How to avoid fees on Kraken: SEPA + Kraken Pro
To pay the lowest possible fees on Kraken, two habits are enough: deposit by SEPA transfer (free) rather than by card (about 3%), and place your orders through the Kraken Pro interface (0.16%-0.26%) instead of instant buy. That cuts your fees by more than 90%.
Why do Kraken's fees vary so much?
On Kraken, two users can pay very different fees for the same purchase, depending on the deposit method and the buying method they choose. The good news: the two most effective levers are free or almost free to enable.
Should you deposit by card or by SEPA transfer?
Always by SEPA transfer. The euro SEPA deposit is free at Kraken, whereas buying by card costs about 3% of the amount. On a €205 deposit, that already means about €6 in savings, enough to cover several of your first orders.
It is also a condition of the referral programme: to aim for the Kraken bonus of up to €250, the deposit must be made by transfer, not by card.
How do you use Kraken Pro to pay less in fees?
Kraken Pro is a free app, separate from the standard Kraken app. Once your Kraken account is created, simply install the Kraken Pro app and log in with that same account. Its fees run 0.16%-0.26% per order depending on your 30-day volume, versus a much higher cost for 'one-click' instant buy.
- Install the Kraken Pro app and log in with your Kraken credentials.
- Choose the pair, for example BTC/EUR.
- Place a market order (immediate) or a limit order (you set the price).
- Check the fees shown before confirming: they are far lower than with instant buy.
Fees and bonus: the net-volume trap
If you're after the referral bonus, remember that fees do not count towards the required purchase volume (€200 of crypto, excluding stablecoins). So deposit a little more (about €205) so that fees don't push your net volume below the threshold.
How much can you save in total?
By combining the free SEPA transfer with purchases via Kraken Pro rather than card + instant buy, you cut your total fees by more than 90% on a typical first purchase. The only 'cost' is a few minutes to install and get to grips with the Kraken Pro app, an investment that quickly pays off.
To go further, read our full Kraken review or check the terms of the Kraken referral code directly.
Ready to open a Kraken account? Find the verified referral code and all the bonus terms.
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