What happens when Interactive Brokers margin-calls you
Leverage is not what ruins an account — the forced sale at the bottom is. This page records what Interactive Brokers is contractually allowed to do to your positions, taken from the document Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited (Ireland, Central Bank of Ireland C423427) publishes, not from marketing copy.
Who and what this policy covers
Applies to Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, registered with the Central Bank of Ireland under number C423427. The clause quoted below is IBIE's general margin-liquidation rule for account positions. Interactive Brokers LLC (US) and Interactive Brokers U.K. Limited are separate entities with their own client agreements and protections; these terms are not theirs.
“IBIE generally will not issue margin calls and will not allow a grace period in the Client's account for the Client to meet intraday or other margin deficiencies. The Client acknowledges that it is authorised to liquidate account positions immediately in order to satisfy Margin Requirements without prior notice.”
Does Interactive Brokers warn you before closing your positions?
No. Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited (Ireland, Central Bank of Ireland C423427) liquidates positions in real time once the account falls short, without a margin call and without giving you a chance to add funds or choose what gets sold.
Can you lose more than you deposited with Interactive Brokers?
Yes. Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited (Ireland, Central Bank of Ireland C423427) does not provide negative balance protection, so a gap through your stop can leave you owing the broker money.
One qualification: IBIE does publish negative balance protection, but its Customer Agreement grants it only to CFD positions and only to clients classified as retail — the document states in capitals that a client not classified as retail is not eligible for it. Margin lending against real securities is not covered.
Verified 2026-08-31 · Source document
Frequently asked questions
Does Interactive Brokers warn you before closing your positions?
Can you lose more than you deposited with Interactive Brokers?
How we verified this review
Every fact below is verified against primary sources. We refresh on a schedule and on reader feedback.