12+ Best Ways to Buy Bitcoin in Europe

So, you finally decided to start investing in Bitcoin (BTC)- that’s a smart choice!

 

I’m glad you want to become a (greater) part of – what I believe is – financial revolution.

 

With the growing of cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets, that’s changed.

 

These days, buying Bitcoin in Europe is getting a lot easier.

 

In my previous post, I talked about some of the best crypto exchanges to buy and sell Bitcoin internationally, but today I’d like to focus on different ways you can buy your first (tiny fraction of) Bitcoin in Europe.

 

If you reside in an EU country and are looking to buy Bitcoin, this complete guide will help you get started with your crypto investment in no time.

 

Here’re some of the best ways to buy Bitcoin in Europe which I’ll discuss in detail below:

Crypto Exchanges	Best for	Deposit Methods	Mobile app
Relai	Bitcoin-only investment app	Bank transfer	✓
ChangeNOW	Instant crypto-to-crypto exchange	cryptocurrencies, credit card	x
Coinmama	Can only buy Bitcoin. Cannot sell Bitcoin	SEPA Bank tranfer, credit card, debit card	x
CoinSmart	Best for Beginners and Advanced traders, Instant Verification	SEPA, Interac eTransfer, Bank Wire, Bank Draft, Credit Cards, Debit Cards	✓
Kriptomat	Beginner-friendly, Low and transparent fees	SEPA Bank tranfer, credit card, Skrill, Neteller, cryptocurrency	✓
Bitcoin Reserve	bitcoin-only Brokerage for Europeans	SEPA Bank tranfer	x
Cryptal Exchange	Best for Beginners and Advanced traders Flat, transparent fees	SWIFT wire transfer, Direct IBAN transfer credit card, debit card, cryptocurrency	x
Kraken	The largest crypto exchange in Europe by daily trading volume.	SEPA Bank transfer, credit card, debit card, SWIFT	✓
Paymium	The first European Bitcoin exchange, offers the Lowest fees	wire deposit, Apple Pay credit card	✓

 

That said, it’s always a good idea to do your own research before you start investing your hard-earned money into the game to avoid any unnecessary losses and scams.

 

If you haven’t done so, check out a few of our guides:

• What is Bitcoin and Why all the fuss with Cryptocurrency?
• Basic Bitcoin/Crypto Wallet Guides
• 10+ Bitcoin Security Tips For Beginners
• FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Bitcoin Before You Buy
• Top 7 Bitcoin Myths That Need To Be Busted Right Now!
• How to Invest in Bitcoin: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
• Why Invest in Bitcoin

 

Ready? Here’s How to Buy Bitcoin in Europe…

To start buying Bitcoin in Europe, there are two important things you need:

1. A place to buy it — an exchange
2. A place to store it — a wallet

 

Keep in mind that the crypto exchanges listed here are only good for buying Bitcoins and not for storing them.

 

Don’t store your Bitcoin on any crypto exchange or platform any longer than you need to.

 

Get yourself a self-hosted Bitcoin hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor and always move your Bitcoin to your own wallet every time you complete a transaction.

Don’t have a wallet? Check out our guide on Bitcoin wallets.

 

The concept of investing in Bitcoin is as simple as converting your EUR to another currency, except that the transactions are digital.

 

Of all the methods, the easiest way for newcomers to purchase Bitcoin is through an online exchange.

 

Let’s see how you can quickly buy Bitcoin via an crypto exchange:

1. Find a cryptocurrency exchange that accepts your EUR for BTC.
2. Sign up for a free account and complete KYC(Know-Your-Customer) procedure. It’s free to create an exchange account but you’ll need to verify your identity before you can start trading. A crypto exchange will usually ask you to provide personal information such as proof of address, national ID, phone number.
3. Start trading. Once your account is approved, you can start buying your first (tiny bit of) Bitcoin. Link your bank account, transfer funds to the exchange and enter the amount of Bitcoin (BTC) you’d like to purchase.
4. Transfer your Bitcoin to your own Bitcoin wallet. Once the transaction is completed, withdraw your coins from the exchange to a wallet that only you hold the keys to.

 

That’s how simple it is.

 

With so many crypto exchanges on the market, choosing the best platform can be time-consuming and overwhelming. 

 

To get you started, here are some popular and reputable cryptocurrency exchanges to buy Bitcoin in Europe.

 

Each exchange has different verification requirements, trading fees, deposit methods and interfaces.

 

Let’s find out:

 

Best Ways to Buy Bitcoin in Europe

 

1. Relai – The Easiest Way

Relai is one of the most secure, cheapest and easiest ways to buy and sell bitcoin in Europe.

 

Founded in Switzerland Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican, Relai is a Bitcoin-only investment app that allows you to easily buy, sell and invest in Bitcoin.

 

With Relai, you can now buy Bitcoin with no verification, no registration, no deposit!

 

You can buy bitcoin within one minutes using bank transfers. Or set up an automated savings plan to buy bitcoin automatically without the stress of timing the market. 

 

Even better, download the app, use use my code TMAVERICK and you can reduce your fees by 0.5%!

 

Here’s how it works:

1. Download Relai app (available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.)
2. Enter the amount of money you want to invest. Start with as little as 10 EUR/CHF.
3. Make a single purchase or set up an automated weekly or monthly savings plan.
4. Add your payment details. Use my code TMAVERICK, so you pay 0.5% lower fees.
5. Pay for your bitcoins. Go to your banking app and create a bank transfer using the details you see on the screen in the Relai app.

 

Each Relai account comes with a digital non-custodial bitcoin wallet. Which means you own the key and you have complete control of your bitcoin.

 

Important: Before you buy your first bitcoin, make sure to back up your wallet by writing down the 12 recovery seed words. So if you lose your device or switch to a new one, you can still restore access to your bitcoin.

 

When it comes to fees, Relai charges 2.5% for buying and 2.0% for selling. 
Luckily you can buy the cheapest bitcoin by using this method:

1. Set up a weekly or monthly savings plan

2. Set order amount to 100 EUR/CHF or more

3. Apply a referral code TMAVERICK to your order

Download Relai today.

• Get 10EUR/CHF when you start an auto-invest plan for 100 EUR/CHF
• Apply my referral code TMAVERICK to save 0.5% on fees

 

 

 

2. ChangeNOW– Crypto Swap Service

 

If you already have some altcoins and would like to exchange it to Bitcoin, ChangeNOW is a great place to start.

 

Unlike other crypto exchanges on the list, ChangeNOW is a crypto-to-crypto exchange that allows you to swap 170+ cryptocurrencies for Bitcoin. 

 

Their instant buy feature also supports buying Bitcoin using EURO with credit card.

 

One thing great about ChangeNOW is that you can get Bitcoin instantly by exchanging cryptos.

 

You don’t have to create an account. You also don’t have to go through any lengthy sign-up and KYC procedures.

 

Instead, you can exchange any coins directly, as much as you want, with no maximum limit.

 

With its user-friendly interface, you can quickly exchange crypto in 4 simple steps:

 

Step 1. Select the currency. Choose the coins you want to exchange from the drop-down menu and enter the amount. ChangeNOW will automatically calculate the amount of specific coins you’ll get.

 

 

Step 2: Provide your wallet address to receive your converted currency.

 

 

Step 3: Check all the information. If everything is ok, click “Confirm” to continue.

 

Step 4: Deposit funds to their wallet address and you’ll receive your coins in your own wallet in 5-30 minutes.

 

Pros:

• Fast and easy
• No transaction limits
• Compare and find the best exchange rate, and get coins into your wallet almost instantaneously.

Cons: 

• Mainly use for crypto-to-crypto exchange
• EUR bank deposits not supported

Get the best exchange rate with ChangeNOW here

 

 

3. Coinmama

 

Coinmama is reliable cryptocurrency exchange that’s known for its high limits for buying Bitcoin with a credit card operated since 2013.

 

However, convenience comes at a price. Buying Bitcoin using credit card may incur fees up to 5.5%.

 

Can you avoid it?

 

Yes, Coinmama now offers Europeans the option to buy Bitcoin instantly with a bank account (SEPA).

 

Compared to buying Bitcoin with a credit card, SEPA bank transfer allows you to buy great amounts of cryptocurrencies at lower fees.

 

With SEPA, you can buy up to 12,000USD worth of crypto a day with zero processing fees.

What’s different about Coinmama?

First, unlike major exchanges, Coinmama only supports sales of crypto. In other words, you cannot sell Bitcoin for Euro on Coinmama.

 

Second, Coinmama doesn’t have its own built-in wallet. So, you’ll need to provide your wallet address when you place an order. This is actually great. Remember, you want to keep your Bitcoin in your own private wallet, rather using any free exchange wallet for maximum security.

 

Here’s how to buy Bitcoin on Coinmama:

1. Create a Coinmama account. Head to Coinmama official website and sign up for a free account with your email ID.
2. Verify your account. Fill in your personal information and upload your ID or passport to verify your identity.
3. Buy Bitcoin.
   1. Credit card: You can either purchase a set amount of BTC or enter in a custom amount of up to roughly $5,000.
   2. Bank transfer using SEPA: Enter the amount of Bitcoin you want to purchase and initiate a SEPA bank transfer.
4. Enter your Bitcoin address (this is where Coinmama will send you purchased coins) and place your order.
5. Coins will be delivered straight to your private wallet once the deposit is received.

 

 

4. Coinbase – Most Established

 

Coinbase is a regulated platform for anyone in the EU to buy and sell cryptocurrencies easily at minimal fee. Users from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and other 100+ countries will be able to purchase Bitcoin and top cryptocurrencies with local currency on the exchange.

 

Founded in 2012, Coinbase is one of the longest standing Bitcoin exchanges based in the US. 

 

If you’re looking for a safe, simple and quick way to purchase some Bitcoin, you definitely won’t go wrong with Coinbase.

 

Coinbase has the world’ largest customer base, and recently, the exchange even files for IPO as Bitcoin is surging.

 

Coinbase is very easy to use. Simply sign up for a free account, and complete your verification in minutes. 

 

Once your account is approved, as an EU resident, you can buy Bitcoin (BTC) using two ways:

• SEPA Bank deposit -EUR and GBP supported
• Credit card or debit card- Visa/MasterCard supported

 

Coinbase charges different fees depending on your preferred payment methods.

 

Transfer funds from your bank account via SEPA to Coinbase is free of charge, while withdrawal will cost a flat fee of just €0.15. If you send via SWIFT, there’s a standard fee of $5, so make sure you send enough funds. Or else your funds won’t be returned if the amount is less than $5.

 

On the other hand, buying Bitcoin instantly using debit cards will incur a fee of 3.99%.

You can test it out with as little as $1.

 

If you’re not 100% ready to take the plunge, don’t worry. Check out Coinbase Earn, You can earn crypto while learning more about cryptocurrencies.

 

This way, you can get some free cryptocurrencies without actually investing in it.

 

 

5. Coinsmart

 

 

 

6. Kriptomat 

 

Kriptomat is an EU-based exchange platform for buying, selling, transferring and story cryptocurrency. It is fully licensed in Estonia and regulated under the EU regulation.

 

If you’ve never dabbled with cryptocurrency exchanges before, you can do so within minutes on Kriptomat.

 

Simply create a free account on Kriptomat, verify your identity and you’re good to go. 

 

You can Bitcoin and other 33+ cryptocurrencies using a variety of payment methods:

• SEPA bank transfer:
• Credit card
• Neteller
• Zimpler
• Skrill
• Sofort 

 

The cheapest way to buy Bitcoin is to fund your Kriptmat account via SEPA. Deposit and withdrawal using SEPA is free of charge.

 

Once the money hits your account, you can exchange your EUR to Bitcoin and pay a 1.45% trading fee.

 

If you don’t want to wait for SEPA deposit and want to get hold of some crypto instantly, then you can use credit card. But convenience comes at a price, there’s 3.70% processing fee for credit card instant buy.

 

 

7. Cryptal Exchange

 

Based out of Georgia and operational since 2018, Cryptal Exchange is a global cryptocurrency exchange that makes it super easy for all residents in the European Union to buy, sell and trade Bitcoin.

 

Cryptal Exchange operates as a straightforward online exchange, allowing buyers and sellers to meet in the middle, find a price for trading 6 top cryptocurrencies:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Tether (USDT)
• Bitcoin cash (BCH)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Chainlink (LINK)

 

Currently, it offers three main services:

1. Instant Trade: an instant exchange platform for newbie traders.
2. Crypto exchange: a full-featured modern spot trading platform that offers more powerful tools for experienced traders.

3. OTC Desk: a personalized service for institutions and high net-worth individuals who want to buy/sell large amounts of crypto without moving the market.

 

Buying and selling Bitcoin on Cryptal Exchange is pretty easy.

1. Sign up for a free Cryptal Exchange and verify your identity.
2. Once your account is approved, you can transfer funds to your Cryptal account using different payment methods. You can start buying Bitcoin with just $5.
3. Buy Bitcoin. Enter the amount of Bitcoin you want to buy and confirm your order.
4. Receive your Bitcoin. That’s it. Bitcoin will be delivered directly to your exchange account.

When it comes to spot trading, Cryptal Exchange has a flat, transparent fee of 0.25% for all trades.

 

Deposit fees vary depending on your payment methods:

• Visa/Mastercard: 3.00%
• AmEx: 4.50%
• Crypto: free
• Local bank transfer: free
• Internation wire transfer: free

 

While you can use Cryptal Exchange to manage and store your coins, it’s highly recommended to keep your crypto on your own Bitcoin hardware wallet. The exchange charge a one-time fee of 0.0005BTC when you withdraw Bitcoin to your external wallet.

 

 

8. Kraken

 

Launched in 2011, Kraken is one of the world’s most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges. And It’s the largest crypto exchange in Europe by daily trading volume.

 

Kraken offers top cryptos like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) & Monero (XMR) and more.

 

Similar to Coinbase, you can buy Bitcoin on Kraken using two methods:

• Purchase with a debit or credit card
• Link your European bank account and transfer funds via SEPA

 

If you’d like to buy bitcoin instantly with a debit/credit card, there is a fee of 3.75% + €0.25 per transaction, which is quite high.

 

If you don’t mind to wait a little longer, send your funds via SEPA can save you money, as there is no deposit fee but it can take up to 3 business day for your fiat currency to reach your Kraken account.

 

Alternatively, if you’re a bank account holder of Fidor Bank AG in Germany, here’s the good news -you’re able to send or receive funds to/from Kraken account almost instantly, for free! 

 

What’s great, Kraken has amongst the lowest trading fees in the industry. 

 

Here’s the fee schedule for regular spot trading, ranging from 0.26%- 0.00%:

 

 

As you can see, the more you trade, the lower your fee.

 

And you can start using Kraken to make your first crypto investment for just 1EUR.

 

 

9. CEX.IO

Established in 2013, CEX.IO is a UK based crypto exchange that offers a quick, cheap, and safe way to buy Bitcoin.

 

With CEX.IO, you can purchase Bitcoin using credit/debit card or bank transfer.

 

If you’re looking to purchase a large amount of BTC, it’s preferable to fund your account via bank transfer. If you just want to get some Bitcoin in a fast and easy manner, then buy using your debit/credit card in 1-click.

 

CEX.IO currently supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, and many more cryptocurrencies. 

 

You can fund your CEX.IO account using one of the following methods:

• VISA: A 2.99% fee of will be charged for each deposit.
• MasterCard: 2.99% deposit fee
• Skrill: 3.99% deposit fee
• Bank transfer: no charge for deposit, 0.3% + € 25.00 per withdrawal
• SEPA: $0 fee on deposits and withdrawals

 

Buying and selling Bitcoin on CEX.IO is very simple. Simply sign up for a free account, verify your identity, send funds to your account and you’re ready to purchase your first (or second) Bitcoin.

 

CEX.IO is available as a mobile app, allowing you to buy, sell and trade crypto assets on the go.

 

 

 

 

10. Bitcoin Reserve

 

Bitcoin Reserve is an Estonian-based, bitcoin-only brokerage that serves clients in the European continent.

 

Why bitcoin-only? Rather than present users with an abundance of other distractions (to earn more fees), strictly focusing on helping Europeans accumulate bitcoin would best serve their interest.

 

“Bitcoin is the future reserve currency of the world,” – Founder Nik Oraevskiy

 

The brokerage provides two core services for users. The first, known as Flash, enables users to immediately buy and sell bitcoin with limits of up to about $60,000 (€50,000). This service could be an avenue for users to purchase small amounts of bitcoin at regular intervals, effectively euro-cost averaging their investment and hedging against some of BTC’s volatility.

 

Paired with this, Bitcoin Reserve’s Concierge service offers the option to buy and sell bitcoin in amounts over that roughly $60,000 cap (€50,000).

 

 

11. Paymium

Founded in France in 2011, Paymium was the first European Bitcoin exchange and it complies with European regulation.

 

The obvious advantage of buying Bitcoin through this exchange is that they offer the lowest fees on the market. You get to enjoy -0.01% fee on all maker orders.

 

Which means, not only you don’t have to pay fees, but you will also earn 0.1% cashback directly on your Paymium account every time you trade.

 

If you want your order gets filled immediately at the market price, you’re a taker and you need to pay a 0.5% taker fee.

The deposit methods include wire deposit in €, credit card/ Apple purchase in EUR, USD and GBP.

 

Mobile version is available, making it easy for you to buy/sell your crypto assets anytime, anywhere.

 

Plus, your funds is safe with Paymium, as your money are protected by Weg bank, their German partner bank based in Munich.

 

 

12. Bitcoin ATM – The Offline Way

 

If you’re not fond of buying Bitcoin online via an crypto exchange, try using a Bitcoin ATM machine to quickly purchase some Bitcoin.

 

It works pretty similar to a conventional ATM machine in which you insert a bank card to withdraw cash. Except that, in this case, you insert your local money, (Euro) into a Bitcoin ATM, and in return you receive Bitcoin directly to your own private wallet.

 

It’s simple, easy and fast. You don’t have to sign up for an account, choose a strong password, or need to have a bank account in order to use ATM to buy Bitcoin.

 

The challenge is to find a Bitcoin ATM near you.

 

Luckily, Coin ATM Radar makes it super simple to locate all the closest Bitcoin ATMs near you.

 

Simply enter your current location, Coin ATM Radar will show you all the Bitcoin ATM available on a map.

 

You can check out the fees, limits and other terms before visiting the ATM machine.

 

Most importantly, make sure you bring along your Bitcoin wallet address, a BTC address where you’ll receive your purchased bitcoin.

 

The buying and selling process may vary depending on the types of Bitcoin ATM Machines that you’re using. 

 

But, in general, this is how you can easily buy Bitcoin via a BTC ATM: 

• Enter the amount of BTC you want to purchase on the ATM machine and your preferred BTC address.
• Insert cash into the appropriate slot
• That’s it. The ATM will send coins straight to your Bitcoin wallet.

 

Not too long ago, Bitcoin ATM is a hassle-free way to buy Bitcoin anonymously. You don’t have to submit any national ID or mobile phone to use it.

 

However, many of the ATM now will require some forms of ID verification before you can start buying/selling. So you check out the verification requirements first before you proceed.

 

The major disadvantage of using a Bitcoin ATM is the high fees. You’ll need to pay 7-12% fees for buying or selling Bitcoins.

 

What’s more, they usually have lower deposit and withdrawal limits, thus, it’s not suitable for large amount of Bitcoin transactions.

 

Interested to buy Bitcoin using ATMs?

This complete beginner’s Bitcoin ATM Guide might be helpful for you.

 

Conclusion – Buying Bitcoin in Europe

There you go! By now you should know exactly how to buy Bitcoin in Europe using some of the most reputable and trustworthy platforms:

1. Relai – The easiest, cheapest way to stack sats
2. Coinmama – Can only buy Bitcoin with a Card or SEPA, cannot sell Bitcoin
3. ChangeNOW – Best for instant crypto-to-crypto exchange
4. Coinbase – Best for Beginners
5. Cryptal Exchange – Best for Beginners and Advanced Traders
6. Kriptomat – Beginner friendly, low and transparent fees
7. YouHodler – Best for earning Crypto interest
8. Kraken – Largest crypto exchange in Europe
9. CEX.IO
10. Bitcoin Reserve – BTC-Only Brokerage for Europeans
11. Paymium – Lowest fee on the market
12. Bitcoin ATM – The Offline way, buy Bitcoin anonymously with cash

 

In general, to make your first Bitcoin investment in Europe (or anywhere in the world) :

1. Find a Bitcoin exchange
2. Exchange your local currency like EUR to bitcoins
3. Move your bitcoins to a secure Bitcoin wallet

 

Welcome to the world of Bitcoin!

 

We’re still in the VERY early stage of Bitcoin revolution. So, spend time to educate yourself, earn some free Bitcoin and stay safe.

 

Do you have any other questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.

And lastly, if you liked this post, don’t forget to share it on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

 

I’ve handpicked a few guides for you to read next:

• Crypto 101: The Ultimate List of Cryptocurrency Resource
• 10+ Easy Ways to Make Money with Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency
• 4 Best Ways to Convert Bitcoin to Cash
• 4 Best Ways to Instantly Exchange Cryptocurrency
• 10+ Legit Ways to Earn Free Bitcoin (#3 is My Favorite)-UPDATED 2021!
• How to Earn Interest on Bitcoin: The Best Bitcoin and Crypto Savings Account
• What is a Bitcoin Private Key, How to Protect It?
• 30 Popular Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin Terms
• 10 Interesting Bitcoin Facts You Should Know

 

I live and breathe making an income online. 

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