eToro will not let you trade freely or withdraw funds until your identity has been verified, and there is no unverified tier you can sit in while you decide. Verification is a mandatory part of registering: eToro says regulatory requirements dictate that it verifies every new account, which keeps the platform secure and prevents suspicious activity.
The essentials are a proof of identity, a recently issued proof of address, a verified phone number and, depending on your country, a tax identification number. This guide covers which documents eToro actually accepts, how the review process runs, the mistakes that get submissions rejected, and what happens if you put verification off.
Key Takeaways
- Verification is mandatory. eToro has no unverified trading tier.
- You need a proof of identity and a proof of address, and eToro only starts its review after you have provided both documents.
- Your proof of address must be dated within the last three months; older documents get rejected.
- Your phone number is verified by SMS code, and eToro’s Academy adds that you will need a tax ID number.
- Review may take up to several days, and a green checkmark appears next to your username once you are verified.
- Unverified accounts face trading restrictions, blocked withdrawals and, eventually, possible account closure.
What eToro KYC Requires
eToro operates as a regulated multi-asset broker, which means it follows standard financial-industry KYC rules rather than the lighter-touch verification some crypto-native exchanges use. On its account verification page, eToro explains that you must upload a proof of identity (POI) and a proof of address (POA), and that the verification process only begins once it has both. Uploading a passport alone and waiting will get you nowhere.
This is a heavier requirement than KuCoin’s KYC, which asks for a photo ID and a face check but no proof of address. eToro’s broker status means there is no lighter entry tier.
Proof of identity
A passport is preferred since it is the fastest for eToro’s team to process, and a driving license or other government-issued ID works too. For US customers, eToro’s verification page lists a valid, unexpired US passport, driver’s license or state ID. Whatever you submit needs to clearly show your full name, date of birth, a legible photograph, the issue date and the expiry date — and eToro asks for the full document in the frame, uncropped and in focus.
Proof of address
Your proof of address must show your full name, your current address and the name or logo of the issuer, with an issue date no older than three months. eToro accepts any of the following:
- Bank statement or credit card statement
- Electricity, water or gas bill
- Council tax bill, tax letter or tax bill
- Official house rental agreement issued from a rental agent
- Letter from your employer
- Letter from your local municipality
- Phone bill or internet bill
Screenshots are accepted when the document is digital, such as an online bank statement. For physical documents, eToro asks you to scan the document flat against a contrasting background so that all four corners are visible, without cropping. Blurry or cropped images are a common cause of rejection, so presentation matters as much as the document itself.
Tax ID and phone number
eToro’s Academy video on getting verified adds another item: your tax identification number, the number used to handle your taxes. The format differs in every country, and eToro publishes a list of countries and their tax ID formats on its website. Your phone number is confirmed separately by SMS code, which eToro calls part of the mandatory account verification process.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Passport (preferred), driving license or other government ID; eToro’s US page lists a valid, unexpired US passport, driver’s license or state ID |
| Proof of address | Bank or credit card statement, utility bill, tax letter or similar, dated within the last three months |
| Tax ID number | Required per eToro’s Academy; format depends on your country |
| Phone number | Verified by SMS code |
| Processing | May take up to several days, with a notification once verified |
Extra Checks for US Accounts
eToro’s US verification page carries a USA PATRIOT Act notice. To help the US government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information identifying each person who opens an account or transmits funds through a US financial institution. In practice, eToro may collect your name, date of birth, physical address and an identification number. For US citizens that means a taxpayer identification number — your Social Security number. Non-US citizens may be asked for a taxpayer identification number, a passport number and country of issue, an alien identification card number, or a government-issued ID showing nationality, residence and a photograph. You may also need to show your driver’s license or other identifying documents, and in certain circumstances eToro may verify information for anyone authorised to transact on an account or for beneficial owners of certain entities.
How to Verify Your eToro Account
- Open the verification area. Log in to eToro and go to the verification section of your account settings. eToro’s help centre describes the Verification Centre as the section in your account where you can view your verification status and manage any required documents.
- Upload your proof of identity, then your proof of address. Both need to be clear, unedited photos or scans, and you can upload documents directly through the eToro app.
- Wait for the review. It begins only once both documents are in, and eToro says it may take up to several days.
- Look for the confirmation. eToro notifies you as soon as verification is complete, and verified accounts show a green checkmark next to the username on the profile. You can also follow your status on the platform while you wait.
eToro’s team reviews documents and updates your verification status on its own, so there is no need to open a customer service ticket to ask how it is going. If a document is rejected, eToro sends an email with a clear explanation of what you need to provide instead, and it recommends adding eToro to the safe-sender list in your email settings so you do not miss the notification.
Also expect that eToro can request additional documentation at any point, even after initial approval, in line with its ongoing regulatory obligations. That is normal for a regulated broker and does not by itself mean anything is wrong with your account.
What Verification Unlocks
Once your account is verified, eToro says you get the full benefits of its main investing app as well as the eToro Options mobile app, and the same eToro account works for both platforms. Verification is the last gate between filling out the sign-up forms and actually using the product.
Why Verifications Get Rejected
The common causes are mundane:
- Blurry or cropped images. eToro wants the full document, in focus, with every detail legible.
- An out-of-date proof of address. If the issue date falls outside eToro’s window, the document gets rejected — upload something newer rather than arguing.
- A name or address mismatch. The personal details you typed during sign-up have to match what is printed on your documents. If they differ, expect a rejection email asking you to fix it.
Because eToro emails the reason for every rejection, a failed attempt is rarely a dead end: fix the specific problem it names and resubmit.
What Happens If You Don’t Verify
Unverified accounts face real restrictions: limits on trading, blocked withdrawals and, in some cases, account closure if verification is never completed. Unlike crypto-native exchanges, where you might trade for a while before hitting a withdrawal ceiling, eToro pushes verification early because it is baked into its regulatory obligations as a broker — not an optional step you can defer indefinitely.
Coincub’s eToro review reflects the same picture from the user side. It notes that KYC verification is required for compliance, and its user-feedback section reports complaints that the verification process can feel complex and time-consuming, along with accounts closed under strict verification protocols without detailed explanations, and withdrawal delays tied to unclear documentation requirements. Submitting clean, matching documents at the start is the simplest way to stay out of that group.
Does KYC Affect eToro’s Fees?
No. Verification is a gate to using the platform at all, not a lever on cost. There is no fee discount tied to verification level, and crypto fees are the same for every verified account at the same Club tier. For reference, Coincub’s review lists eToro’s cryptocurrency trading fee at 1% per transaction.
Before You Start: eToro’s Sign-Up Checklist
eToro’s help pages list what you need before you can apply for an account: to meet its minimum-age requirement and to live in a country where eToro offers its services — it asks for proof of both — plus a computer or smartphone with an internet connection and a valid phone number connected to your smartphone.
After that, sign-up runs in a set order:
- Create the account with a username, email address and password, or sign up with a Google or Facebook account.
- Verify your email address through the link eToro sends.
- Add your personal information. It has to match your proof of identity, and the address has to match your proof of address.
- Enter your place of birth and country of citizenship. You may be asked for an ID number.
- Complete the investment knowledge questions.
- Verify your phone number by SMS code.
- Upload your proof of identity and proof of address.
Getting the details right at the personal-information step saves the most time later, since the matching rule against your documents is the one that trips people up.
The Bottom Line
eToro’s KYC is standard regulated-broker procedure: a proof of identity, a proof of address issued within the last three months, a phone number confirmed by SMS and, in many countries, a tax ID. The review starts once both documents are in, may take up to several days, and the platform tells you exactly what to fix if something is rejected. Treat the document upload as part of sign-up rather than an afterthought and the green checkmark usually follows without drama.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents does eToro require for KYC?
A proof of identity — passport preferred, or a driving license or other government ID — and a proof of address dated within the last three months. You also verify your phone number by SMS code, and eToro’s Academy says you will need your tax ID number.
Can I trade on eToro without verifying?
Not for long. eToro has no unverified tier, and unverified accounts face trading restrictions and blocked withdrawals until verification is complete.
How long does eToro verification take?
eToro says the review may take up to several days once both documents are uploaded. You are notified as soon as it is complete, and a green checkmark appears next to your username.
Why was my eToro verification rejected?
Usually blurry or cropped document photos, an out-of-date proof of address, or a mismatch between the details you typed and what your documents show. eToro emails an explanation of what to provide instead.
Does verification level change eToro’s fees?
No. Verification does not trigger a fee discount. Crypto fees are the same for every verified account at the same Club tier.
