Highest Leverage Forex Broker UK

Q: What is the maximum leverage allowed in the UK?

Retail traders are capped at 1:30. Professional clients can access up to 1:500, depending on the broker.

Q: How can I qualify for high leverage in the UK?

You must apply for professional classification and meet at least 2 of the FCA’s 3 eligibility criteria.

Q: Which UK forex broker offers 1:500 leverage?

Pepperstone UK offers up to 1:500 leverage for professional clients.

Q: Do I lose protection if I become a pro client?

Yes. Professional accounts do not have FSCS protection or negative balance protection.

In the UK, the highest leverage forex broker for retail clients is legally limited to 1:30 under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). However, traders who qualify as professional clients can access much higher leverage — often up to 1:500 — depending on the broker’s risk assessment and classification rules.

This guide explores the highest leverage options available to both retail and professional traders in the UK, while remaining compliant with FCA regulations.

FCA Leverage Rules for UK Forex Traders

Retail Client Leverage Caps

1:30 on major currency pairs
1:20 on minors, gold
1:10 on indices, commodities
1:2 on crypto CFDs

Professional Clients Can Access:

Up to 1:500 leverage
No negative balance protection
No FSCS claims
Must meet 2 of 3 FCA criteria (explained below)

FCA Professional Client Criteria

You must meet 2 out of 3:

Trading Volume: At least 10 significant trades per quarter over the last year
Portfolio Size: Over €500,000 in financial instruments
Experience: At least one year in a professional financial role

Best High Leverage Forex Brokers in the UK (2025)

1. Pepperstone UK – Up to 1:500 (Pro), 1:30 (Retail)

FCA Licence: FRN 684312
Platform: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Leverage: 1:30 retail, 1:500 professional
Spreads: From 0.0 pips (Razor account)
Best For: Experienced traders seeking ultra-tight ECN spreads

2. Intertrader – Up to 1:200 (Pro), 1:30 (Retail)

FCA Licence: FRN 597312
Platform: MT4, WebTrader
Leverage: 1:30 retail, 1:200 professional
Spreads: Fixed from 0.6 pips
Best For: UK-based pro traders who prefer tax-free spread betting

3. Markets.com UK – Up to 1:300 (Pro), 1:30 (Retail)

FCA Licence: FRN 509562
Platform: Marketsx, MT4, MT5
Leverage: 1:30 retail, up to 1:300 pro
Spreads: From 0.6 pips
Best For: Multi-asset traders with pro status

4. IG Markets – Up to 1:222 (Pro), 1:30 (Retail)

FCA Licence: FRN 195355
Platform: IG platform, MT4
Leverage: 1:30 retail, up to 1:222 pro
Spreads: From 0.6 pips
Best For: Institutional-style execution and macro research

5. CMC Markets – Up to 1:200 (Pro), 1:30 (Retail)

FCA Licence: FRN 173730
Platform: Next Generation, MT4
Leverage: 1:30 retail, 1:200 pro
Spreads: From 0.7 pips
Best For: Advanced traders in the UK looking for low latency and charting tools

Broker Comparison Table

Broker	FCA Regulated	Retail Leverage	Pro Leverage	Best For
Pepperstone UK	✅	1:30	1:500	ECN spreads, scalping, EAs
Intertrader	✅	1:30	1:200	Spread betting with FCA safety
Markets.com	✅	1:30	1:300	CFD trading, pro user tools
IG Markets	✅	1:30	1:222	Institutional-grade access
CMC Markets	✅	1:30	1:200	Advanced charting, global assets

How to Apply for a Professional Account (UK)

Complete your broker’s Pro Client Application
Submit proof of trading history or professional experience
Provide portfolio documentation (bank/broker statements)
Acknowledge loss of retail protections
If approved, you’ll gain access to higher leverage tiers

Important Considerations

Retail traders are legally restricted to 1:30
To go higher, you must qualify and be reclassified
Professional traders lose FSCS protection and negative balance protection
High leverage increases risk of rapid loss — use stop-loss tools and strong risk management

Key Takeaways

FCA brokers offer up to 1:30 leverage for retail and up to 1:500 for professional clients
Pepperstone UK provides the highest leverage (1:500) for qualified pro traders
Intertrader and Markets.com also support pro leverage up to 1:200–1:300
Applying for pro status requires financial experience or portfolio documentation
Always understand the risks of high leverage before upgrading your account

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum leverage allowed in the UK?

Retail traders are capped at 1:30. Professional clients can access up to 1:500, depending on the broker.

How can I qualify for high leverage in the UK?

You must apply for professional classification and meet at least 2 of the FCA’s 3 eligibility criteria.

Which UK forex broker offers 1:500 leverage?

Pepperstone UK offers up to 1:500 leverage for professional clients.

Is it safe to use high leverage?

Only if you have strong risk management. High leverage magnifies both gains and losses.

Do I lose protection if I become a pro client?

Yes. Professional accounts do not have FSCS protection or negative balance protection.

Highest Leverage Forex Broker UK