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ETF Brokers in Germany
Geschrieben von
Janine El-Saghir
Finanzanalystin & Wirtschaftsredakteurin
Dr. Janine El-Saghir ist eine erfahrene Finanzanalystin und Wirtschaftsredakteurin, die sich darauf spezialisiert hat, komplexe Finanzthemen für Anleger verständlich aufzubereiten. Mit über 16 Jahren Erfahrung...
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.800 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 2.800 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €1 Via Lange & Schwarz Exchange. |
| Interest on cash | 2.25% Tracks
EZB-Einlagenzins (2.25%) |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 3.760 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €1 |
| Supported savings frequencies | weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 2. / 9. / 16. / 23. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 1.200 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 1.200 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €4.90 + 0.25% Via Tradegate Exchange. Maximum €69.90. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 524 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 7. / 15. / 23. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 1.850 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 1.850 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | Via Gettex. ab €500: , bis €499.99: €1. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 8.000 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly |
| Execution days per month | 6. / 14. / 21. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | Baader Bank AG |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 1.600 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 1.600 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €3.95 + 0.08% Via Frankfurt. ab 5.001 Order p.a.: €3.95 + 0.08%, von 4.001 bis 5.000 Order p.a.: €3.95 + 0.1%, von 3.001 bis 4.000 Order p.a.: €3.95 + 0.12%, von 2.001 bis 3.000 Order p.a.: €3.95 + 0.15%, von 1.001 bis 2.000 Order p.a.: €3.95 + 0.18%, von 501 bis 1.000 Order p.a.: €3.95 + 0.22%, von 26 bis 500 Order p.a.: €3.95 + 0.25%, von 1 bis 25 Order p.a.: €4.95 + 0.25%. Maximum €29. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 4.224 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 7. / 15. / 23. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | from 2,5% up to 10% p.a. |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | BNP Paribas S.A. |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 3.000 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 2.324 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | Via Gettex. ab €500: , bis €500: €0.95. |
| Interest on cash | 1.75% |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 8.046 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 5. / 10. / 15. / 22. / 28. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | Baader Bank AG |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.800 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 2.800 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free from €250, below €0.99 |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €0.99 Via Gettex. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 4.500 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €1 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 01. / 02. / 04. / 07. / 10. / 13. / 16. / 19. / 22. / 25. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | Baader Bank AG |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.100 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 2.100 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | Via Gettex. ab €500: , bis €499.99: €1. |
| Interest on cash | 1.75% |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 7.560 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 3. / 6. / 9. / 18. / 21. / 27. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | Baader Bank AG |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 470 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 470 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €9.95 Via Frankfurt. bis €1,200: €9.95, von €1,200.01 bis €2,600: €17.95, von €2,600.01 bis €5,200: €29.95, von €5,200.01 bis €12,499.99: €39.95, von €12,500 bis €24,999.99: €54.95, ab €25,000: €69.95. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | No |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €25 |
| Maximum rate | €1,000 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly |
| Execution days per month | 5. / 20. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.350 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 980 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €0.95 Via Lange & Schwarz Exchange. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | No |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €5 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 5. / 15. / 20. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.800 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 2.800 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €59.88 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free from €250, below €0.99 |
| One-time purchase (manual) | Via Gettex. ab €250: , bis €249.99: €0.99. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 4.500 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €1 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 2. / 4. / 7. / 10. / 13. / 16. / 19. / 22. / 25. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | Baader Bank AG |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 180 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 180 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | Free |
| One-time purchase (manual) | Via Tradegate Exchange. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | No |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly |
| Execution days per month | 1. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | Sutor Bank GmbH |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.000 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 480 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | €1.50 |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €10 Via Gettex. bis €5,000: €10, bis €5,000: €10, von €5,000.01 bis €20,000: €15, von €5,000.01 bis €20,000: €15, ab €20,000.01: €30, ab €20,000.01: €30. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 1.342 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 5. / 15. / 20. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.000 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 550 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €23.40 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | 1.50% |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €4.90 + 0.25% Via Xetra. Minimum €9.90. Maximum €59.90. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 1.724 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 7. / 15. / 23. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Custodian (depository bank) | Commerzbank AG |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 1.150 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 170 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | 1.50%, min. €1.50, max. €14.90 |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €4.90 + 0.25% Via Frankfurt. Minimum €9.90. Maximum €54.90. |
| Interest on cash | 2.8% |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 1.151 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly |
| Execution days per month | 5. / 20. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | up to 10% per year |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 2.400 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 0 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | 2.50%, min. €1.50, max. €3 |
| One-time purchase (manual) | 0.25% Via Xetra. Minimum €8.90. Maximum €34.90. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 85 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 15. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
| ETF product range | |
| ETF plans | 280 |
| ETF plans free of charge | 10 |
| Conditions & costs | |
| Account & custody fee | €0 p.a. |
| Savings plan execution | €2.50 + 0.25% |
| One-time purchase (manual) | €4.90 + 0.25% Via Frankfurt. Minimum €9.90. |
| Interest on cash | No |
| More savings range | |
| Stock savings plans | 155 |
| Crypto-capable plans | |
| Savings plan mechanics & flexibility | |
| Minimum rate | €0 |
| Supported savings frequencies | monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly |
| Execution days per month | 1. / 15. |
| Third-party direct debit | |
| Dynamic rate increase (inflation hedge) | |
| ETF distribution reinvestment (DRIP) For distributing ETFs, this broker automatically reinvests your dividends free of charge back into the same ETF, so you benefit fully from compound interest. | |
| Stock dividend reinvestment | |
| Account & taxation | |
| Partner & joint account | |
| Minor account | |
| Virtual sub-accounts | |
| Automatic capital gains tax This broker automatically pays all applicable taxes (capital gains tax, solidarity surcharge) directly to the German tax office. You receive an annual tax statement. | |
| Rating | |
Execution cost |
|
ETF range |
|
Convenience & plan |
|
Safety & tax |
|
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
- The table above compares the brokers on what a €100 savings-plan execution costs, how many ETFs can be saved free of charge, the custody fee, the minimum rate and whether cash on the account earns interest. Sort it by the criterion that matters to you.
- For a 20-year plan the broker’s execution fee is the smaller lever: €1.50 per month adds up to €360. The fund’s own cost (TER) is the larger one – 1.2 percentage points more cost about €21,253 of final value in the example of the ETF savings plan calculator.
- A German broker withholds capital gains tax automatically, applies your tax-free allowance and handles the annual Vorabpauschale. With a broker abroad you do all of that in a tax return yourself.
- Whether the app and support work in English is not a cost question, but for anyone who does not read German it decides everything else – check it before opening an account.
How to read the comparison
Every broker in the table is rated on four criteria, and the weighting is shown directly below the list: execution cost carries the most weight, followed by the ETF range, the convenience of the savings plan and safety and tax handling. The score is editorial research, not a paid ranking, and it is the same method the German-language ETF-Broker-Vergleich uses.
Four columns do the work. “A €100 ETF savings plan costs” is the effective fee for one execution of a €100 rate, minimum and maximum fees included. “ETF savings plans” shows how many ETFs the broker lets you save into, and how many of those without a fee – the two numbers are not always the same. “Custody” is the monthly fee for holding the account, which most providers have abolished. “Min. rate” is the smallest contribution you can set, at several brokers €1.
The product details of each row add the things a headline price hides: which trading venue executes the plan, on which days of the month, how many intervals you can choose, whether distributions are reinvested automatically, whether the rate can rise automatically, whether a child or joint account exists and whether the broker settles German taxes for you.
Neobrokers, direct banks, branch banks
The providers in the table follow three business models, and the model predicts most of what you will find in the product details.
Neobrokers are app-first companies built around low fees, a limited number of trading venues and a simple interface. They typically execute ETF savings plans without a fee and charge a flat, low price for one-off orders. The brokers with English-language apps sit in this group.
Direct banks combine the brokerage account with a current account, savings products and loans. They offer more trading venues, more order types and telephone support, and they charge more for one-off orders. Their interfaces are, with few exceptions, German only.
Branch banks add in-person advice at a price. For a long-term ETF plan the advice is rarely needed, and the fees are the highest of the three groups.
Does the platform speak English?
This is the question the German comparison sites do not ask. The pattern, as at September 2026: several app-based neobrokers offer an English interface and English support; the direct banks and branch banks run in German, including the app, the support line and every document. The language of the app store listing is the fastest test – if the screenshots are German, the app is German.
Three things are German everywhere, whatever the interface language: the account agreement and the price list (the legally binding versions), the annual tax certificate (Jahressteuerbescheinigung) and the exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag). The tax certificate matters most: it is the document you hand to a tax adviser or type into a tax return, and its line items follow the German tax code. A broker that produces it correctly is worth more than one with a nicer English app – and every broker in the table with “Automatic capital gains tax” does.
How to open an account as a resident or as a non-EU citizen – tax ID, registration certificate, video identification – is a topic of its own and covered on the page about the trading account in Germany.
Which costs matter over 20 years
Broker costs come in four kinds. The execution fee per savings-plan rate, now zero at most providers for most ETFs. The order fee for buying or selling outside the plan, either a flat amount or a percentage with a minimum and a cap. The custody fee, monthly or yearly, mostly abolished. And the spread between buying and selling price at the trading venue, which no price list shows – it is widest outside the opening hours of the reference exchange, which is why the execution day and venue in the product details are worth a look.
Set against these is a cost that is not the broker’s at all: the fund’s total expense ratio. It is taken from the fund’s assets every day and never appears on a statement. The numbers say where to look first:
| Cost item | Assumption | Effect after 20 years |
|---|---|---|
| Execution fee | €1.50 per monthly execution, 240 executions | €360 paid in fees |
| Fund cost (TER) | 1.4% instead of 0.2% a year, €250 a month, 7% return | €21,252.66 less final value |
| Own calculation, as at 2 September 2026. Execution fee: 240 × €1.50. TER effect: default example of the ETF savings plan calculator (€5,000 initial, €250 a month, 20 years, 7%), pre-tax, €147,241.28 at 0.2% TER against €125,988.62 at 1.4%. The average ongoing cost of an active equity fund in the EU is 1.38%, of an equity ETF 0.22% (ESMA, 2020–2024). | ||
A free savings plan is worth having, but it decides a few hundred euros; a low-cost ETF decides tens of thousands. Once the fund is chosen, the broker question reduces to: is that ETF on the free list, and does the execution venue quote a tight spread?
Savings plan features worth checking
- Intervals and execution days. Monthly is standard; some brokers add weekly, fortnightly and quarterly, and let you pick the day of the month. More choice helps if your salary arrives late in the month.
- Dynamic rate increase. Raises the contribution automatically by a percentage each year. In the calculator example, 2% a year turns €65,000 of contributions into €77,892.11 and adds €19,409.18 to the final value after tax – a feature worth more than any execution fee.
- Automatic reinvestment of distributions. Only relevant for distributing ETFs; accumulating ETFs reinvest inside the fund anyway.
- Third-party direct debit. Lets the broker pull the rate from any SEPA account, so you do not need the broker’s own current account.
- Child and joint accounts. A child account is opened in the child’s name, with its own tax allowance.
Tax: why a German broker saves you a tax return
Private investment income in Germany is taxed at a flat 25% plus the 5.5% solidarity surcharge, 26.375% in total, before any church tax. Every broker in the table marked “Automatic capital gains tax” withholds that amount at source, files it with the tax office and issues the annual certificate. Three things come with it:
- The exemption order: with it, the broker leaves the first €1,000 of income per year untaxed (double for jointly assessed spouses). It requires a German tax ID – new arrivals have to wait for it.
- The partial exemption: 30% of the income of an equity ETF is tax-free, which the broker applies without being asked.
- The Vorabpauschale: the annual advance tax on accumulating funds, debited in January and credited back when you sell. A German broker calculates and books it; with a broker abroad you compute it yourself.
The rates, the church tax mechanics and what to do about losses are on the capital gains tax page; what the Vorabpauschale costs in euros is in the ETF savings plan calculator.
Safety and regulation
Two separate protections apply, and they cover different money. Your ETF units are part of a fund’s segregated assets (Sondervermögen): section 92 of the German Capital Investment Code (Kapitalanlagegesetzbuch, KAGB) requires them to be held separately from the assets of the fund company, and they are not part of the broker’s estate either – if the broker fails, the units are transferred to another custodian. The cash on the settlement account is a bank deposit and falls under statutory deposit insurance: up to €100,000 per depositor and bank (section 8 of the German Deposit Guarantee Act, Einlagensicherungsgesetz), in special cases such as a recent house sale temporarily up to €500,000.
Which supervisor is responsible depends on the broker’s licence: German-licensed brokers answer to BaFin, others to the supervisor of their home country within the EU. The product details of each row name the custodian bank; which guarantee scheme covers the cash follows from that bank’s licence. Interest on cash is a separate question from safety – some brokers pay it on the settlement account itself, others only on an additional savings account, and the “Interest on cash account” filter separates the two.
Which broker for which investor
- First ETF, small monthly rate: sort by execution cost, then check the English-language question. A €1 minimum rate and a free plan matter more than the number of trading venues.
- Long-term saver with a growing income: filter for dynamic rate increase and third-party direct debit, and look at the free-ETF count rather than the total.
- Distributing ETFs for income: automatic reinvestment on or off is the deciding feature; the “Interest on cash account” filter shows where idle distributions earn something.
- Active trading alongside the plan: the ETF comparison is the wrong tool – order fees, venues and order types are compared on the online broker page.
Prices and features in the table are maintained by the editorial team and dated; this page describes how to use them, not which provider to pick.
Sources
- German Capital Investment Code: section 92 KAGB (segregated fund assets) – retrieved 2 September 2026, German only
- German Deposit Guarantee Act: section 8 EinSiG (€100,000 cover, temporary €500,000) – retrieved 2 September 2026, German only
- German Investment Tax Act: section 18 InvStG (Vorabpauschale) and section 20 InvStG (partial exemption); German Income Tax Act: section 44a EStG (exemption order, tax ID) – retrieved 2 September 2026, German only
- ESMA: Market Report on Costs and Performance of EU Retail Investment Products 2025 (ongoing costs of equity ETFs and active equity funds, EU-27, 2020–2024) – published March 2026, retrieved 2 September 2026
Frequently asked questions
A standing order to buy a fixed amount of an ETF at a fixed interval – usually monthly – executed automatically by the broker. You set the ETF, the amount and the day; the broker buys fractions of units if the amount does not match the unit price. Most German brokers execute ETF savings plans free of charge; the minimum rate starts at €1 at several providers.
The execution is free; the investment is not. Three costs remain: the fund’s own annual cost (TER), which is deducted inside the fund and never invoiced; the spread between buying and selling price at the trading venue; and, at some brokers, a venue fee for one-off purchases outside the plan. Over 20 years the TER is by far the largest of the three, and it is the fund’s, not the broker’s.
Yes, as a resident. Every broker requires a German address, a German tax identification number (Steuer-ID, issued after registration at the local registration office) and an identity check by video call or at a post office. Passports from some non-EU countries are not accepted by every provider for the video check; the alternative is the identification at a post office. Without residence in Germany, most German brokers do not open accounts at all.
At the app-based neobrokers usually yes, at the direct banks and branch banks usually no. Three documents are German at every provider: the account agreement and price list, the annual tax certificate and the exemption order. The tax certificate is the one you will need – its line items follow the German tax code, and a tax adviser can read it.
The Vorabpauschale is an annual advance tax on accumulating funds: a notional minimum return of the fund value at the start of the year, taxed in January of the following year and later deducted from the gain when you sell. A German broker calculates it, applies your exemption order and debits the tax from your settlement account. With a broker abroad you have to work it out and declare it yourself.
The ETF units are segregated fund assets and remain your property if the broker or the fund company becomes insolvent; they are transferred to another custodian. Cash on the settlement account is a bank deposit and is covered by statutory deposit insurance up to €100,000 per depositor and bank. The two protections cover different money, which is why it is worth knowing which bank holds the cash – the product details name the custodian bank.
By SEPA transfer from any euro-area account, yes. Whether the savings plan itself can be debited from a foreign account depends on the “third-party direct debit” feature: brokers that offer it pull the monthly rate from any SEPA account, the others only from their own current account or from a balance you transfer in advance.
The number of ETFs that can be saved free of charge, the execution days and intervals, whether the rate can rise automatically, whether distributions are reinvested, whether the broker settles German capital gains tax and issues the annual certificate, and whether the app and support are available in English. For a plan that runs for decades, these decide more than a fee of a few euros.