XM Inactivity Fee 2026: What It Is, When It Triggers & How to Avoid It
The XM inactivity fee is one of the most frequently missed charges in broker terms — it doesn't show up in spread or commission comparisons, but it silently drains accounts that sit idle too long. This page explains exactly how it works, when it triggers, and the simple steps that prevent it from ever applying to your account.
Quick Facts — XM Inactivity Fee
- Amount: $5 per month (or currency equivalent)
- Trigger: 90 consecutive days of no account activity
- Activity that resets the counter: trade opened or closed, deposit, withdrawal, internal transfer
- Deducted monthly until balance reaches zero or account becomes active
- At zero balance: fee stops but account is permanently deactivated
- Applies to real accounts only — not demo accounts
- JustMarkets threshold is longer (150 days) for comparison
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How the XM Inactivity Fee Works — Step by Step
XM defines account inactivity as no qualifying activity for 90 consecutive calendar days. Once that threshold is passed, XM begins deducting $5 (or the currency equivalent in your account's base currency) once per calendar month.
| Day | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1–89 | Account idle but no fee yet |
| Day 90 | Account classified as inactive — fee clock starts |
| First month-end after Day 90 | $5 deducted from account balance |
| Each following month-end | Another $5 deducted if still inactive |
| Balance reaches $0 | Fee stops. Account permanently deactivated. |
| Any qualifying activity before $0 | 90-day counter resets. Fee collection stops. |
What Counts as Activity (Resets the 90-Day Counter)
XM counts any of the following as activity that resets the inactivity clock to zero:
- Opening a new trade — any instrument, any size, even 0.01 lot on a demo-funded account. The position doesn't need to be closed.
- Closing an existing trade — manually closing any open position
- Making a deposit — any amount, via any method
- Making a withdrawal — any amount
- Completing an internal transfer — moving funds between your own XM accounts
How to Avoid the XM Inactivity Fee — Practical Methods
| Method | How Often | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Place 1 micro-trade (0.01 lot) then close it | Every ~85 days | Minimal |
| Internal transfer between XM accounts | Every ~85 days | Minimal — no trading needed |
| Make a small deposit | Every ~85 days | Requires payment step |
| Set a calendar reminder for Day 80 | One-time setup | Works for any method above |
Should You Withdraw Before Going Inactive?
If you know you won't trade for an extended period, the cleanest option is to withdraw your full balance to zero before the 90-day mark. This avoids the fee entirely — an account with a zero balance has nothing to deduct from, so the inactivity fee has no effect.
If you plan to come back and want the funds available quickly, withdrawing and redepositing later involves slightly more friction than the internal transfer method above. Choose based on your expected return timeline.
XM Inactivity Fee vs Other Brokers
| Broker | Inactivity Threshold | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|
| XM | 90 days | $5/month |
| JustMarkets | 150 days | Per policy |
| Exness | No inactivity fee | None |
Exness stands out here for not charging an inactivity fee at all — a meaningful advantage if you trade infrequently or hold swing positions across long quiet periods.
Frequently Asked Questions — XM Inactivity Fee
One Calendar Reminder Solves This Permanently
Set a recurring calendar event every 80 days labeled "XM account activity" — pick any qualifying action: a micro trade, a tiny internal transfer, or a minimal deposit. That 5-minute action every 80 days keeps any number of XM accounts from ever triggering the fee.
Free registration · No deposit or withdrawal fees from XM
