EURUSD Trading Guide (2026): Spreads, Hours and Market Drivers
BY TIOmarkets
|March 7, 2026EURUSD is the most widely traded currency pair in the forex market. It represents the exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar, two of the world's largest reserve currencies, and accounts for a significant share of global daily forex volume.
At TIOmarkets, you can trade EURUSD on MT4 or MT5 with variable spreads, a 1% margin requirement, and leverage available up to unlimited on the Standard account.
This guide covers the EURUSD contract specifications, what drives the pair, trading hours, account types, costs, and how to place your first trade.
What Is EURUSD?
EURUSD is the symbol for the euro quoted against the US dollar. In forex notation, the first currency in the pair is the base currency and the second is the quote currency. When you trade EURUSD, you are speculating on how many US dollars one euro will buy.
If the EURUSD rate rises, the euro is strengthening against the dollar. If the rate falls, the euro is weakening. When you go long EURUSD, you are simultaneously buying euros and selling US dollars. When you go short, you are selling euros and buying US dollars.
EURUSD is considered a major currency pair. It typically offers tight spreads, deep liquidity, and active trading across all three major forex sessions: London, New York, and the overlap between them. The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week, and TIOmarkets cites an average daily trading volume of $7.5 trillion across the global forex market.
EURUSD Contract Specifications
One standard lot of EURUSD equals EUR 100,000. The minimum trade volume is 0.01 lots, which equals EUR 1,000. The contract type is spot. The MT4 symbol is EURUSDz and the MT5 symbol is EURUSD.
The margin requirement for EURUSD is 1%, meaning you are required to hold at least 1% of the total position value as margin in your account. On a standard lot of EUR 100,000, for example, the minimum margin required would be EUR 1,000 at the instrument level. All margin and leverage conditions are subject to change depending on market conditions and applicable regulatory requirements.
Spreads on EURUSD are floating and variable. As with all variable spreads, they are typically higher than minimum figures shown and can widen during periods of market volatility or around significant news events such as central bank decisions and major economic data releases.
For overnight swap rates and the most current contract details, check the instrument specification inside the MT4 or MT5 platform. Right-click the EURUSD (or EURUSDz on MT4) symbol in the market watch window and select specifications.
EURUSD Trading Hours
EURUSD trading at TIOmarkets is available on the following schedule:
Monday through Thursday: 00:00 to 24:00 Friday: 00:00 to 23:55 Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed
All times are server time. EURUSD is available for the full trading week from the Monday open through to the Friday close. The pair is most actively traded during the London session and the London-New York overlap, when liquidity is typically at its highest and spreads are often at their tightest.
What Drives the EURUSD Exchange Rate?
EURUSD is influenced by the relative economic and monetary conditions of the eurozone and the United States. Understanding these drivers is central to forming a view on the pair.
Interest rate differentials. The most significant driver of EURUSD over time is the difference in interest rates set by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the US Federal Reserve (the Fed). When the Fed raises rates relative to the ECB, the dollar tends to strengthen and EURUSD falls. When the ECB raises rates relative to the Fed, the euro tends to strengthen and EURUSD rises.
Economic data. Macroeconomic data from both the eurozone and the US directly affects EURUSD. Key releases include GDP growth figures, inflation data (CPI), employment reports (particularly the US Non-Farm Payrolls), retail sales, and manufacturing indices. Data that surprises to the upside for the eurozone tends to support EURUSD; data that surprises to the upside for the US tends to weigh on it.
Central bank communications. Statements, press conferences, and forward guidance from the ECB and the Fed can move EURUSD significantly, even in the absence of an actual rate change. Markets price in expected future rate paths, so shifts in language or tone can trigger substantial moves.
Political and geopolitical risk. Political uncertainty in the eurozone, including elections, fiscal policy disputes, and broader geopolitical developments, can affect the euro. The US dollar often benefits from safe haven flows during periods of global uncertainty, which can put downward pressure on EURUSD.
Trade and current account balances. The trade relationship between the eurozone and the United States, and each region's current account position, can influence the underlying demand for each currency over longer time horizons.
Risk sentiment. EURUSD has a tendency to rise in risk-on environments and fall during periods of broad risk aversion, when demand for US dollars as a safe haven asset increases. Equity market conditions and global growth expectations can therefore have an indirect effect on the pair.
How to Trade EURUSD: Going Long and Short
When you trade EURUSD as a spot CFD, you can take a position in either direction.
If you believe the euro will strengthen against the US dollar, you buy EURUSD (go long). If you believe the euro will weaken, you sell EURUSD (go short). This means you can potentially benefit from both rising and falling exchange rates, though losses are also possible in either direction.
Your profit or loss is determined by the number of pips the price moves in your favour or against you, multiplied by the size of your position in lots. Because forex CFDs involve leverage, both profits and losses are amplified relative to your margin deposit. Leverage increases the speed at which gains or losses can accumulate.
Orders are executed at the best available market price, which may result in positive or negative slippage.
Account Types for Trading EURUSD
TIOmarkets offers four account types that support EURUSD trading. Each has a different cost structure suited to different trading styles.
The Standard account offers spreads from 1.1 pips with zero commission. Minimum deposit amounts are: USD $20, EUR €20, GBP £20, AUD A$20, CAD C$30, ZAR R500, AED 70. Leverage is available up to unlimited on this account, subject to change depending on market conditions and applicable regulatory requirements. MT5 is required to access the unlimited leverage feature. This account is created automatically on registration.
The Raw account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $6 per round turn lot. The minimum deposit is $250 or currency equivalent, and leverage is up to 1:500 on request, subject to change.
The VIP Black account offers spreads from 0.3 pips with zero commission. The minimum deposit is $1,000 or currency equivalent, and leverage is up to 1:500 on request, subject to change.
The Nano account offers spreads from 0.6 pips with a commission of $6 per round turn lot. The minimum deposit is $20 (USD only), the minimum trade volume is 0.001 lots, and it is available on MT5 only.
All spreads are variable and typically higher than the minimum figures shown.
Trading Costs for EURUSD
The cost of trading EURUSD consists of two components: the spread and, where applicable, the commission.
The spread is the difference between the bid and ask price and is the primary cost on the Standard and VIP Black accounts, which carry zero commission. On the Raw and Nano accounts, a commission of $6 per round turn lot also applies. This commission is charged in full when the position is opened and covers both the opening and closing of the trade.
If you hold a EURUSD position overnight, a swap charge or credit will also apply depending on the interest rate differential between the euro and the US dollar. Check the current swap rates for EURUSD inside the platform before holding positions overnight.
All prices are variable. Always check current prices inside the MT4 or MT5 platform before placing a trade.
Margin Requirements and Risk Management
All TIOmarkets accounts have a margin call level of 100%. The stop out level is 30% on most accounts. On the Standard account, the stop out level is 40% when using 1:2000 leverage. These figures are published on the TIOmarkets accounts page and are subject to change depending on market conditions and applicable regulatory requirements.
The instrument-level margin requirement for EURUSD is 1%. This means that for every $100,000 of notional position value, at least $1,000 must be held as margin at the instrument level. Account leverage settings and prevailing conditions may affect the actual margin required on any given trade.
Stop loss and take profit orders are available on both MT4 and MT5 and can be set when opening a trade or applied to an existing position. These do not guarantee execution at the exact level set in all market conditions.
How to Start Trading EURUSD with TIOmarkets
Step 1: Open an account. Register with TIOmarkets. The Standard account is created automatically on registration. Raw and VIP Black accounts can be opened separately via the client area.
Step 2: Verify your identity. Full account verification is required before you can make a withdrawal. You will need to upload proof of identity and proof of address.
Step 3: Fund your account. The minimum deposit to start trading is $20 or currency equivalent on Standard accounts, $250 on Raw, and $1,000 on VIP Black. TIOmarkets charges no deposit fee when the minimum amount is met. You have a 14-day grace period to trade before verification is required.
Step 4: Download MT4 or MT5. Both platforms are available for desktop, web, and mobile. MT5 is required for the unlimited leverage feature and for the Nano account.
Step 5: Transfer funds to your trading account. Once your deposit is confirmed, transfer funds from your TIOmarkets wallet to your MT4 or MT5 account via the client area.
Step 6: Find EURUSD and place your trade. Locate EURUSD (or EURUSDz on MT4) in the market watch window. Right-click the symbol to open a chart or go directly to a new order. Set your lot size, order type, and any stop loss or take profit levels, then execute the trade.
MT4 and MT5 for EURUSD Trading
Both MT4 and MT5 are available for trading EURUSD with TIOmarkets. The symbol is EURUSDz on MT4 and EURUSD on MT5.
MT4 supports Expert Advisors on desktop and includes a range of technical analysis tools and order types suited to forex trading. MT5 adds a multi-threaded strategy tester, a built-in economic calendar, and market depth display. MT5 is required for the Nano account and for the unlimited leverage feature.
Both platforms are available for desktop, web, and mobile devices. Web and mobile versions of both platforms support order entry and monitoring but do not support EA execution. If you trade EURUSD using an Expert Advisor, you will need the desktop version of MT4 or MT5.
Demo Account for Practising EURUSD Trades
If you want to familiarise yourself with EURUSD trading conditions before committing real funds, TIOmarkets offers a demo account with up to $50,000 in virtual funds. The demo environment allows you to practise executing trades, setting stop loss and take profit levels, and monitoring open positions.
Note that demo accounts often execute instantly and may not fully replicate live slippage conditions. Use the demo as a way to learn the platform and test your approach, but be aware that live trading results may differ.
FAQ
Risk disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Never deposit more than you are prepared to lose. Professional client’s losses can exceed their deposit. Please see our risk warning policy and seek independent professional advice if you do not fully understand. This information is not directed or intended for distribution to or use by residents of certain countries/jurisdictions including, but not limited to, USA & Countries included in the OFAC sanction list. The Company holds the right to alter the aforementioned list of countries at its own discretion.
TIOmarkets offers an exclusively execution-only service. The views expressed are for information purposes only. None of the content provided constitutes any form of investment advice. The comments are made available purely for educational and marketing purposes and do NOT constitute advice or investment recommendation (and should not be considered as such) and do not in any way constitute an invitation to acquire any financial instrument or product. TIOmarkets and its affiliates and consultants are not liable for any damages that may be caused by individual comments or statements by TIOmarkets analysis and assumes no liability with respect to the completeness and correctness of the content presented. The investor is solely responsible for the risk of his/her investment decisions. The analyses and comments presented do not include any consideration of your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. The content has not been prepared in accordance with any legal requirements for financial analysis and must, therefore, be viewed by the reader as marketing information. TIOmarkets prohibits duplication or publication without explicit approval.
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