Best Forex Brokers in France 2023

Summary

Investors in Paris might definitely be thinking of how to choose a forex broker in France. Choosing a forex broker has never been a difficult task. The best forex brokers in France are regulated by EU authorities including CySEC or local governing bodies like AMF. They offer their services to make trading easier for French investors. Capital.com and eToro are reliable and safe forex brokers where you can invest your hard-earned money. With plenty of perks for the traders, such as limited leverage and negative balance protection, forex trading is becoming legit popular in France, particularly in Paris. However, knowing the benefits and drawbacks of forex trading in France is just as crucial as keeping a variety of aspects in mind when selecting a French forex broker.

Forex Trading in France

France is a part of the European Union and serves as a strong economy. Fixed exchange rates were abandoned as a result of the 1970’s breakdown of the Bretton Woods system. Based on the dynamics of demand as well as supply in the market, currencies began to move freely against one another. A key turning point in the development of forex trading was highlighted by this change. Like numerous other currencies, the French franc made the switch to an exchange rate system that fluctuates.

The financial markets in France are doing great with infinite trades in almost all instruments. The country plays a huge role in the performance of the European Forex Market. The forex market in France gained all of the attention of the traders and grew over time. Its popularity is going to increase more over time due to its robust structure and high competition. Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is a financial regulatory body that oversees the activities of Forex Brokers and the Forex market so that they comply with the regulations set forth by France.

Today, there are numerous individuals in the flourishing forex market in France. Through a variety of online forex brokers and platforms that provide a huge selection of currency pairs and trading tools, traders can access the forex market.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Forex Broker in France

Before choosing a forex broker, there are some factors to consider and here are the major ones to look out for.

Regulation

The broker’s regulation should be the main concern of a trader. If a broker is regulated, it becomes the safest option for traders and a great assurance that their investments are safe with the broker. In France, AMF is the official regulatory body that supervises the brokers. However, many international brokers holding the license from other European regulatory bodies like CySEC, are also allowed to provide brokerage services to French traders. For Instance, eToro and Capital.com are CySEC regulated and can be used for forex trading in France. The regulated forex brokers ensure the protection from any kind of scam and fraud.

Trading Instruments

All of the brokers have a different range of instruments that they offer to their clients. When choosing a forex broker, the trader needs to see if the broker provides a wide range of instruments such as commodities, crypto, indices, stocks, etc., or not. A wide range of instruments can help traders in diversifying their portfolios and mitigate risk. Traders can also compare the fees charged by different brokers by evaluating the fee structure of each instrument and deciding the one that offers fair pricing.

Trading Platforms

Forex traders need to look for brokers that provide a modern and intuitive trading platform. The platforms with cutting-edge technologies make the trading journey easier for traders. The trading platforms decide how much information and analytical tools will be available to the trader. They need to make sure the platform has a customization tool to keep their preferences on top. So, while some brokers in France offer proprietary trading platforms as well as MT4/MT5, the traders need to look out for secure and authorized platforms to avoid errors and scams.

Fees and Commission

Fees and commissions play a huge role in determining the cost of a trade. Traders need to make sure that they are fully aware of all kinds of fees charged by the broker. Brokers charge fees such as spread, commission, and overnight charges. There are also some other fees charged by brokers too when trading in France’s forex market.

Collectively the fee structure can add up to the trading cost so the traders need to select a broker that offers competitive pricing. The pricing has an impact on the trading strategies employed by a trader.

Spreads

Every forex broker in France offers different spreads. Some brokers offer tight spreads while others offer wide spreads. The spread is the amount of difference between the bid and ask prices of an instrument. It is the fee charged by a broker for carrying out a trade. In the case of forex trading, traders benefit from tighter spreads offered by the brokers instead of wider spreads. So it’s crucial to choose a broker with competitive spreads like eToro and Capital.com.

Leverage

Leverage allows traders to trade bigger positions with less initial capital. The leverage offered varies from broker to broker. For instance, the maximum leverage offered to forex traders in France is 1:30. Traders usually prefer high leverage to earn more benefits but high leverage comes with high risk. So, forex traders should be mindful of the risks and choose a broker that also offers risk management features.

Payment Method

Traders look for forex brokers that support fast deposits and withdrawals and cater to their needs in the best way possible. Brokers have different fees for different payment methods. Credit cards, debit cards, bank wire, Skrill, PayPal, and many more can be used to fund forex brokers in France; the funding in EUR € is also supported by many brokers; eToro, Plus500, IG, and XM are just a few of the brokers that support the local currency, EUR €. The traders are facilitated by brokers who support the local currency because it is always good to choose a broker that does so to avoid currency conversion costs.

Customer Service

Customer service is crucial to a trader’s successful trading journey. Traders must pick a broker that offers excellent customer service when selecting a forex broker in France. The traders can be beginners or experts. Depending on the situation, they will require assistance and have questions that the customer service team must respond to right away. If a broker wants to serve French forex traders, they must be able to assist in French. Additionally, it is a plus if the broker’s website is likewise available in French. Wherever the broker may be located, it is also best if they have a French phone number that they can be contacted with.

Pros and Cons of Trading with Forex Brokers in France

The pros and cons of the best forex brokers in France are as follows:

Benefits of Trading with Forex Brokers in France

The benefits of trading with French forex brokers are numerous for the trader. The zero spread account that certain brokers offer is the best of all. Some brokers, including Capital.com, do have spreads that are nearly nil. Most brokers only offer small amounts of leverage to lower the risks associated with it and prevent losses. With forex brokers in France, there is only a small minimum deposit needed to start trading. To enter the forex market, traders don’t require a significant quantity of funds. Additionally, a variety of instruments, including shares, CFDs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, are offered by forex brokers in France. Taking into account their trading objectives, traders have varieties of assets to choose from.

How to Start Trading with a Forex Broker in France?

Step 1: Open a Trading Account and Verify Your Identity

1. Select a broker and click on the “Trade” or “Sign Up” button on the web page.
2. A sign up window will appear, provide your email address and password and then click on “Continue.”
3. Click on “Settings” in the bottom left corner to initiate verification.
4. A window will appear that requires you to click on “Verify Account”.
5. Now you have to upload the front and back of your documents to be verified.
6. A window will appear with a notification that your documents are getting verified and taking some time.
7. After successful verification, you will be notified to process further.

Step 2: Deposit Funds

1. After verifying your account, deposit funds into your account by clicking on “Fund Account”.
2. Then choose a deposit method and the amount you want to deposit.

Step 3: Browse Supported Trading Markets and Place a Trade

1. Now after depositing funds, you can search for supported trading markets in the search bar.
2. Now you can place a trade on your preferred forex pair.

Trading Instruments Available on the Best Forex Brokers in France

Most forex brokers in France offer a wide range of instruments other than forex pairs to be traded. Here are all the instruments offered on most brokers.

Forex

Foreign exchange and FX trading are other names for forex. It is one of the markets with the highest levels of competition. On eToro, the leverage for trading EUR/USD is up to 1:30. The most famous pair traded by forex traders is EUR/USD, then comes the USD/JPY, GBP/USD, and USD/CHF. The fact that it is the biggest market in the world and is open around the clock makes it extremely liquid. Traders may buy and sell immediately, ensuring that they are never stuck in a deal. The normal daily range of fluctuation in currencies is 1% or 100 pip variations.

Shares

Traders can speculate on changes in share prices by trading share CFDs. Trading shares of a firm is often preferred by those who want to make a short-term bet on its share price, perhaps during periods of greater fluctuation or market activity. Additionally, they have access to leveraged derivatives like CFDS. Only a little deposit or margin can be used to assess entire market exposure. Leverage may increase both gains and losses, therefore it is important to keep this in mind. There is a 1:5 maximum leverage available on CFD shares through eToro.

Commodities

Natural resources that are obtained and manufactured for use in human activities are referred to as commodities. Commodities are traded on exchanges just like stocks. Gold, silver, US and Brent crude oils, copper, natural gas, and agricultural products including coffee, wheat, and sugar are the most traded commodities by volume. On eToro, traders in France have a maximum leverage of 1:10 to trade commodities.

Indices

Indices act as a barometer for the price growth of a group of stocks from a market. The 100 largest companies trading on the London Stock Exchange are tracked by the FTSE 100, for instance. Trading indices allow traders to instantly obtain exposure to an entire industry or economy with just one trade. On eToro, you can trade indices with a leverage up to 1:10.

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency is a new way of trading in a virtual currency that executes its transactions on the blockchain. All French brokers provide cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, and XRP. On eToro, French traders have access to leverage up to 1:2 to trade cryptos.

The Different Account Types Forex Brokers in France Offer

Forex brokers offer different account types and here are the most common account types that brokers offer French traders.

Demo Account

Before putting their hard-earned money into forex, the majority of brokers provide traders with a free demo account to practice real-world trading. Brokers have different rules, and so do the policies. The primary difference is that traders use real money when utilizing actual trading accounts, whereas demo accounts use virtual currency with no real value. Demo accounts are the ideal choice for French traders to test out their strategies because the market conditions are identical to those on real accounts.

Standard Account

The standard trading account is the one that is used the most by forex traders. Since this account has tight spreads and a lower minimum deposit requirement, it is advised for new traders. Because this type of account requires enough upfront capital to trade complete lots, the majority of brokers provide additional services and better rewards for individual investors who hold one.

Raw/Zero Spread Account

Raw/zero spread accounts facilitate the traders by providing the actual market prices to traders. Forex brokers do not charge any spread on this account. This account suits traders who are committed to reducing their trading costs. Instead of spread or mark up charges, commissions are charged on the trades taken on this account. It also allows traders to get the best price on most assets while trading.

Islamic Account

Muslims can engage in trading the forex market by opening a swap-free or an Islamic Forex account with a broker. It is also known as halal trading account as it differs in many ways from traditional Forex accounts. Since Sharia law prohibits the accrual of interest, traders using Islamic accounts are immune from paying or receiving interest. Additionally, because transactions in Islamic accounts are immediate, it is necessary to transfer money between accounts right away and pay transaction fees at the same time.

Professional Account

Traders need to keep in mind that not everyone can decide to trade as a professional client. Only clients with the necessary market and trading expertise are allowed to accomplish this. While the opportunity of higher leverage is appealing to traders, they should be aware of potential unanticipated dangers if they change their status. If a trader has experience and prefers to use lower margin rates, they can choose to upgrade their account to professional status. Even though the needed minimum deposit is larger for professional accounts, instant execution is still an option.

Trading Platforms Available on Forex Brokers in France

The trading platform that best meets a trader’s objectives is one they are constantly searching for. When choosing forex brokers in France, traders often have a choice between two types of platforms: Desktop Trading Platforms and Mobile Apps.

Desktop Trading Platform

Financial trading is accessible via desktop trading platforms. A broker will often create a proprietary trading platform for its clients to use while trading instruments. The platform enables traders to take advantage of all the special features provided by a broker. French traders can invest in the forex market using the broker’s customized trading platforms.

Apart from this, trading on a desktop terminal is also accessible via third party platforms like the MT4 and MT5. They enable trading the forex market on any browser. All operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac, are compatible with them. The entire online capability of the MetaTrader 4 & 5 can be used by traders to research forex markets and place orders.

eToro is an example of a broker that offers a proprietary platform that is accessible on desktop.

Mobile Apps

The proprietary trading platforms by most of the brokers are also accessible on mobile devices. On both iOS and Android devices, users can download a broker’s mobile app. For instance, the eToro mobile app provides access to its proprietary platform. It has navigational tools, as well as customizable features like in-depth charting for seasoned forex traders.

The MT4 and MT5 mobile apps can also be downloaded on mobile devices. They are the best iterations of MetaQuotes’ trading software. The full spectrum of trading operations, including reviewing the trading history and executing in-depth analyses using chart patterns and graphical objects, are all possible with the MT4 & MT5 mobile app.

Payment Methods Accepted by Forex Brokers in France

Funding is the method of transferring funds into the trading account a trader opened with a broker. The transfer can be done through the bank account of the trader and related sources. Almost every French Forex Broker offers a different range of payment methods for their clients to make the withdrawal and deposit process easier for them. For instance, eToro accepts Bank Transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and Credit and Debit cards. Credit and Debit cards accepted include Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, Discover cards, and Maestro.

Forex Trading Regulation in France

Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) is the most popular regulating body in Europe. Brokers from France or any other country having a license from this agency can provide forex trading services to France residents. For instance, brokers such as Capital.com and eToro are the best examples.

Furthermore, AMF, which is known as the local French regulatory body, also supervises the activities and affairs of financial markets as well as forex brokers. Their duty includes issuing licenses to brokers to operate in France. The unlicensed brokers are made public to help traders stay away from them. French regulators have been working hard to safeguard retail forex traders and ensure that French brokers abide by all national and EU laws.

The investors’ funds are fully protected. The Investor Compensation fund is generated with the idea to compensate clients in case of a broker’s insolvency. The leverage in forex trading is limited to control the extra risk that comes with it. Forex brokers in France are meant to maintain segregated bank accounts to keep the client’s fund away from the broker’s fund. The regulatory bodies also imposed a minimum capital requirement for French brokers to meet the need of traders anytime.

Is Forex Trading Legal in France?

Yes, forex trading is legal in France. The French forex market is regulated under the supervision of Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). This regulatory body not only gives permission to brokers to operate in France but also manages and oversees their financial activities. AMF as well as other European regulatory bodies such as CySEC make sure that the broker’s interest always relates to the client’s interest and that the reliability of the forex market stays on top. While forex trading is legal in France, forex traders still need to look for regulated forex brokers and understand the risk associated with forex trading.

Are French Forex Brokers Safe?

The regulated French brokers are strictly bound to the regulations imposed by the EU financial authorities such as AMF and CySEC. They provide many safety measures for their clients to make sure their traders stay satisfied and their funds are protected from any mishap. There is a contribution to an Investor Compensation Fund by the brokers so that if the broker goes bankrupt, the client’s fund stays protected. The amount of funds protected by each broker differs. For instance, eToro Europe Ltd provides compensation of up to 20,000 € to its clients. The French forex brokers also keep the funds of their clients in separate accounts to save them from mixing up with the company’s funds. The negative balance protection is also provided by them to their clients in case they suffer a loss due to high volatility. The loss can never be more than the account balance they have. Brokers like eToro also comply with the regulations set by Anti Money Laundering to avoid any kind of scam and fraud. The minimum deposit requirement is also set by French forex brokers so that traders can easily start trading even with fewer deposits.

What Reddit & Quora Say About French Forex Brokers

A few discussions are going on about French Forex Brokers on Reddit and Quora. Here are some of the comments from Reddit and Quora users.

Reddit

Reddit is a platform where members ask questions and share experiences on any topic. A member on Reddit asked a question to get to know the best broker for beginners in France. His main concern was safety and good design. He went to see Trustpilot reviews before following the recommendation to choose Degiro. He also had a look at Firstrade and TradeStation but has not decided on anything yet.

Quora

On Quora, you can ask questions about any subject and receive responses and opinions from other users. A Quora user questioned about the best forex broker in Europe that demands less deposit to begin trading and is safe to trade with. The answer has Liteforex as the safest option and also provides deposit bonuses as well as the lowest spreads.

Bottom Line

Forex trading is quite popular in France, but it has both advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering. Trading the forex market on a broker only involves three steps.

It is advisable to consider as many factors as a trader can notice when choosing a broker, and these factors include the trading instruments, spread, and leverage provided by the broker. The regulation of the broker should also be confirmed.

Best forex brokers in France provide a large variety of instruments in addition to a variety of trading accounts. They also support the local currency, the Euro, and accept several payment options. They also offer the proprietary and MT4/MT5 platforms. Since French forex brokers are properly regulated by AMF and CySEC, choosing them for investments is safe.