from our Buying Bitcoin Series

How to Buy Your First Bitcoin: A Step-by-Step Guide Using Bitvavo

If you’re in Europe and looking for a beginner-friendly, low-fee crypto exchange, Bitvavo is a fantastic option. Based in the Netherlands and fully regulated, Bitvavo combines simplicity with competitive rates — making it ideal for buying your first Bitcoin.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to buy Bitcoin (BTC) using Bitvavo, step by step.

Bitvavo has quickly grown into one of the most popular crypto exchanges in the EU, especially in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It’s known for its intuitive interface, transparent fees, and support for bank-friendly payment methods.

Why Bitvavo?

✅✅ Registered with De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) for extra security

✅ Low trading fees (0.25% or less) — some of the lowest in Europe

✅ Beginner-friendly design with a clean user interface

✅ Supports SEPA, iDEAL, Bancontact, and credit card payments

✅ Dutch and English customer support

✅ Over 200 cryptocurrencies available to trade

Step 1

Create a Bitvavo Account.

Go to www.bitvavo.com.
Click Register and enter your name, email, and a secure password.
Verify your email address.
Complete KYC verification by uploading an ID and proof of address (if requested).
Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for added account security.

💡 Security Tip: Use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator) for safer 2FA than SMS.

Step 2

Deposit Funds

To buy Bitcoin, first deposit euros (EUR) into your Bitvavo account. Bitvavo supports:

iDEAL – Instant and free (Netherlands)
SEPA bank transfer – 1–2 business days
Bancontact – For Belgian users
Credit or debit card – Instant, but may include fees
Giropay / Sofort / EPS – Available in selected countries

💡 Good-to-Know: SEPA and iDEAL are the cheapest methods.

Step 3

Buy Bitcoin (BTC)

Once your funds are in:

Go to the Dashboard or click on Bitcoin (BTC) in the crypto list.
Choose Buy.
Enter the amount you want to spend (e.g., €50).
Select your payment method or use your EUR balance.
Click Buy Bitcoin and confirm the transaction.

✅ That’s it — your BTC will appear in your Bitvavo wallet almost instantly.

Step 4

Store Your Bitcoin Safely

Bitvavo offers secure custodial wallets by default, but for extra security you can:

Transfer your BTC to a hardware wallet (like Ledger or Trezor)
Export to a self-custody wallet (e.g., Exodus or Trust Wallet)
Enable wallet address whitelisting for added withdrawal safety

💡 Security Tip: Always keep your private keys and backup phrases secure and offline.

Bonus Features to Explore

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, Bitvavo also offers:

Recurring buys (automated DCA strategy)
Staking options to earn passive income on select coins
Advanced trading view for experienced users
A clean mobile app for managing your crypto on the go.

You can also set price alerts to track BTC market movements.

💡 Good-to-Know: Buying Bitcoin on Bitvavo is fast, easy, and affordable — especially if you’re based in the EU. With strong security, local payment support, and an easy-to-use platform, Bitvavo is a great choice for new crypto investors in 2025.