Skilling Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
Skilling is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2016. It holds a CySEC licence under number 357/18.
The basics
Skilling was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 1,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. Real stock ownership is available in addition to CFDs.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Instruments | 1,000+ |
| Platforms | Skilling Trader, cTrader, MT4 |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | Yes |
Is Skilling safe?
CySEC-regulated brokers must keep client funds segregated, provide negative balance protection under ESMA rules, and contribute to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which covers up to €20,000 per client.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| CySEC | 357/18 ✓ | Skilling Ltd |
| FSA | SD042 ✓ | Skilling Ltd (SC) |
You can verify the CySEC licence at www.cysec.gov.cy. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
Skilling spreads
These are the typical spreads on Skilling's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.7 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.0 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.8 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 22c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
Skilling's EUR/USD spread of 0.7 pips pips is competitive for a retail broker without a per-trade commission.
Skilling withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. Skilling does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
Skilling minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which Skilling entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilling Ltd | CySEC 357/18 | $100 | 1:30 |
| Skilling Ltd (SC) | FSA SD042 | $100 | 1:500 |
Skilling vs eToro
| Skilling | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC 357/18 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.7 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 1,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. Skilling suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| CySEC | 357/18 — Skilling Ltd |
| FSA | SD042 — Skilling Ltd (SC) |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:500, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- CySEC regulated — Skilling Ltd
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Real stock ownership available
What does not work
- No copy trading
- Inactivity fee: $10/month after 12 months
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
Skilling is a legitimate, regulated broker. The CySEC licence number 357/18 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Skilling
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Frequently asked questions
Is Skilling safe?
CySEC-regulated brokers must keep client funds segregated, provide negative balance protection under ESMA rules, and contribute to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which covers up to €20,000 per client. Skilling holds CySEC licence 357/18, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the Skilling minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $100. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the Skilling EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on Skilling standard accounts is typically 0.7 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does Skilling take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does Skilling charge withdrawal fees?
None. Skilling does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Skilling have MetaTrader?
Yes. Skilling supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.