros at withdrawal — the same FX spread applies as on deposit.