Ireland

Ireland's role in retail trading changed with Brexit. When UK firms lost their EU passport, several established brokers set up or expanded Irish entities to keep serving clients across the EEA, and the Central Bank of Ireland became the supervisor for a larger share of the industry than its market size would suggest.

The regulator

The Central Bank authorises investment firms under MiFID II and has a reputation for demanding substance rather than a nameplate: firms must show real management presence, risk functions and decision-making in Ireland rather than an office forwarding decisions to London. That vetting is one reason an Irish authorisation carries weight.

Trading conditions

The ESMA measures apply in full — 30:1 on major currency pairs, 20:1 on minors, gold and major indices, 10:1 on other commodities, 5:1 on shares, 2:1 on cryptocurrencies — with negative balance protection, margin close-out at 50%, no bonuses and mandatory loss-rate disclosure. Binary options are prohibited for retail clients.

Spread betting

Ireland is one of the very few EU markets where spread betting is offered, largely because of the shared history with the UK market. The tax treatment is not identical to Britain's, however, and the Irish position differs in ways that matter — do not assume UK guidance applies. Whether spread betting or CFDs suit you is a tax question specific to Irish residence, and it deserves an accountant rather than a forum.

Compensation

The Irish Investor Compensation Scheme pays 90% of a client's net loss up to a maximum of €20,000 — the EU floor, and considerably less than the £85,000 available across the border in the UK. Traders who moved accounts from a UK entity to an Irish one after Brexit generally saw their protection limit fall substantially, and few were told so directly. Check which entity holds your account and which scheme covers it.

Tax

Trading gains are generally subject to capital gains tax at the standard Irish rate, with an annual exemption and the obligation to file. A foreign broker does not withhold or report on your behalf, leaving the return entirely to you.

Checks

The Central Bank publishes registers of authorised firms and of EEA firms passporting in, plus warnings about unauthorised providers. Confirm the entity, the regulator and the scheme before funding.