02 August 2026

How to verify a broker's BaFin authorization using Germany's public register

Verifying Broker Authorisation in Germany

When evaluating a broker operating in Germany, one of the most important first steps is confirming that it holds valid regulatory authorisation from BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht), the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority.

Unlike marketing claims or third-party reviews, this verification relies on a single source of truth: BaFin's official website provides financial regulatory information, policy documents, and a database of financial institutions. This public register is the authoritative record of which entities are and are not licensed to conduct investment services in Germany.

Why This Matters

The provision of financial services in Germany generally requires prior authorisation from BaFin, and the type, scope and procedural requirements of such authorisation depend on the specific business model. Securities institutions that offer investment services such as investment advice or proprietary trading require a permit from BaFin under Section 15 of the German Investment Firm Act (WpIG).

Breaches of this requirement carry serious consequences. Even for companies without a permanent establishment or employees in Germany, the provision of regulated financial services to customers in Germany without the required license may trigger severe consequences.

How to Search the BaFin Register

To confirm a broker's license on the BaFin website, it is preferable to have the license number, but searching by the broker's legal name also works. You can visit the official website of BaFin, which provides financial regulatory information, policy documents, and a database of financial institutions.

Investors can access financial institutions' information through BaFin's official database, including authorization status, license information, and business scope. If a company obtains BaFin authorization, its name will appear in the database, and clicking on a company name will display detailed regulatory information.

What the Register Reveals

When you locate a broker in the register, you can verify:

Authorization status: Whether the licence is currently active, expired, or suspended
Scope of authorised activities: Which specific investment services the entity is permitted to conduct
License issue and expiry dates: When the authorization was granted and when it expires or expired

A broker's license may remain valid, but violations may be a red flag for traders. BaFin's 'Consumers' section allows clients to file complaints, find information about warnings, and discover common fraud schemes.

The Broader Context

This independent verification process is what systematic broker evaluation relies on. Rather than trusting subjective opinions or unverified claims, informed analysis starts with official public data. Identifying regulated brokers involves scanning databases to identify those who claim regulation by BaFin, then running company credentials through the public register to verify they were authorized.

BaFin has its regulatory framework and guidelines designed in agreement with the MiFID derivative, ensuring that authorised brokers comply with EU investor protection standards applicable across the European market.

Taking the time to verify a broker's status directly through official sources is the foundation of sound due diligence—regardless of what any review or evaluation platform claims.

Sources

Analysis, not investment advice.

General education, not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security or use any specific broker.