{"id":11814,"date":"2022-04-09T17:14:54","date_gmt":"2022-04-09T15:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience-2025-best-broker-for-swiss-investors\/"},"modified":"2026-11-06T15:56:12","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T14:56:12","slug":"interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Interactive Brokers Review 2026: Best Broker for Swiss Investors?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Since it was founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers has grown from a US pioneer in electronic trading into one of the world&#8217;s leading online brokers.<\/strong> <strong>In this Interactive Brokers Switzerland review, based on our own experience, we show where this powerful, multi-award-winning US provider beats the competition and what you should pay particular attention to.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/themes\/schweizerfinanzblog\/components\/post-info-component\/post-info-component.css?v=4\">\n<div class=\"post-info-component sfb-post-info-autoren\">\n\t\t<span class=\"sfb-post-info-bilder\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sfb-autor-bild\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/stefan_bw_round-autor-240.webp\" alt=\"Stefan Huser\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sfb-autor-bild\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/toni_bw_round-1-autor-240.webp\" alt=\"Antun Brcina\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\">\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"sfb-post-info-text\">\n\t\t<div class=\"von-and-comments sfb-post-info-namen\">\n\t\tBy <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/author\/stefan-huser\/\">Stefan Huser<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/author\/antun-brcina\/\">Antun Brcina<\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-dates\">Updated on <time class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2026-11-06T00:00:00+01:00\">6.11.2026<\/time><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a class=\"sfb-post-info-kommentare\" href=\"#comments\">197 Comments<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/themes\/schweizerfinanzblog\/components\/kurz-bundig-component\/kurz-bundig-component.css?v=2\">\n\n<div  id=\"SEJerUw\" class=\"kurz-bunding mb-3\" style='background-color:#f9f9fa'>\n\t<div class=\"d-flex kurz-bunding-title\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"kurz-bunding-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/lifghtbulb2.png\">\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<p class=''>\n\t\t\tIn a nutshell\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"kurz-bunding-content\">\n\t\t<p>The multi-award-winning US company Interactive Brokers (often called IB or IBKR) was founded back in 1977 and develops powerful trading tools, which it also makes available to other brokers and to end customers.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"><strong>High security:<\/strong> The contracting party for Swiss clients is Interactive Brokers UK. Client assets are held separately, plus deposit insurance of up to $500,000 (SIPC) and up to an additional $2.5 million (FDIC)<\/li>\n<li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"><strong>Low costs:<\/strong> No custody fees, no stamp duty, attractive trading fees from $0.35 (US exchanges) or from CHF 1.50 (Switzerland\/Europe), extremely low currency exchange fees (max. 0.002%, min. $2)<\/li>\n<li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"><strong>Attractive offering:<\/strong> A wide range of ETFs and shares on numerous exchanges worldwide, including SIX, plus trading access via several platforms (desktop, web, app). Lombard loans at comparatively very low interest rates<\/li>\n<li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"><strong>Handy features:<\/strong> Multiple foreign currency accounts, portfolio analyses at the click of a button, fractional trading and automated savings plans<\/li>\n<li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"><strong>Mixed support:<\/strong> Free of charge and available in German if needed, but written enquiries sometimes involve longer waiting times. There is also a demo account and a learning centre with explainer videos in German<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience shows:<\/strong> If low costs and a wide range of trading tools matter to you, IBKR offers a powerful, internationally established solution. The downside: IBKR is more complex than many other providers.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <strong>Convinced?<\/strong> You can open your IBKR account directly via <a class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz14&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fhome.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">our partner link<\/a> \u2013 this supports our blog at no extra cost to you.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<style>\n\t#SEJerUw .kurz-bunding-content li::marker{\n\t\tcolor: #37c392;\n\t}\n\t#SEJerUw .kurz-bunding-call-to-action a{\n\t\tbackground-color: #1bab78;\n\t\tcolor: #FFFFFF;\n\t}\n\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Preliminary_remarks_on_our_Interactive_Brokers_Switzerland_review\">Preliminary remarks on our Interactive Brokers Switzerland review<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Focus_on_ETFs\">Focus on ETFs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Transparency_noticenbsp\">Transparency notice&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#A_broker_steeped_in_tradition_with_a_pioneering_spirit\">A broker steeped in tradition with a pioneering spirit<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Awards_underline_a_strong_market_position\">Awards underline a strong market position<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_business_model_does_IBKR_follow_today\">What business model does IBKR follow today?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_safe_is_IBKR\">How safe is IBKR?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Which_exchanges_can_you_trade_on_with_IBKR\">Which exchanges can you trade on with IBKR?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_comprehensive_is_the_ETF_range\">How comprehensive is the ETF range?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Which_account_types_does_IBKR_offer\">Which account types does IBKR offer?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#8220Cash8221_account_type\">&#8220;Cash&#8221; account type<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_8220Margin8221_and_8220Portfolio_Margin8221_account_types_a_prerequisite_for_Lombard_loans\">The &#8220;Margin&#8221; and &#8220;Portfolio Margin&#8221; account types \u2013 a prerequisite for Lombard loans<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Individual_and_joint_accounts_for_all_account_types\">Individual and joint accounts for all account types<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_fees_are_charged\">What fees are charged?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Custody_fees\">Custody fees<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Brokerage_fees_transaction_costs\">Brokerage fees (transaction costs)<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#8220Tiered8221_pricing_model\">&#8220;Tiered&#8221; pricing model<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#8220Fixed8221_pricing_model\">&#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#ETFs_without_transaction_fees\">ETFs without transaction fees<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Transaction_fees_on_real_trades\">Transaction fees on real trades<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Currency_exchange_fees\">Currency exchange fees<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Tip_no_1_Make_targeted_use_of_foreign_currency_holdings\">Tip no. 1: Make targeted use of foreign currency holdings<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tip_no_2_Use_IBKR_as_a_bureau_de_change\">Tip no. 2: Use IBKR as a bureau de change<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tip_no_3_Make_targeted_use_of_ETFs_in_foreign_currencies\">Tip no. 3: Make targeted use of ETFs in foreign currencies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Stamp_duty_transaction_tax\">Stamp duty (transaction tax)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Other_fees\">Other fees<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_good_are_the_IBKR_trading_platforms\">How good are the IBKR trading platforms?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#PortfolioAnalyst_free_analysis_tool_not_a_trading_platform\">PortfolioAnalyst \u2013 free analysis tool (not a trading platform)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#TWS_and_IBKR_Desktop_for_active_traders\">TWS and IBKR Desktop for active traders<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_Client_Portal\">The Client Portal<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#How_well_diversified_is_your_portfolio\">How well diversified is your portfolio?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_green_is_your_portfolio\">How green is your portfolio?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Smartphone_apps_IBKR_Mobile_and_IBKR_GlobalTrader\">Smartphone apps: IBKR Mobile and IBKR GlobalTrader<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Free_demo_version_for_the_undecided\">Free demo version for the undecided<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Our_use_cases_for_the_Interactive_Brokers_review\">Our use cases for the Interactive Brokers review<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_does_the_account_opening_process_work\">How does the account opening process work?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_do_I_transfer_money\">How do I transfer money?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_do_I_need_to_bear_in_mind_when_transferring_a_securities_account\">What do I need to bear in mind when transferring a securities account?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Switching_to_a_joint_account_requires_a_securities_account_transfer\">Switching to a joint account requires a securities account transfer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_does_buying_an_ETF_work\">How does buying an ETF work?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Fractional_trading_and_recurring_investments_savings_plan_possible\">Fractional trading and recurring investments (savings plan) possible!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_competent_and_efficient_is_the_helpdesk\">How competent and efficient is the helpdesk?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Learning_centre_IBKR_Campus\">Learning centre \/ IBKR Campus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#What_are_the_alternatives_to_Interactive_Brokers\">What are the alternatives to Interactive Brokers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Conclusion_from_our_Interactive_Brokers_Switzerland_experience\">Conclusion from our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Final_verdict\">Final verdict<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Frequently_asked_questions_about_Interactive_Brokers\">Frequently asked questions about Interactive Brokers<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#What_has_your_experience_with_Interactive_Brokers_been_like\">What has your experience with Interactive Brokers been like?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Is_Interactive_Brokers_available_in_Switzerland\">Is Interactive Brokers available in Switzerland?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Is_Interactive_Brokers_reputable_and_safe\">Is Interactive Brokers reputable and safe?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Who_owns_Interactive_Brokers\">Who owns Interactive Brokers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_much_does_Interactive_Brokers_cost\">How much does Interactive Brokers cost?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Does_Interactive_Brokers_charge_stamp_duty\">Does Interactive Brokers charge stamp duty?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Is_there_a_minimum_deposit_or_an_inactivity_fee_at_Interactive_Brokers\">Is there a minimum deposit or an inactivity fee at Interactive Brokers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_expensive_is_currency_exchange_at_Interactive_Brokers\">How expensive is currency exchange at Interactive Brokers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Can_I_set_up_an_ETF_savings_plan_at_Interactive_Brokers\">Can I set up an ETF savings plan at Interactive Brokers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_does_account_opening_work_at_Interactive_Brokers\">How does account opening work at Interactive Brokers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Does_Interactive_Brokers_offer_a_demo_account\">Does Interactive Brokers offer a demo account?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_much_does_a_portfolio_transfer_to_Interactive_Brokers_cost\">How much does a portfolio transfer to Interactive Brokers cost?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Can_I_open_a_joint_account_at_Interactive_Brokers\">Can I open a joint account at Interactive Brokers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_do_I_declare_my_Interactive_Brokers_portfolio_in_my_tax_return\">How do I declare my Interactive Brokers portfolio in my tax return?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Interactive_Brokers_or_DEGIRO_which_broker_is_better\">Interactive Brokers or DEGIRO: which broker is better?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Interactive_Brokers_Saxo_or_Swissquote_what_are_the_differences\">Interactive Brokers, Saxo or Swissquote: what are the differences?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#You_might_also_be_interested_in\">You might also be interested in<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Updates\">Updates<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Disclaimer\">Disclaimer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Preliminary_remarks_on_our_Interactive_Brokers_Switzerland_review\">Preliminary remarks on our Interactive Brokers Switzerland review<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Focus_on_ETFs\">Focus on ETFs<strong style=\"color: revert; font-size: revert; display: inline !important;\"><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p data-start=\"219\" data-end=\"489\">If you know our blog, you know that we follow a <strong data-start=\"264\" data-end=\"340\">passive, low-cost and broadly diversified buy-and-hold strategy<\/strong>. In our view, this is best implemented with <strong>equity ETFs<\/strong>, which is why this review deliberately focuses on this investment vehicle.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"496\" data-end=\"689\">If you (also) want to invest in <strong>individual shares<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong data-start=\"551\" data-end=\"592\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Interactive Brokers<\/span><\/span><\/strong> is very attractive too \u2013 as&nbsp;this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz12d&amp;url=%2Fen%2Ftrading%2Fus-stock-trading-costs-for-uk-and-eu.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">IBKR price comparison table for US shares<\/a> shows.<\/p>\n\n<h3 data-start=\"298\" data-end=\"634\"><span id=\"Transparency_noticenbsp\">Transparency notice&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>To report credibly and realistically from first-hand experience, Toni and Stefan became <strong>clients of <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Interactive Brokers<\/span><\/span><\/strong> while researching this review. Since then, both have held sizeable securities positions with IBKR and take advantage of the favourable exchange rates, among other things.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"1022\">Overall, the renowned US provider&#8217;s offering convinced us, which is why we entered into a <strong>partnership with Interactive Brokers<\/strong>. This article contains referral links. If you use these links, we may receive a small commission. This does not cost you anything extra. Our assessment remains unaffected.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz14&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fhome.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"d-none d-md-block alignnone wp-image-11742\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Banner_Desktop_EN_neu-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2100\" height=\"690\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz14&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fhome.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"d-block d-md-none alignnone wp-image-11751\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Banner_Mobile_DE_neu.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Banner_Mobile_DE_neu.png 992w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Banner_Mobile_DE_neu-768x691.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"A_broker_steeped_in_tradition_with_a_pioneering_spirit\">A broker steeped in tradition with a pioneering spirit<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone who thinks that <strong>Interactive Brokers<\/strong>, <strong>IB<\/strong> or <strong>IBKR <\/strong>(ticker symbol), as this US company is also known, is just another fintech start-up will be proven wrong. Interactive Brokers can look back on a <strong>long, pioneering company history of around 50 years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original organisation was founded back in 1977 as a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Market_maker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">market maker<\/a> under the name TP &amp; Co. and renamed Timber Hill Inc. in 1982. In 1979, it was the first to use fair-value price sheets on an exchange trading floor.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The founder and current Chairman of the Board is <strong>Thomas Peterffy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over his long career, Peterffy has proven himself a doer with a strong pioneering spirit. In 1983, he was the first to use handheld computers for trading. In 1987, he created the first fully automated algorithmic trading system to generate orders automatically and send them to a market.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between 1993 and 1994, the Interactive Brokers Group and its subsidiary Interactive Brokers LLC were founded to control its electronic brokerage business and keep it separate from Timber Hill, which carries out market making.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2014, Interactive Brokers was the first online broker to offer direct access to <a href=\"https:\/\/exchange.iex.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IEX<\/a>, a private forum for trading securities.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currently, around 70% of IBKR&#8217;s shares are held by employees and affiliated companies; founder Peterffy is the largest shareholder.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;d like to learn even more about the history of Interactive Brokers, you&#8217;ll find detailed information on the IBKR website under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D17406%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">&#8220;About us&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Awards_underline_a_strong_market_position\">Awards underline a strong market position<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The numerous awards from independent sources are further evidence of how successfully IBKR has positioned itself in the market over the years.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-3272 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D40118\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"781\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Auszeichnungen_2025.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7038\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.5600812542319913;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Auszeichnungen_2025.png 2000w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Auszeichnungen_2025-768x300.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Auszeichnungen_2025-1536x600.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Best broker here, best broker there: a small selection of the many awards Interactive Brokers shows off on its website.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"What_business_model_does_IBKR_follow_today\">What business model does IBKR follow today?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IBKR develops powerful trading tools and offers them to other brokers and to end customers.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two major sources of revenue for IBKR are therefore licence fees from third-party brokers and trading commissions from retail clients, including interest income from securities-backed loans.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we will see impressively later on, IBKR offers its retail clients several account types, different trading platforms and multi-layered conditions, which makes IBKR&#8217;s ambition clear: <strong>It is not only supposed professionals and heavy traders who are in focus \u2013 in principle, all investors are meant to be addressed, starting with stock market newcomers.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"How_safe_is_IBKR\">How safe is IBKR?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interactive Brokers is a <strong>regulated broker-dealer<\/strong> that has proven to be very <strong>crisis-resistant<\/strong> over its company history of around 50 years.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accordingly, IBKR positions itself as a very safe broker and emphasises its considerable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fgeneral%2Ffinancial-strength.php%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">financial strength<\/a>. IBKR&#8217;s concrete, current financial situation can be seen in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/de\/index.php?f=38210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">audited annual reports<\/a>, which IBKR transparently publishes.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But how am I protected if IBKR ever does get into serious financial difficulty? In the unlikely worst-case scenario of &#8220;bankruptcy&#8221;, the following <strong>four security aspects<\/strong> are likely to be particularly relevant for you as a <strong>Swiss<\/strong> <strong>investor<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Separate custody of client assets and reserves:<\/strong> This strict separation of company capital and client assets is required by law, as IBKR is not a bank. Every day, IBKR calculates the total cash and securities owed to each client and holds these funds separately for the exclusive benefit of the client. In addition, reserves are held as a buffer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Account protection #1:<\/strong> Cash and shares, which include equity ETFs, are generally covered by the <strong>investor protection<\/strong> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sipc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC)<\/a>. This provides maximum coverage of <strong>$500,000<\/strong>, of which up to $250,000 for cash. Assets in other currencies are protected at their USD equivalent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Account protection #2:<\/strong> Cash exceeding $250,000 is protected under the &#8220;Insured Bank Deposit Sweep Program&#8221; by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fdic.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FDIC<\/a> insurance of up to <strong>$2.5 million<\/strong>, which corresponds to total coverage of $2.75 million. Every day, IBKR transfers each participating client&#8217;s free balances to one or more banks, up to $246,500 per bank, so that interest accrues and the FDIC protection limit is not exceeded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Securities lending only optional:<\/strong> IBKR does not lend out your securities if you pay for them with your own cash. This rule is likely to appeal to risk-averse people in particular. Two exceptions: first, with an investment amount of $50,000 or more, securities can <strong>optionally<\/strong> be lent out. You then receive 50% of the resulting income. Second, securities lending is possible when using borrowed money (applies to the &#8220;Margin&#8221; and &#8220;Portfolio Margin&#8221; account types). You can find more information on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D20524%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">IBKR securities lending<\/a> here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And for anyone who is sceptical of US providers because of the legal system there, we can give the all-clear: the contracting party for clients from Switzerland is <strong>Interactive Brokers UK<\/strong>, which means that, ultimately, the <strong>place of jurisdiction would be London<\/strong>. This is stated in the &#8220;Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited and Interactive Brokers LLC Client Agreement&#8221; (Chapter A17, Section 1.1).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It shouldn&#8217;t come to that, though. When we asked, IBKR assured us that any disputes should in principle first be resolved <strong>out of court and by mutual agreement<\/strong>. For this purpose, a so-called <strong>complaint ticket<\/strong> is available, which can be used to submit complaints and similar concerns. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Which_exchanges_can_you_trade_on_with_IBKR\">Which exchanges can you trade on with IBKR?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IBKR offers a comprehensive range with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D6356%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">all major international exchanges<\/a> \u2013 including the Swiss SIX. Note that IBKR lists SIX under the abbreviation &#8220;EBS&#8221; (Elektronische B\u00f6rse Schweiz).<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"How_comprehensive_is_the_ETF_range\">How comprehensive is the ETF range?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you decide on Interactive Brokers, you should check whether the ETFs you want are actually available. Handy: even as a non-client, you can get an overview of IBKR&#8217;s ETF range via the following link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D6356%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">ETF range by exchange (click the red button &#8220;Search by products and exchanges&#8221;)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1295\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_ETFs_an_CH_Boerse_2026-1-scaled.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_ETFs_an_CH_Boerse_2026-1-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_ETFs_an_CH_Boerse_2026-1-768x388.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_ETFs_an_CH_Boerse_2026-1-1536x777.png 1536w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_ETFs_an_CH_Boerse_2026-1-2048x1036.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Interactive Brokers&#8217; product range is impressive when it comes to the Swiss exchange too: more than 3,000 securities, including 2,439 ETFs, are available (as at 3 January 2026).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What&#8217;s pleasing is not only the comprehensive ETF range, which spans numerous exchanges worldwide, but also that IBKR now offers <strong>sensible filter and sorting options<\/strong> as well as a <strong>direct search for individual securities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you still struggle to find the ETF or share you want, simply let us know the <strong>ISIN or ticker\/symbol<\/strong> and \u2013 if relevant \u2013 the <strong>exchange<\/strong> in a comment below. As IBKR clients, we have direct access and may get there faster.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you already have an IBKR account, you can also use the so-called <strong>Market Scanner<\/strong> for ETF research. For ETFs, however, the filter and sorting options are currently limited to products listed on the <strong>US exchange Nasdaq<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Which_account_types_does_IBKR_offer\">Which account types does IBKR offer?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At IBKR, you can choose between the following three <strong>account types<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Margin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Portfolio Margin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below, we briefly look at their most important features and differences.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"8220Cash8221_account_type\">&#8220;Cash&#8221; account type<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most Swiss investors, the &#8220;Cash&#8221; account type is likely to be the first choice. Unlike the other two account types, <strong>securities lending is optional<\/strong> here, and there is <strong>no minimum investment<\/strong> and <strong>no lending<\/strong>. We will therefore focus on this account type in this Interactive Brokers Switzerland review.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"The_8220Margin8221_and_8220Portfolio_Margin8221_account_types_a_prerequisite_for_Lombard_loans\">The &#8220;Margin&#8221; and &#8220;Portfolio Margin&#8221; account types \u2013 a prerequisite for Lombard loans<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These two account types appeal to risk-oriented investors with strong nerves who want to (partially) finance their investments with <strong>securities-backed loans or Lombard loans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This gives them <strong>leverage<\/strong> (the &#8220;leverage effect&#8221;). In other words, if prices rise, hefty profits beckon. In the opposite case, losses accumulate.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Interactive Brokers&#8217; conditions for Lombard loans are among the most attractive on the market compared with the competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-27\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-27\" aria-describedby=\"tablepress-27-description\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Provider<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">CHF<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">EUR<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">USD<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">DEGIRO<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2,5%* &#8211; 4%<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">4,75%* &#8211; 6,25%<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">5,25%* &#8211; 6,9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Interactive Brokers<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">1,5%**<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">3,7%**<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">5,13%**<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Saxo Bank<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2%***<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">3,91%***<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">5,7%***<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Swissquote<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3%<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">5,03%<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">6,63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<span id=\"tablepress-27-description\" class=\"tablepress-table-description tablepress-table-description-id-27\">Different margin conditions depending on currency and provider as of 24 July 2026. *Fixed advance, i.e. interest is charged on the entire amount allocated, regardless of how much is actually used. **Up to CHF\/EUR 90,000 or USD 100,000, then gradually cheaper. ***For the Classic account model; lower interest rates for the Platinum and VIP account models.<\/span>\n<!-- #tablepress-27 from cache -->\n<p data-start=\"134\" data-end=\"237\">You can find the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D46996%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">always up-to-date interest rates for Lombard loans<\/a> on the Interactive Brokers website.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"244\" data-end=\"472\">If you want to use leverage with securities such as ETFs, we recommend downloading the separate IBKR software <strong data-start=\"336\" data-end=\"364\">Trader Workstation (TWS)<\/strong>. Among other things, it shows information on the initial margin and maintenance margin.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"479\" data-end=\"846\">With &#8220;bricks and mortar&#8221; \u2013 whether your own home or an investment property \u2013 borrowing is the norm and widely accepted in society. With securities, on the other hand, we tend to see a sceptical to dismissive attitude in the media. You can find out how we see it in the article <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/lombard-loan-when-buying-etfs-a-booster-for-your-return-on-equity-or-playing-with-fire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5022\">Lombard loan for buying ETFs: a booster for your return on equity or playing with fire?<\/a><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Individual_and_joint_accounts_for_all_account_types\">Individual and joint accounts for all account types<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>All three account types mentioned are open to you both as an individual client and as a joint account, i.e. with two account holders. <\/strong>The latter is available, among other options, as the &#8220;Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship&#8221; variant (joint owners with mutual rights of inheritance with regard to account ownership) and can be an interesting option for better <strong>financial security in the event of the death of one account holder<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, switching from one account type to another, including transferring cash and securities, is also easy and free of charge.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"What_fees_are_charged\">What fees are charged?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High fees, which unfortunately are still all too common, especially with Swiss brokers, eat into your returns year after year. Innovative foreign providers such as Interactive Brokers show that it can be done much more cheaply.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, we examined the following cost items typical for Swiss investors for the <strong>IBKR &#8220;Cash&#8221; account type<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Custody fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brokerage fees (transaction costs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Currency exchange fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stamp duty (transaction tax)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other fees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Custody_fees\">Custody fees<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike most Swiss brokers, Interactive Brokers Switzerland charges <strong>no custody fees<\/strong>, regardless of how many transactions you make and how much you deposit. Good news for you: saving these <strong>ongoing costs<\/strong> ultimately benefits your returns.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Brokerage_fees_transaction_costs\">Brokerage fees (transaction costs)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transaction-related brokerage fees essentially consist of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fpricing%2Fcommissions-home.php%3Fre%3Dapac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">commissions<\/a> paid to IBKR plus any additional third-party costs such as exchange, regulatory and clearing fees. IBKR offers <strong>three different pricing models for ETFs<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tiered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fixed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free ETFs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apart from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D38027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">free ETFs<\/a>, which carry no brokerage fees, you can freely choose between the &#8220;Tiered&#8221; and &#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing models for every trade. On the one hand, this gives you <strong>flexibility; <\/strong>on the other hand, it can also cause some <strong>uncertainty<\/strong> about which pricing model is right for a particular trade. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Important: in our experience, and as IBKR confirmed when we asked, a changed pricing model only takes effect on the following business day. This means that if you&#8217;re planning a trade with a different pricing model tomorrow, you should change the currently active one in the settings today.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As you can see, IBKR&#8217;s transaction fees take some explaining, which is why we take a closer look at the &#8220;Tiered&#8221; and &#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing models in the next two chapters. But here&#8217;s the gist up front: <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The main difference between the &#8220;Tiered&#8221; and &#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing models is that the former only covers the commissions, while the latter includes the entire brokerage fee, i.e. commissions and third-party costs, which gives you more transparency about the costs incurred.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"8220Tiered8221_pricing_model\">&#8220;Tiered&#8221; pricing model<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this pricing model, fees fall in percentage terms as trading volume increases \u2013 at least in theory. The first discount tier for trading on a Swiss exchange is only reached from a monthly trading value of EUR 50 million (!), which is unlikely to be an option for most private investors (even from wealthy Switzerland). Prices are much more strongly influenced by the <strong>trading venue<\/strong> and the <strong>trading currency<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In concrete terms, for trading <strong>ETFs and shares on the Swiss exchange SIX<\/strong>, this means that the relevant commission is <strong>0.05% of the trade value<\/strong> \u2013 at least CHF 1.50, EUR 1.25 or USD 1.70 and at most (cost cap) CHF 49, EUR 29 or USD 39.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Interactive Brokers<\/strong> provides a complete overview of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fpricing%2Fcommissions-stocks-europe.php%3Fre%3Deurope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">fees on European exchanges<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3240\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"917\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung02_Preismodell_gestaffelt.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3240\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Tiered&#8221; pricing model for trading ETFs and shares on the Swiss exchange SIX in the trading currencies EUR, CHF and USD. (Source: Interactive Brokers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Six price examples<\/strong> for ETF trading on the Swiss exchange SIX in different trading currencies:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>CHF 1.50 fee for a trade value of up to CHF 3,000 (minimum fee)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CHF 5.00 fee for a trade value of CHF 10,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EUR 1.25 fee for a trade value of up to EUR 2,500 (minimum fee)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EUR 5.00 fee for a trade value of EUR 10,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USD 1.70 fee for a trade value of up to USD 3,400 (minimum fee)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USD 5.00 fee for a trade value of USD 10,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that with the <strong>&#8220;<\/strong>Tiered&#8221; pricing model, <strong>additional third-party costs<\/strong> such as exchange, regulatory and clearing fees may apply. If an exchange offers discounts, IBKR passes them on to the client in full or in part. In <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Transaktionsgebuehren_bei_realen_Trades\">this chapter<\/a>, you&#8217;ll find the total transaction costs or brokerage fees, i.e. commissions including third-party costs, based on various real trades. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This pricing model is particularly suitable for investors who want to trade ETFs and shares <strong>in the three- and four-figure range<\/strong> and are not put off by a certain lack of transparency regarding third-party costs. For larger transaction amounts on Swiss exchanges, you&#8217;re usually better off with the &#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model, which we cover in the next chapter.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trading <strong>ETFs and shares on US exchanges<\/strong> is particularly attractive in terms of price at Interactive Brokers. Depending on the number of shares or ETF units, the <strong>minimum fee is just USD 0.35 per trade<\/strong>. You can find more information in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fpricing%2Fcommissions-stocks.php%3Fre%3Damer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">IBKR overview of US exchanges<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2412\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Gestaffelt.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Gestaffelt.png 2412w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Gestaffelt-768x199.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Gestaffelt-1536x397.png 1536w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Gestaffelt-2048x530.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2412px) 100vw, 2412px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">For example, if you buy 100 shares or ETF units on a US exchange, the IBKR commission under the &#8220;Tiered&#8221; pricing model is just USD 0.35 (100 x USD 0.0035). (Source: Interactive Brokers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz12d&amp;url=%2Fen%2Ftrading%2Fus-stock-trading-costs-for-uk-and-eu.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">comparison with competitors<\/a> shows how well IBKR performs on US share trades compared with other brokers.<\/p>\n\n<p>You can find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fpricing%2Fcommissions-home.php%3Fre%3Dapac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\">more information on the &#8220;Tiered&#8221; pricing model<\/a> at Interactive Brokers.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"8220Fixed8221_pricing_model\">&#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fpricing%2Fcommissions-home.php%3Fre%3Dapac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model<\/a> is generally suitable for investors who like things a little <strong>simpler <\/strong>and <strong>more transparent<\/strong>. In addition to the IBKR commission, these fees <strong>also include third-party costs such as exchange, regulatory and clearing fees.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, <strong>trades should be at least in the four-figure range<\/strong>, as otherwise the minimum fee under this pricing model weighs too heavily. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Three price examples <\/strong>for ETF and share trading on various <strong>European exchanges<\/strong>, including in Switzerland, Germany, France and the UK, in different trading currencies:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>CHF 5.00 fee for a trade value of up to CHF 10,000 (minimum fee)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EUR 3.00 fee for a trade value of up to EUR 6,000 (minimum fee)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USD 4.00 fee for a trade value of up to USD 8,000 (minimum fee)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For larger amounts, a flat fee of <strong>0.05%<\/strong> applies. This means that for a trade worth <strong>CHF\/EUR\/USD 20,000<\/strong>, transaction fees of <strong>CHF 10<\/strong>, or 0.05% of the trade value, are charged. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the following fee schedule, you&#8217;ll find three more calculation examples from IBKR. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2478\" height=\"1646\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_Europaeische_Boersen_fixes_Modell.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_Europaeische_Boersen_fixes_Modell.png 2478w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_Europaeische_Boersen_fixes_Modell-768x510.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_Europaeische_Boersen_fixes_Modell-1536x1020.png 1536w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_Europaeische_Boersen_fixes_Modell-2048x1360.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2478px) 100vw, 2478px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model for trading ETFs and shares in different currencies and on various European exchanges, with three calculation examples. (Source: Interactive Brokers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Takeaway:<\/strong> On the European exchanges listed above, a constant, <strong>fixed fee amount<\/strong> \u2013 as the name of the &#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model suggests \u2013 therefore only exists <strong>up to a limited amount<\/strong>, which also varies depending on the trading currency. For amounts <strong>above this limit<\/strong>, a <strong>flat 0.05%<\/strong> of the trade value is charged \u2013 <strong>with no cost cap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It gets <strong>much cheaper<\/strong> with this pricing model too if you trade your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fpricing%2Fcommissions-stocks.php%3Fre%3Damer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">ETFs and shares on a US exchange <\/a>, as the following fee extract impressively shows.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2424\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Festpreis.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Festpreis.png 2424w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Festpreis-768x171.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Festpreis-1536x342.png 1536w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Preise_US_Festpreis-2048x456.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2424px) 100vw, 2424px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model for trading ETFs and shares on US exchanges, with three calculation examples. The pricing for shares generally also applies to ETFs. (Source: Interactive Brokers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fpricing%2Fcommissions-home.php%3Fre%3Dapac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">more information on the &#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model<\/a> on the Interactive Brokers website.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"ETFs_without_transaction_fees\">ETFs without transaction fees<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interactive Brokers offers quite a large selection of free ETFs. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D38027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">the products listed at IBKR<\/a> are likely to be largely unknown to many investors in Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As IBKR&#8217;s transaction fees are very low anyway and hardly make a difference, we recommend that you make <strong>no compromises<\/strong> when choosing a product. You should only opt for a free ETF from IBKR if the product fully convinces you.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Transaktionsgebuehren_bei_realen_Trades\"><span id=\"Transaction_fees_on_real_trades\">Transaction fees on real trades<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, it&#8217;s exciting to see what fees are charged on real transactions. Something that takes a bit of getting used to at IBKR is that, unlike Swissquote or DEGIRO, for example, <strong>no automatically generated transaction confirmation<\/strong> with price and fee details is sent to you immediately after the trade (&#8220;push principle&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, at IBKR you can manually generate various account statements for individual days or a period of your choice (&#8220;pull principle&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also note that, in our experience, the fees charged only appear on the report <strong>on the following day<\/strong>. The following Interactive Brokers account statements illustrate the fee situation on Swiss and US exchanges based on our real trades \u2013 including three ETFs and a sale of Tesla shares followed by a currency exchange. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3241\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1954\" height=\"826\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Gebuehren_Reale_Trades.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Gebuehren_Reale_Trades.png 1954w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Gebuehren_Reale_Trades-768x325.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Gebuehren_Reale_Trades-1536x649.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1954px) 100vw, 1954px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">IBKR transaction overview showing the total fees for different ETF trades. The &#8220;Tiered&#8221; pricing model was chosen for most of them. Only for the first purchase of 9 units of the &#8220;VWRL&#8221; ETF were fees of CHF 5.00 charged under the &#8220;Fixed&#8221; pricing model (not suitable for amounts of this size); the ETFs &#8220;ESREU&#8221; and &#8220;VWRL&#8221; were traded on the Swiss exchange SIX, &#8220;VNQI&#8221; on the US exchange Nasdaq with unbeatable fees of just USD 0.35 each, once with fractions (&#8220;fractional trading&#8221;).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1928\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Verkauf_TSLA_Aktien_Waehrungswechsel.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Verkauf_TSLA_Aktien_Waehrungswechsel.png 1928w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Verkauf_TSLA_Aktien_Waehrungswechsel-768x214.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Verkauf_TSLA_Aktien_Waehrungswechsel-1536x427.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1928px) 100vw, 1928px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Interactive Brokers with super-low fees on US trades: on 16 December 2024, selling 32 Tesla shares (USD 14,656) cost just USD 1.41 (CHF 1.27) in commissions. The subsequent currency exchange of USD 14,600 into CHF was also minimal, at the minimum fee of USD 2 (CHF 1.79).   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Waehrungswechselgebuehren\"><span id=\"Currency_exchange_fees\">Currency exchange fees<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currency exchange fees are charged if, for example, you pay for an ETF with euro as its trading currency in CHF. According to IBKR, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D16588\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">the IBKR currency exchange fee<\/a> is between <strong>0.08 and 0.20 basis points<\/strong> (bps), or 0.0008 to 0.002 per cent (!), which in our view is a <strong>very fair deal<\/strong>. IBKR stresses that this includes no hidden spreads or mark-ups. Note, however, that IBKR charges a <strong>minimum exchange fee of USD 2 per transaction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, we&#8217;ve put together <strong>three tips<\/strong> <strong>on currency exchange<\/strong> for you: <\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Tip_no_1_Make_targeted_use_of_foreign_currency_holdings\">Tip no. 1: Make targeted use of foreign currency holdings<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you already hold foreign currency in your Swiss bank account and want to invest in assets traded in a foreign currency, you can avoid IBKR&#8217;s currency exchange fees altogether. At IBKR, you can hold more than <strong>100 foreign currency accounts<\/strong>. We recommend this without reservation for the euro, as EUR transfers from your Swiss bank to IBKR via the <a href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Europ%C3%A4ischer_Zahlungsraum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Single Euro Payments Area SEPA<\/a> are <strong>free of charge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Tip_no_2_Use_IBKR_as_a_bureau_de_change\">Tip no. 2: Use IBKR as a bureau de change<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stefan has made several such currency exchanges at IBKR, including CHF 1,500 (EUR 1,515) on 6 December 2022 and CHF 4,100 (EUR 4,249.80) on 29 November 2023. Each time, he transferred the EUR amounts free of charge via SEPA transfer to the EUR account at his Swiss main bank. Two takeaways:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In both cases, the currency exchange at IBKR was <strong>cheaper than at Wise<\/strong> (formerly TransferWise). With Wise, only EUR 1,511.06, i.e. around EUR 4 less, or EUR 4,230, i.e. around EUR 20 less, would have been transferred.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It takes <strong>a little patience<\/strong>: at IBKR, the new EUR amount is shown immediately under cash after the currency exchange. However, when transferring the EUR back to the Swiss main bank, only a fraction of the total amount is available at first. Only after three business days did IBKR allow a transfer of the full amount. It was then credited to the EUR account at the Swiss main bank on the same day each time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Tip_no_3_Make_targeted_use_of_ETFs_in_foreign_currencies\">Tip no. 3: Make targeted use of ETFs in foreign currencies<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to IBKR&#8217;s low currency exchange fees, the cost of exchanging currency when trading hardly matters, e.g. if you exchange CHF into USD to buy an ETF traded in USD.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But watch out: we definitely cannot recommend USD transfers from your Swiss main bank to IBKR. According to our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, hefty fees are charged before the money arrives at IBKR \u2013 fees that are not charged by IBKR and whose breakdown is not transparent (see our test transfer in <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Wie_ueberweise_ich_Geld\">this chapter<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Stamp_duty_transaction_tax\">Stamp duty (transaction tax)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good news for your returns: <strong>no stamp duty<\/strong> is charged on transactions via Interactive Brokers.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Swiss brokers and banks, on the other hand, the federal government levies stamp duty on every transaction. This amounts to 0.075% for domestic securities (Swiss ISIN) and 0.15% for foreign securities (foreign ISIN). On a trade worth CHF 20,000, you therefore save CHF 15 or CHF 30 in stamp duty at IBKR.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find out more about ETF taxation in our article <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/etf-taxes-switzerland-with-5-tax-saving-tips\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ETF taxes in Switzerland: optimise your portfolio with these 5 tax-saving tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Other_fees\">Other fees<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can view a detailed and continuously updated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D15561\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">overview of Interactive Brokers&#8217; other fees<\/a> online.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But please don&#8217;t be alarmed: a real jungle of fees awaits you, which we too had to fight our way through \u2013 sometimes with help from IBKR support.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our takeaway on &#8220;Other fees&#8221;:<\/strong> Most of the items listed there will not be relevant to you. In other words: IBKR&#8217;s fees are extremely attractive for Swiss investors and are essentially limited to the cost items described above.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, there are also <strong>product costs for the ETF<\/strong>, the so-called <strong>total expense ratio (TER)<\/strong>. However, this is charged by the ETF provider, is product-specific and therefore independent of your choice of broker. That&#8217;s why we have not taken the TER into account in this Interactive Brokers Switzerland review.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"How_good_are_the_IBKR_trading_platforms\">How good are the IBKR trading platforms?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we&#8217;ve already explained, Interactive Brokers offers several account types and several pricing models. But that&#8217;s not all: you&#8217;re also spoilt for choice when it comes to trading platforms. In total, <strong>seven different solutions<\/strong> are available to you \u2013 from simple web access to professional trading software.<\/p>\n\n<p>The following overview shows which investment products can be traded on which solution.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3242\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2406\" height=\"1062\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Plattformvergleich.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Plattformvergleich.png 2406w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Plattformvergleich-768x339.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Plattformvergleich-1536x678.png 1536w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Plattformvergleich-2048x904.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2406px) 100vw, 2406px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spoilt for choice when picking the right platform: Interactive Brokers offers its private investors no fewer than seven options. The table shows which investment products can be traded on which IBKR platform. (Source: Interactive Brokers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"PortfolioAnalyst_free_analysis_tool_not_a_trading_platform\">PortfolioAnalyst \u2013 free analysis tool (not a trading platform)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PortfolioAnalyst<\/strong> is deliberately <strong>not a trading platform<\/strong> and is therefore not listed in the overview above. Instead of executing trades, the tool is used for <strong>comprehensive portfolio analysis<\/strong> \u2013 and is <strong>freely accessible, even for non-clients<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"579\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_PortfolioAnalyst.png\" alt=\"IBKR PortfolioAnalyst\" class=\"wp-image-14730\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_PortfolioAnalyst.png 1008w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_PortfolioAnalyst-768x441.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1008px) 100vw, 1008px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">PortfolioAnalyst is a separate, free analysis tool and not a trading platform. It is also freely accessible to non-clients. (Source: Interactive Brokers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p>PortfolioAnalyst is particularly helpful for:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>consolidated reports across several securities accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>analyses by asset class, region and degree of diversification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>performance, risk and cost overviews at the click of a button<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This makes PortfolioAnalyst an ideal complement to the IBKR platforms without competing with them.<\/p>\n\n<p>You can find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fportfolioanalyst%2Foverview.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">more information on PortfolioAnalyst<\/a> on the Interactive Brokers website.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"TWS_and_IBKR_Desktop_for_active_traders\">TWS and IBKR Desktop for active traders<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With its flagship <strong>Trader Workstation (TWS) <\/strong>, Interactive Brokers targets <strong>active traders<\/strong>. This platform lets you not only trade shares, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds on more than 150 markets worldwide, but also carry out the corresponding technical analyses.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With <strong>IBKR Desktop<\/strong>, a slimmed-down, likewise app-based version of the Trader Workstation (TWS) is now also available.<\/p>\n\n<p>You can find more information on the two trader platforms <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D15899%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TWS<\/a>&nbsp;and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz12g&amp;url=%2Fde%2Ftrading%2Fibkr-desktop.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">IBKR Desktop<\/a> on the Interactive Brokers website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_Plattform_IBKR_Desktop-1080x620.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7097\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The newest platform, &#8220;IBKR Desktop&#8221;, is app-based, suits a large screen and, according to IBKR, combines the best of proven and new technologies with its completely new UI framework. (Source: Interactive Brokers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buy-and-hold investors who mainly invest in passive, broadly diversified ETFs are, of course, not interested in speculative day trading. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s why we want to <strong>limit our Interactive Brokers Switzerland review to the following three proven standard platforms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Client Portal<\/strong> (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#client-portal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this chapter<\/a>) for web-based use on a desktop and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IBKR Mobile<\/strong> (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#IBKR_Mobile_App\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Apps_fuers_Smartphone_IBKR_Mobile_und_IBKR_GlobalTrader\">this chapter<\/a>) or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IBKR GlobalTrader<\/strong> (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Apps_fuers_Smartphone_IBKR_Mobile_und_IBKR_GlobalTrader\">this chapter<\/a>) as app-based solutions on the go.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"client-portal\"><span id=\"The_Client_Portal\">The Client Portal<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D31260%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Client Portal<\/a> is the central platform where you can carry out the following key activities:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Deposits and withdrawals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Checking price quotes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Securities trading (e.g. buying and selling ETFs and shares)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reviewing your portfolio in terms of liquidity and performance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retrieving various reports (so-called portfolio snapshots)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Customer service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike other IBKR platforms, the Client Portal is <strong>web-based<\/strong>, so <strong>no download<\/strong> is required. By the way, the texts on the portal can be displayed in <strong>different languages<\/strong>, including German, with one click. According to IBKR, the Client Portal is aimed at beginners, advanced users and pros alike. This makes it <strong>the IBKR platform with the broadest target audience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Useful:<\/strong> When you first log in and in the days that follow, a <strong>getting-started guide<\/strong> appears on the home page, explaining IBKR&#8217;s most important functions and settings step by step.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3243\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1399\" height=\"948\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung05_Startseite_Einstiegsleitfaden.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3243\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Home page with a useful getting-started guide to key functions and settings on the Interactive Brokers Client Portal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a few days, the getting-started guide disappears and information about your own portfolio takes centre stage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3259\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"899\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung06_Startseite_Wertentwicklung-1.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3259\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Home page showing the value development of your own portfolio on the Interactive Brokers Client Portal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a click on &#8220;Performance&#8221;, you switch from the liquidity curve (see image above) to the performance curve (see image below).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Phases of gains (green) and losses (red) during the selected period are clearly highlighted.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We find it equally helpful that the performance of your own portfolio can be compared with a <strong>benchmark<\/strong>. We chose the broad-market &#8220;Vanguard Total World Stock Index&#8221;, whose performance is shown by the blue curve.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3258\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1408\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung07_Startseite_Performance-1.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3258\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Home page showing the portfolio&#8217;s performance and a benchmark on the Interactive Brokers Client Portal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But this is just a foretaste. The analysis options offered by the IBKR Client Portal go much further.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"How_well_diversified_is_your_portfolio\">How well diversified is your portfolio?<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, under &#8220;Performance &amp; Reports&#8221;, you can analyse the <strong>concentration<\/strong> <strong>of your portfolio<\/strong>. Your ETF portfolio is &#8220;broken down&#8221; into all its individual shares, each with its absolute value and percentage weighting. Each individual position can also be expanded to show the link to the corresponding ETFs (see the last two rows in the image below).<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3246\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1381\" height=\"904\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung08_Konzentrationsbericht.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3246\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On the Interactive Brokers Client Portal, you can even check diversification at the level of individual shares in your portfolio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you scroll further down, the portfolio is broken down in the classic way by asset class, sector, region, country and financial instrument.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3247\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"655\" height=\"582\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung09_Assetklasse_Allokation.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3247\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Asset class allocation at a glance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"How_green_is_your_portfolio\">How green is your portfolio?<\/span><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we showed in our article <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/green-stocks-40-etfs-compared\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green shares: 40 ETFs compared<\/a>, there are now numerous attractive ETFs aimed at the fast-growing group of sustainability-minded investors.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With its &#8220;ESG&#8221; feature, Interactive Brokers lets this group of investors analyse their portfolio with one click according to the ESG focus areas &#8220;Environmental&#8221;, &#8220;Social&#8221; and &#8220;Governance&#8221; \u2013 using no fewer than ten criteria.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3269\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1341\" height=\"719\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung10_ESG-Analyse.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3269\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ESG analyses of your own portfolio are possible with one click on the IBKR Client Portal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the standard analyses in the Client Portal aren&#8217;t enough for you, the separate PortfolioAnalyst analysis tool offers additional options. <\/p>\n\n<p>You can find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Fportfolioanalyst%2Foverview.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more information on the free PortfolioAnalyst<\/a> on the Interactive Brokers website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Apps_fuers_Smartphone_IBKR_Mobile_und_IBKR_GlobalTrader\"><span id=\"Smartphone_apps_IBKR_Mobile_and_IBKR_GlobalTrader\">Smartphone apps: IBKR Mobile and IBKR GlobalTrader<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a useful complement to the Client Portal, Interactive Brokers offers not one but two app-based platforms for your pocket with <strong>IBKR Mobile<\/strong> and <strong>IBKR GlobalTrader<\/strong> (Apple and Android).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While IBKR Mobile offers numerous functions and the entire IBKR product range, the newer IBKR GlobalTrader app focuses on the most important functions (worldwide trading, including trading fractions of shares and ETFs, known as fractional trading) and the three product groups shares, investment funds and options. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2540\" height=\"2500\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_IBKRmobile_vs_IBKRGlobalTrader.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_IBKRmobile_vs_IBKRGlobalTrader.png 2540w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_IBKRmobile_vs_IBKRGlobalTrader-64x64.png 64w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_IBKRmobile_vs_IBKRGlobalTrader-768x756.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_IBKRmobile_vs_IBKRGlobalTrader-1536x1512.png 1536w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IBKR_IBKRmobile_vs_IBKRGlobalTrader-2048x2016.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2540px) 100vw, 2540px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two smartphone apps to choose from: IBKR Mobile (left) with comprehensive information and advanced functions, and IBKR GlobalTrader (right), with a clear layout and a focus on the essentials. (Own screenshots)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p>You can find more information on the two handy mobile apps <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D6354%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IBKR Mobile (comprehensive)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz15&amp;url=%2Fde%2Ftrading%2Fglobaltrader%2Foverview.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">IBKR GlobalTrader (clear and simple)<\/a> on the Interactive Brokers website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Free_demo_version_for_the_undecided\">Free demo version for the undecided<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IBKR offers various <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Ftrading%2Ffree-trial.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">demo versions<\/a> that you can test free of charge and without obligation, including for the platforms presented above: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D31260%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Client Portal<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D6354%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IBKR Mobile<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz15&amp;url=%2Fde%2Ftrading%2Fglobaltrader%2Foverview.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">IBKR GlobalTrader<\/a>. In the tool, the demo version is also called &#8220;Paper&#8221; (at login) or &#8220;paper trading account&#8221; (in the settings).<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Our_use_cases_for_the_Interactive_Brokers_review\">Our use cases for the Interactive Brokers review<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make our statements as realistic as possible, we opened our own accounts at IBKR, invested our own money and went through the following use cases.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How does the account opening process work? (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Wie_laeuft_der_Kontoeroeffnungsprozess_ab\">this chapter<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I transfer money? (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Wie_ueberweise_ich_Geld\">this chapter<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What do I need to bear in mind when transferring a securities account? (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Was_ist_beim_Depotuebertrag_zu_beachten\">this chapter<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How does buying an ETF work? (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Wie_funktioniert_der_ETF-Kauf\">this chapter<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How competent and efficient is the helpdesk? (see <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Wie_kompetent_und_effizient_ist_der_Helpdesk\">this chapter<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In each case, we first describe how it works. We then assess the use case.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Wie_laeuft_der_Kontoeroeffnungsprozess_ab\"><span id=\"How_does_the_account_opening_process_work\">How does the account opening process work?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2FUniversal%2FApplication%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Opening an account is free<\/a>, takes place online without paperwork, can be done entirely in German and takes about <strong>20 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, you choose a username and a password.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3248\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1310\" height=\"782\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung10_Anmeldemaske.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3248\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">IBKR sign-up screen with email address, username and password.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interactive Brokers needs the following information from every new account holder:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personal information and contact details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Information on income and tax domicile<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Information on trading experience and investment objectives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bank account details<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This applies to <strong>individual clients<\/strong>. If you opt for a <strong>joint account<\/strong>, some basic information about the authorised second person is also required. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the way, <strong>no umlauts<\/strong> may be used in the free-text fields (i.e. &#8220;Zuerich&#8221; instead of &#8220;Z\u00fcrich&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get through the sign-up procedure efficiently, you should have your passport or driving licence to hand (an identity card is not accepted). <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should also give some thought to your <strong>sources of wealth<\/strong> in advance, as IBKR expects its clients to state where their existing assets come from.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3249\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1227\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung11_Anmeldung_Vermoegensquellen.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3249\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">IBKR wants to know where your existing assets come from.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most Swiss investors, the main source of existing wealth is likely to be &#8220;income from employment&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other sources such as inheritances or dividends can be selected if needed and assigned corresponding percentages. Only when the sources of wealth add up to exactly 100 per cent can you continue with the sign-up process.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It goes without saying that the sources of wealth can only be <strong>a rough estimate<\/strong>. So don&#8217;t let this supposedly tough nut put you off!<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2FUniversal%2FApplication%0A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">opening your account free of charge<\/a>, future logins use so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Zwei-Faktor-Authentisierung\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">two-factor authentication<\/a>, which meets higher security standards.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Handy:<\/strong> Every time you log in, you can choose between the &#8220;Live&#8221; (default) and &#8220;Paper&#8221; (demo) options. The former shows your real portfolio and is intended for &#8220;live&#8221; transactions. The latter is suitable if you only want to simulate transactions in a sample portfolio.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3251\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"423\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung12_Login.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3251\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Login with the &#8220;Live&#8221; and &#8220;Paper&#8221; (demo) options.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Wie_ueberweise_ich_Geld\"><span id=\"How_do_I_transfer_money\">How do I transfer money?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can conveniently transfer money from your Swiss main bank, in <strong>different currencies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3252\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1039\" height=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung13_Cash_Report.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3252\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Whether CHF, EUR, USD or other currencies: separate accounts for numerous currencies are no problem at IBKR.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Europ%C3%A4ischer_Zahlungsraum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SEPA<\/a>, transfers in CHF and EUR each arrive in full, i.e. free of charge, in the respective IBKR currency account.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, we can&#8217;t recommend USD transfers. In our test transfer, only USD 186 of the original USD 200 arrived. And that&#8217;s not all: depending on the Swiss bank, your main bank may also charge flat fees for such transfers. PostFinance, for example, charges CHF 2.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that before you initiate a transfer via your main bank, you need to notify IBKR of the amount and currency.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3253\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1341\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung14_Bankueberweisungen_CHF_Voranmeldung.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3253\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Notifying IBKR of upcoming transfers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So if, for example, you want to invest in an ETF traded in USD, it&#8217;s much cheaper to have your CHF or EUR exchanged directly via IBKR (see chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/interactive-brokers-switzerland-experience\/#Waehrungswechselgebuehren\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/interactive-brokers-schweiz-erfahrungen\/#Waehrungswechselgebuehren\">Currency exchange fees<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to <strong>transfer cash from IBKR back to your main bank<\/strong>, in our experience <strong>one transaction per month is free<\/strong>; each additional one costs CHF 11. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Was_ist_beim_Depotuebertrag_zu_beachten\"><span id=\"What_do_I_need_to_bear_in_mind_when_transferring_a_securities_account\">What do I need to bear in mind when transferring a securities account?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to securities account transfers, a distinction is made between external transfers (switching brokers) and internal transfers within the same provider.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, securities transfers to Interactive Brokers have improved noticeably in recent years: while an external transfer was still time-consuming in 2022, later transfers from PostFinance \u2013 including Tesla shares and, most recently, an ETF over the 2025\/26 turn of the year \u2013 were each completed smoothly within a few days.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IBKR itself does not charge any fees for securities account transfers. However, you need to factor in the sometimes hefty costs charged by the transferring broker \u2013 at PostFinance, for example, CHF 100 per position.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our assessment:<\/strong> Despite these fees, a securities account transfer can make sense \u2013 <strong>better to accept a one-off cost than to be permanently annoyed by an overpriced broker<\/strong>. If you&#8217;re still undecided, you can start at IBKR with fresh capital first and consider a transfer later.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Switching_to_a_joint_account_requires_a_securities_account_transfer\">Switching to a joint account requires a securities account transfer<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, changing the client type also requires a securities account transfer \u2013 an internal one. This means that a simple change in the settings of the existing account is not possible. Stefan and Toni each opened a new joint account (client type &#8220;Joint&#8221;) and then transferred cash and securities in two separate steps within IBKR from their previous individual account (client type &#8220;Individual&#8221;) to the new joint accounts.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This internal transfer took just a few clicks, was completed within a few minutes (Stefan, with the &#8220;Cash&#8221; account type) or a few days (Toni, with the &#8220;Margin&#8221; account type ) and is <strong>free of charge<\/strong>. The previous individual account remains open and can be closed separately if needed.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Wie_funktioniert_der_ETF-Kauf\"><span id=\"How_does_buying_an_ETF_work\">How does buying an ETF work?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using the &#8220;Trade&#8221; button, you can buy ETFs in a matter of seconds. As we&#8217;ve already explained, the range is huge.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the IBKR account has been &#8220;fed&#8221; with enough cash, it&#8217;s time to select the ETF you want.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The initial selection is made via the free-text field. In our experience, the easiest way to search is by <strong>entering the ticker<\/strong>, which usually identifies the ETF or share with four letters. Several results are often displayed.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now you need to narrow down the search results further by selecting the desired exchange and your preferred trading currency.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-3254\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1668\" height=\"974\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Abbildung15_Bestaetigung_Trade.gif\" alt=\"Interactive Brokers Switzerland review\" class=\"wp-image-3254\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Purchase confirmation (right) for the &#8220;Vanguard All-World UCITS&#8221; ETF with the ticker &#8220;VWRL&#8221;, traded on the Swiss exchange SIX (EBS) in the trading currency CHF (and fund currency USD), on the IBKR Client Portal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, in typical American fashion, one or two warning windows pop up before the purchase is final. We didn&#8217;t let this unsettle us and generously clicked away the risk warnings each time.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Fractional_trading_and_recurring_investments_savings_plan_possible\">Fractional trading and recurring investments (savings plan) possible!<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactivebrokers.co.uk\/mkt\/?src=schweiz13&amp;url=%2Fde%2Findex.php%3Ff%3D45778\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Trading fractions of ETFs and shares<\/a> is a speciality of Interactive Brokers. This is likely to be particularly attractive for investors who only have a small budget and\/or want to invest a fixed amount every month with a savings plan.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This offer applies to more than <strong>22,000 shares and ETFs<\/strong> (as at 3 January 2026) traded on <strong>North American and European exchanges<\/strong> (see our purchase of 3.5 units of the Vanguard ETF &#8220;VNQI&#8221; in the account statement above).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> To benefit from fractional trading, you first need to activate this function in the settings under &#8220;Trading Permissions&#8221;, &#8220;Stocks \u2013 change\/add&#8221;, &#8220;Worldwide \u2013 global (fractional trading)&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Activating this function also lets you set up an automatic savings plan. <\/strong>In other words, you can define a fixed amount and an interval for all products that support fractions, putting your investments on autopilot. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Wie_kompetent_und_effizient_ist_der_Helpdesk\"><span id=\"How_competent_and_efficient_is_the_helpdesk\">How competent and efficient is the helpdesk?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p data-start=\"243\" data-end=\"521\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Interactive Brokers<\/span><\/span> offers German-speaking customer service and also has a Swiss branch in the canton of Zug. <strong>Support is provided via a structured ticket system<\/strong>, which gives you a good overview of open and completed enquiries.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"528\" data-end=\"1004\">According to our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, the quality of support is <strong data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"640\">inconsistent<\/strong> overall. While the English-speaking support often responds faster and is more convincing in terms of expertise, the responses from the German-speaking support are sometimes delayed or not very helpful in terms of content.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Learning_centre_IBKR_Campus\">Learning centre \/ IBKR Campus<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For general, non-account-specific questions, <strong>IBKR Campus<\/strong> offers a wide range of information and learning content on financial topics. The free offering includes explainer videos, webinars on current topics and podcasts, among other things.<\/p>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/ibkrcampus.eu\/?src=schweiz13&amp;ibban=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">comprehensive learning content<\/a> is freely accessible and, for existing clients, also available directly via the Client Portal. The focus is on English-language content, supplemented by selected content in German and French; you can use the language filters to display it specifically.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"What_are_the_alternatives_to_Interactive_Brokers\">What are the alternatives to Interactive Brokers?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As European alternatives to the US provider <strong>Interactive Brokers<\/strong>, we can recommend the Dutch online broker <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/degiro-experience-switzerland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DEGIRO<\/a>, the Swiss market leader <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/our-swissquote-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Swissquote<\/a> and \u2013 after its recent round of fee cuts \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/saxo-bank-reviews-informed-and-critical\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Saxo Bank<\/a>, which is also regulated in Switzerland. We have summarised the key features of these brokers (including sign-up bonuses) on our <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/our-recommendations\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"4783\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recommendations page<\/a>. We&#8217;ve also made choosing the right online broker easier for you in this article: <a href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/best-broker-switzerland-6-important-factors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best broker in Switzerland: 6 key factors you need to know<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Conclusion_from_our_Interactive_Brokers_Switzerland_experience\">Conclusion from our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similar to DEGIRO, this foreign broker also scores with <strong>very low costs<\/strong> (especially for securities trading on US exchanges!), <strong>no custody fees<\/strong> and <strong>no stamp duty.<\/strong> This means that IBKR should basically make the shortlist for all <strong>return-oriented, cost-conscious Swiss investors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike DEGIRO, however, Interactive Brokers seems <strong>rather complex<\/strong>, at least at first: <strong>several account types, pricing models and platforms<\/strong> leave you spoilt for (supposedly) the right choice. In other words, if you&#8217;re a little <strong>patient<\/strong> and have fought your way through this review undeterred, you won&#8217;t be unsettled by what is probably the most multi-layered broker on the planet \u2013 and may even come to appreciate it especially for this reason in the medium term.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>security-conscious investor<\/strong> is likely to be convinced by the <strong>successful,<\/strong> <strong>crisis-proof company history<\/strong> of around 50 years, the <strong>generous deposit insurance<\/strong> and the (optional) <strong>decision not to lend out your securities<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further plus points for us are the useful tools for <strong>portfolio analysis<\/strong>, the extremely low <strong>currency exchange fees<\/strong> and the comparatively very attractive interest rates for the risky <strong>securities-backed lending business<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also rate IBKR&#8217;s many practical conveniences positively, such as the  option to buy <strong>fractions of ETFs<\/strong> and shares or to set up an <strong>automated savings plan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, IBKR scores by letting you familiarise yourself with a <strong>demo version<\/strong> without obligation and by allowing you to contact <strong>customer support<\/strong> with all kinds of questions in <strong>German<\/strong> too. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the downside, however, you sometimes have to expect <strong>long response times<\/strong> of a week or more. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We were also somewhat irritated at first by the lack of reporting after trades. These reports are not automatically generated and sent, as we&#8217;re used to with other brokers. Instead, the corresponding transaction confirmation, including fee details, can only be retrieved on the following day. In the meantime, however, we&#8217;ve come to terms with this quite well. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Final_verdict\">Final verdict<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the title of this article, we asked whether IBKR is the best broker for Swiss investors. Based on our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience, we consider IBKR to be an <strong>extremely attractive broker<\/strong>. The multi-award-winning US provider is likely to be the first choice for you in particular if you attach great importance to <strong>low costs<\/strong> (including currency exchange fees and Lombard loan interest rates), <strong>high security standards<\/strong>, a <strong>large ETF range<\/strong> and\/or <strong>a wide range of analysis options<\/strong> for your portfolio \u2013 and, last but not least, if you&#8217;re not put off by the complexity of Interactive Brokers. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Frequently_asked_questions_about_Interactive_Brokers\">Frequently asked questions about Interactive Brokers<\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"What_has_your_experience_with_Interactive_Brokers_been_like\">What has your experience with Interactive Brokers been like?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Our experience with Interactive Brokers has been very positive: Stefan and Toni have been clients for several years and invest their own money there. We were convinced by the low costs, the high level of security and the large range of ETFs. The downside: Interactive Brokers is more complex than other brokers, and support sometimes only replies after a week or later.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Is_Interactive_Brokers_available_in_Switzerland\">Is Interactive Brokers available in Switzerland?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, Interactive Brokers is open to investors in Switzerland. The contracting party for Swiss clients is Interactive Brokers UK, with London as the place of jurisdiction. Interactive Brokers also has a branch in the canton of Zug. You can also trade on the Swiss exchange SIX, which is listed at Interactive Brokers under the abbreviation &#8220;EBS&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Is_Interactive_Brokers_reputable_and_safe\">Is Interactive Brokers reputable and safe?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Interactive Brokers is a regulated, publicly listed broker with around 50 years of company history. Your assets are held separately from the company&#8217;s assets. The US investor protection scheme SIPC covers up to USD 500,000, of which up to USD 250,000 in cash. Cash above that is insured up to USD 2.5 million through the FDIC programme. With the &#8220;Cash&#8221; account type, your securities are also not lent out by default.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-4\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Who_owns_Interactive_Brokers\">Who owns Interactive Brokers?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Interactive Brokers is majority-owned by its own people: around 70% of the shares are held by employees and companies affiliated with Interactive Brokers. The largest shareholder is Thomas Peterffy, who founded the US company in 1977 and today chairs the board of directors. The shares are traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker IBKR.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-5\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"How_much_does_Interactive_Brokers_cost\">How much does Interactive Brokers cost?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Interactive Brokers charges no custody fees. You only pay transaction fees and, where applicable, currency exchange fees. On SIX, buying an ETF under the &#8220;Tiered&#8221; pricing model costs 0.05% of the trade value, at least CHF 1.50 and at most CHF 49, plus external fees. On US exchanges, you pay from USD 0.35 per trade (as of November 2026).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Does_Interactive_Brokers_charge_stamp_duty\">Does Interactive Brokers charge stamp duty?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. With Interactive Brokers, there is no federal stamp duty of 0.075% on Swiss and 0.15% on foreign securities. On a trade of CHF 20,000, you therefore save CHF 15 or CHF 30 compared with a Swiss broker.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-7\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Is_there_a_minimum_deposit_or_an_inactivity_fee_at_Interactive_Brokers\">Is there a minimum deposit or an inactivity fee at Interactive Brokers?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. There is no minimum deposit for the &#8220;Cash&#8221; account type, and Interactive Brokers abolished the inactivity fee in 2021. So you can start with small amounts too. Thanks to fractional trading, you can even buy fractions of ETF units.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-8\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"How_expensive_is_currency_exchange_at_Interactive_Brokers\">How expensive is currency exchange at Interactive Brokers?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Currency exchange at Interactive Brokers is very cheap: it costs 0.0008 to 0.002% of the amount, but at least USD 2 per transaction, with no hidden spreads. In our test, we got around EUR 20 more for CHF 4,100 than with Wise. USD transfers from your main bank, on the other hand, are not a good idea: of USD 200, only USD 186 arrived.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-9\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Can_I_set_up_an_ETF_savings_plan_at_Interactive_Brokers\">Can I set up an ETF savings plan at Interactive Brokers?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. For more than 22,000 ETFs and shares that can be traded in fractions on North American and European exchanges, you can set up an automatic savings plan with a fixed amount and interval (as of January 2026). To do so, first activate fractional trading under &#8220;Trading Permissions&#8221;. The savings plan incurs the normal, low transaction fees.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-10\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"How_does_account_opening_work_at_Interactive_Brokers\">How does account opening work at Interactive Brokers?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Opening an account at Interactive Brokers is free of charge, takes place entirely online and takes around 20 minutes. Have your passport or driving licence ready (the identity card is not accepted). Think in advance about where your assets come from, as you will be asked about this. Umlauts are not allowed in free-text fields, so enter &#8220;Zuerich&#8221; instead of &#8220;Z\u00fcrich&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-11\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Does_Interactive_Brokers_offer_a_demo_account\">Does Interactive Brokers offer a demo account?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. When you log in, you choose between &#8220;Live&#8221; for your real portfolio and &#8220;Paper&#8221;, a free demo account. There you can try out transactions with a sample portfolio without using real money. In addition, the IBKR Campus offers free explainer videos, webinars and podcasts.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-12\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"How_much_does_a_portfolio_transfer_to_Interactive_Brokers_cost\">How much does a portfolio transfer to Interactive Brokers cost?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Interactive Brokers does not charge any fees for incoming portfolio transfers. However, the transferring broker may charge fees, for example CHF 100 per position at PostFinance. Our most recent transfers from PostFinance were each completed within a few days.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-13\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Can_I_open_a_joint_account_at_Interactive_Brokers\">Can I open a joint account at Interactive Brokers?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, all account types are also available as a joint account for two people. One variant is &#8220;Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship&#8221; with mutual rights of inheritance. However, an existing individual account cannot be converted. You open a new joint account and transfer cash and securities internally, which is free of charge and only takes a few clicks.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-14\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"How_do_I_declare_my_Interactive_Brokers_portfolio_in_my_tax_return\">How do I declare my Interactive Brokers portfolio in my tax return?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Interactive Brokers does not issue a Swiss e-tax statement. You download the account statement as of 31 December from the platform and transfer the positions manually to the list of securities. For US-domiciled ETFs, you have the US withholding tax credited using form DA-1. For ETFs domiciled in Ireland, this step is not necessary.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-15\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Interactive_Brokers_or_DEGIRO_which_broker_is_better\">Interactive Brokers or DEGIRO: which broker is better?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Interactive Brokers and DEGIRO are both among the cheapest brokers for Swiss investors, as neither charges custody fees or stamp duty. Interactive Brokers also offers automatic savings plans, fractional trading, lower currency exchange fees and comparatively cheap Lombard loans. DEGIRO, on the other hand, is much simpler and charges low fixed fees per trade, no matter how much you invest. However, DEGIRO does not offer savings plans, so you buy each tranche manually.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-interactive-brokers-16\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span id=\"Interactive_Brokers_Saxo_or_Swissquote_what_are_the_differences\">Interactive Brokers, Saxo or Swissquote: what are the differences?<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>In terms of fees, Interactive Brokers is usually cheaper than Saxo Bank and Swissquote. Trades on US exchanges cost significantly less, currency exchange is cheaper and interest rates on Lombard loans are lower. In addition, there is no stamp duty, which Saxo Bank and Swissquote have to charge as providers regulated in Switzerland. At Saxo Bank, on the other hand, you can buy selected iShares ETFs via a savings plan without purchase fees. As the Swiss market leader, Swissquote is the first choice if you are looking for a Swiss provider with comprehensive banking services such as payment cards and the like.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"You_might_also_be_interested_in\">You might also be interested in<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/themes\/schweizerfinanzblog\/components\/post-list-component\/post-list-component.css\">\n\n<div class=\"post-list-componenet pt-2 pb-4\">\n\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t <div class=\"col-xl-6\">\n\t\t\t <a class=\"text-decoration-none\" href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/best-broker-switzerland-6-important-factors\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"d-flex post-list-card\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-list-image \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Titelbild_Bester_Broker_EN.png\" class=\"attachment-1920x1297 size-1920x1297 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Best Broker Switzerland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Titelbild_Bester_Broker_EN.png 2048w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Titelbild_Bester_Broker_EN-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Titelbild_Bester_Broker_EN-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-list-title px-2 d-flex align-items-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"\">Best Broker in Switzerland: 6 Key Factors You Need to Know<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t <div class=\"col-xl-6\">\n\t\t\t <a class=\"text-decoration-none\" href=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/best-etfs-switzerland-and-global\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"d-flex post-list-card\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-list-image \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Titelbild_BesteETFs_2026_EN.png\" class=\"attachment-1920x1297 size-1920x1297 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Best ETFs Switzerland and global\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Titelbild_BesteETFs_2026_EN.png 2048w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Titelbild_BesteETFs_2026_EN-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Titelbild_BesteETFs_2026_EN-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-list-title px-2 d-flex align-items-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"\">Best ETFs in Switzerland and Globally 2026: And the Winner Is\u2026<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Updates\">Updates<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2026-11-06: Frequently asked questions about Interactive Brokers added.<\/p>\n\n<p>2026-06-26: &#8220;In a nutshell&#8221; section restructured.  <\/p>\n<p>2026-01-13: Comprehensively updated and restructured. New chapter on the PortfolioAnalyst tool added.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2025-10-31: Saxo Bank added as an additional IBKR alternative. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2025-03-28: Additional real transaction confirmation added to illustrate the fee situation for US trades. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2025-01-12: New image added showing IBKR&#8217;s product range on the Swiss exchange. Improved filter and sorting options for product and exchange searches pointed out. Pricing added for transferring cash back to your main bank (including free monthly transfers). Various minor updates made. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2024-07-09: IBKR Campus mentioned, with comprehensive information material, including in German.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2024-05-27: In addition to the individual account, the joint account explained as an option, including the process of an internal securities account transfer from an individual to a joint account.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2024-05-18: Overview of all seven platforms added and new &#8220;IBKR Desktop&#8221; platform presented. Stefan&#8217;s transfer of his Tesla shares to IBKR mentioned.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2024-05-13: Explanations of the pricing models expanded and supplemented with fees on US exchanges.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2024-01-29: Note added, based on a specific example, that the English-speaking support is also sometimes overloaded or takes too long to respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-11-29: Exchange rate fees: CHF\/EUR exchange rate comparison with Wise for an amount of CHF 4,100 added. Tip no. 3 added.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-10-27: Rules on deposit insurance adjusted after a video call with the IBKR support team in Switzerland.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-09-04: Fractional trading offering clarified. Note added that recurring investments on autopilot are now possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-06-12: Adjustments made to the tiered pricing structure.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-05-19: Note that ETFs are treated as segregated assets with regard to deposit insurance deleted, as according to Interactive Brokers UK support this is not the case. Note added that waiting times for German-speaking support can sometimes be several weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-03-31: Changes to deposit insurance: new organisation and limit added.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-02-03: Note added that when you change the pricing model, the new pricing model does not take effect immediately, but only on the following business day.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023-01-13: &#8220;In a nutshell&#8221; text block added. Contracting party UK and place of jurisdiction London added. Various minor updates made.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2022-12-16: Note and real example added showing that IBKR is also suitable as a &#8220;bureau de change&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Disclaimer\">Disclaimer<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Disclaimer: <\/strong>Investing involves the risk of loss. You have to decide for yourself whether or not you want to take these risks.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Errors excepted:<\/strong> We have written this article about our Interactive Brokers Switzerland experience to the best of our knowledge and belief. Our goal is to provide you, as a private investor, with information on financial topics that is as objective and meaningful as possible. If we have nevertheless made mistakes, forgotten important aspects and\/or if information is no longer up to date, we would be grateful if you let us know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since it was founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers has grown from a US pioneer in electronic trading into one of the world&#8217;s leading online brokers. In this Interactive Brokers Switzerland review, based on our own experience, we show where this powerful, multi-award-winning US provider beats the competition and what you should pay particular attention to. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8435,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[178],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11814"}],"version-history":[{"count":63,"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18923,"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11814\/revisions\/18923"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schweizerfinanzblog.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}