How to Start Forex Trading in Spain

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Contributor, Benzinga
November 14, 2024
verified by Jay and Julie Hawk

As one of Europe’s leading financial centers, Spain provides forex traders with a stable base currency and extensive broker regulations, making it a favorable environment for currency trading. Forex is an accessible global market where currencies managed by central banks are traded by investors speculating on currency fluctuations. Spain’s forex trading community is expanding as more traders tap into this profitable market.

If you’re ready to start forex trading in Spain, there are a few essential steps to get you started. From learning forex trading fundamentals to selecting a trustworthy broker, this article covers everything you need to begin your trading journey in Spain.

Disclosure: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% to 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. The products and services available to you at FOREX.com will depend on your location and on which of its regulated entities holds your account

How to Get Started with Forex in Spain

No matter which forex broker you choose, you’ll go through a similar process when you open an account. You can gain access to major currencies, look into varying currency markets and do spot trading as much as you like. Let’s take a look at the basic steps you can expect to take when you open your 1st forex trading account.

  • Get a Stable Internet Connection: Forex trading often capitalizes on quick, minute-to-minute price movements. This means that a stable, consistent internet connection is the most important tool a trader can have. Test your internet connection and be sure that your connection is stable before moving forward.
  • Choose a Broker: You cannot buy and sell currencies directly — you must work through a broker to execute your trades on your behalf. The forex broker you choose will play a direct role in the currencies you have access to, the fees you pay and the platforms you can use. Be sure to take plenty of time to compare brokers before you choose where you want to open an account.
  • Open an Account: After you select a broker, open your account. You’ll usually be required to submit a bit of personal information and a scan of your photo ID before you can finish opening your brokerage account.
  • Download Your Trading Platform: Though some brokerages do provide a proprietary platform, you might also want to work with a 3rd-party platform like MetaTrader 4 or 5. Check and see which platforms your broker supports before you download.
  • Fund Your Account: After your account is open, it’s time to fund your brokerage account. Most brokers in Spain support bank transfers, wire transfers and even credit card deposits.
  • Make Your First Trade: Once your account is funded, you can officially trade forex and place your 1st order. 

Compare Online Forex Brokers in Spain

When you trade forex, you’ll place your orders through a licensed broker. The broker you choose will make a major impact on the amount you pay when you trade — so it’s worth taking the time to review a few brokers before you choose which one is right for you. The foreign exchange market is complex, and you want to feel comfortable when registering. If you aren’t where to begin, consider a few of our favorite brokers below. 

Spain Forex Trading Strategies

Most Spanish traders trade the EUR-USD currency pair when they get started forex trading. This is because both the euro and the dollar are considered to be safe reserve currencies, which means that fast price fluctuations are unlikely to cause you to lose excessive amounts of money in a short period of time.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most common trading strategies traders in Spain use to capitalize on price movements between the euro and the dollar. Though these strategies aren’t foolproof guarantees you’ll make money, they can provide a strong starting point to build your own trading strategy. 

Reversal Candlesticks

One of the 1st things traders look for when deciding when to buy or sell a currency is a reversal candlestick. When a reversal candlestick is triggered, it indicates that the general trend of a currency’s movement may change. A reversal candlestick might indicate a buy signal or a sell signal depending on its placement.  

Breakout Strategy

The breakout strategy is most commonly used by traders who trade when market volatility is the lowest. Traders using the breakout strategy look for periods when their currency pair is following a sideways pattern. They track this pattern until a “breakout” candlestick forms — that is, a candlestick with boundaries that go outside of the standard pattern. This breakout candlestick may indicate the beginning of a trend movement, which may act as a buy or sell signal depending on its form.   

Forex Trading Example in Spain

How exactly does forex trading work — and is it really possible to make money on the forex market? Let’s take a look at a basic example of how you might earn money trading forex as a resident of Spain or a traveler.

Imagine that you open a brokerage account and fund it with €10,000. Your broker offers you 10:1 leverage, which means that you have the power to trade with €100,000 if you choose to use it.

You believe that the value of the USD will rise in comparison to the EUR soon. You use all of your leverage to convert your EUR to USD, which is currently trading at a rate of 1:1.12. This means that when you use all of your capital and your leverage, you’re left with $112,000 USD.

A few days later, you see that you were correct — 1 EUR is now worth only 1.09 USD. You decide that now is the right time to convert your entire lot of USD back to your base currency. After your conversion, you’re left with about €102,752 EUR. After you account for what you borrowed in leverage, you made a profit of about €2,752 EUR on this transaction. 

Take Your First Steps Into Forex

With more than $6 trillion moving in and out of the market on a daily basis and near around-the-clock availability, there’s little question why forex trading is so popular. Check forex prices using your favored exchange, read information designed for individual investors and remember that the techniques used by the individual trader will change from person to person.

However, this doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to make money forex trading — especially as a 1st-time trader. Be sure to practice your trading strategy using a demo account or paper trading account before you invest any of your own money.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Is forex trading legal in Spain?

A

Yes, Forex trading is legal in Spain. The country has a well-regulated financial market, and individuals and businesses are allowed to engage in Forex trading as long as they comply with the regulatory requirements set by the Spanish authorities. Traders in Spain can choose from a variety of regulated brokers and participate in the global Forex market.

Q

Can you trade forex in Europe?

A

Yes, trading forex is allowed in Europe. However, regulations and requirements may vary between countries within Europe. It is important to research and comply with the specific regulations of the country you are trading from.

Q

Can I open a brokerage account in Spain?

A

Yes, you can open a brokerage account in Spain. You can trade forex, stocks, ETFs and more.

Get a Forex Pro on Your Side

FOREX.com, registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), lets you trade a wide range of forex markets with low pricing and fast, quality execution on every trade. 

You can also tap into:

  • EUR/USD as low as 0.2 with fixed $5 commissions per 100,000
  • Powerful, purpose-built currency trading platforms
  • Monthly cash rebates of up to $9 per million dollars traded with FOREX.com’s Active Trader Program

Learn more about FOREX.com’s low pricing and how you can get started trading with FOREX.com.

Sarah Horvath

About Sarah Horvath

Sarah is an expert in the insurance, investing for retirement and cryptocurrency space.