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What are etf platforms?
What is an ETF?
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a single investment that holds a basket of assets, typically stocks or bonds. Instead of buying 1,500 individual stocks to get global diversification, you buy one share of a World ETF and instantly own a piece of all of them. ETFs trade on stock exchanges just like regular shares, meaning you can buy and sell them throughout the day.
ETFs have become the most popular investment vehicle in Europe for good reason. They offer instant diversification, extremely low fees (often just 0.07-0.25% per year), and complete transparency about what you own. Major ETF providers like iShares (BlackRock), Vanguard, and Amundi offer thousands of ETFs covering every market, sector, and asset class imaginable.
Why ETFs are popular with European investors
The European ETF market has exploded in recent years, with assets under management surpassing €2 trillion. The combination of near-zero trading fees on platforms like Trade Republic, tax-efficient accumulating fund structures, and the simplicity of "buy one thing and forget about it" has made ETFs the default choice for new investors. Financial advisors and robo-advisors overwhelmingly recommend ETFs as the core building block of any portfolio.
ETFs vs mutual funds
Traditional mutual funds charge 1-2% annually and are managed by a fund manager who picks stocks. ETFs typically charge 0.07-0.50% and simply track an index (like the MSCI World or S&P 500). Research consistently shows that most fund managers fail to beat the index after fees, making low-cost ETFs the rational choice for most investors. Warren Buffett himself recommends index funds for most people.
Frequently asked questions
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a basket of stocks or bonds that you can buy with a single trade. For example, an MSCI World ETF holds over 1,500 stocks from 23 countries. When you buy one share of this ETF, you instantly own a tiny piece of all those companies. ETFs trade on stock exchanges just like regular shares.
Free savings plans (Sparplannen) are the cheapest option. Trade Republic, Scalable Capital, and DEGIRO offer free monthly ETF savings plans. You set an amount (e.g. €200/month) and the platform automatically buys ETF shares for you with no execution fee.
Most financial experts recommend starting with a single global ETF like the Vanguard FTSE All-World (VWCE) or iShares MSCI ACWI. These give you exposure to over 3,000 stocks worldwide with a single purchase. The annual cost (TER) is typically 0.20-0.25%.
Historically, lump sum investing beats monthly investing about 66% of the time because markets tend to go up over time. However, monthly investing (euro-cost averaging) reduces the risk of investing at a market peak and is psychologically easier. For most people, a monthly savings plan is the best approach.
Tax treatment varies by country. In the Netherlands, ETF dividends are subject to dividend withholding tax, but this is offset by the box 3 wealth tax system. Accumulating ETFs (which reinvest dividends automatically) are generally more tax-efficient in most European countries than distributing ETFs.
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