1. It is regulated where you live
Use a bank or broker that is authorised by the financial regulator in your country. The regulator publishes a register you can search. An authorised firm is also covered by the national investor protection scheme, up to a set amount.
2. It offers the right account type
Many countries have an account with simpler or lower tax for long-term saving, such as the ISA in the United Kingdom or the ISK in Sweden. Check that the platform offers it before you compare anything else.
3. The costs fit small, regular deposits
| Cost | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Fee per purchase | None for funds, or a free savings plan for ETFs. A fixed fee of 1 EUR on a 50 EUR deposit is 2% gone before you start. |
| Account or custody fee | None, or low in relation to what you will hold |
| Currency exchange fee | Applies when you buy funds or ETFs priced in another currency |
| Fund fee | Set by the fund, not the platform, but the platform decides which funds you can buy |
The EU securities regulator ESMA found that costs took about 2,800 EUR from a ten-year investment of 10,000 EUR in 2009–2018.[1] On small monthly deposits, the fee per purchase is the one that matters most.
4. It has the fund you want, and can automate the purchase
Check that the platform offers a broad, low-cost global index fund and that you can set up an automatic monthly purchase. Automation is what keeps the saving going. See Which global index fund?
Common questions
Is the cheapest platform always the best?
Cost matters most over time, but only after the basics are in place: authorisation, the right account type and the fund you want.
Can I move to another platform later?
Usually, yes. Many platforms can transfer your holdings. Check whether the transfer costs anything and whether it has tax consequences in your country.
Sources & further reading
We cite independent authorities so you can verify everything yourself. Last reviewed 15 Sept 2026.