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U.S. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for International Investors

  • Strengthen the foundation of your portfolio with 22 low-cost Schwab ETFs.
  • Broaden your exposure with 2,000+ ETFs across a range of asset classes and fund companies.
  • All listed ETFs traded on U.S. exchanges are US$0 per trade online.1
  • European-domiciled UCITS ETFs are available for residents of the European Economic Area (EEA).

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a smart, flexible way to invest. At Schwab International, you'll find a wide selection of U.S. ETF investments from low-cost Schwab ETFs to thousands of funds across the market. Whether you're new to ETF investing or building an ETF portfolio, our tools and support can help you pursue your financial goals.

What are ETFs?

An ETF, or exchange-traded fund, is a type of investment fund that holds a collection of assets, such as stocks or bonds, and trades on a stock exchange throughout the day, just like a stock.

When you invest in an ETF, you're buying a slice of a professionally managed portfolio that may contain hundreds or even thousands of securities.

Get access to our U.S. ETF investment expertise

With so many to choose from, deciding which ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are right for you may seem overwhelming. But, based on your goals and how you like to invest, we'll help you find the ones that best meet your needs.

We offer multiple ways to put together an ETF portfolio, including the research and powerful tools to do it yourself as well as the free Personalized Portfolio Builder tool.

Research and compare ETFs.

At Schwab, we provide the help you need to build a portfolio that fits your U.S. ETF investment strategy.

  • ETF Select List®

    With its list of low-cost ETFs, expert-picked and prescreened from nearly 74 categories, this tool helps you narrow your choices and make more confident investing decisions.

  • Fund Finder

    This robust tool lets you evaluate ETFs or mutual funds side-by-side, streamlining the selection process and helping you make better-informed investment decisions.

  • ETF screeners

    Schwab screeners let you review category-specific, predefined screens, or create custom screens to help you zero-in on ETFs that are right for you.

Get help building a diversified portfolio.

Create a personalized ETF portfolio with the free Schwab Personalized Portfolio Builder tool.

  • Determine your fund preference, risk profile, and initial investment.
  • Choose from ETFs.
  • No minimum investment required.
  • Great for investors who may not have the time or interest to focus on portfolio building.
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Alternatives to U.S. ETFs.*

Schwab International clients in certain jurisdictions may no longer be eligible to purchase U.S.-registered ETFs. As an alternative, Schwab offers ETFs that have been authorized as Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) in the European Union. These funds meet relevant E.U. requirements and offer investment strategies similar to those of their U.S. counterparts.

Non-U.S. ETFs can be traded with the help of a Schwab Global Investing specialist and are subject to foreign transaction fees. Visit our pricing page for more information on the costs of trading non-U.S. ETFs. Investors are subject to eligibility requirements.

For more information about non-U.S. ETFs, please contact us.

How to invest in U.S. ETFs with Schwab International

Getting started with U.S. ETF investing at Schwab takes just a few steps. First, open a Schwab International brokerage account online. Once your account is set up and funded, you can browse more than 3,000 exchange-traded funds.

Now you have even more ways to trade around the clock.

Trade on your terms with 24/5 access to over 1,100 of the most popular stocks and ETFs—now including the entire S&P500, NASDAQ 100, and more.

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Start investing in the U.S. markets today.

Have more questions? We're here to help.