You can start investing in the Netherlands with as little as €1; per-purchase costs depend on the fees your platform charges.
While investing might seem like a rich person’s game, the barrier to entry is much lower than you’d expect. Most Dutch brokers have scrapped minimum deposits entirely, and fractional shares mean you can own €10 of a fund that costs €500 a share.
Needless to say, the part that trips up most beginner investors isn’t the upfront costs but the knowledge of how (and with how much!) to get started.
Let’s run through the basics.
Here’s what it costs to set up an investment account
In general, the costs to open an investment account in the Netherlands will depend on the type of platform used:
- Investment apps and online brokers: Opening an account is generally free with online brokers and investment apps, and most have no (or low) platform fees. Their minimum deposit requirements tend to be equally low; it’s not uncommon to see €0 to €1 as your minimum required deposit.
- Index fund providers: These typically work on a subscription model. For example, Meesman, a Dutch passive-investing specialist, asks for a minimum of €50 a month, €600 a year, or €10,000 in one go, with no transaction fees on top.
- Dutch banks: Investing through the bank you already use is convenient, but it often comes with a small annual account fee and a yearly percentage charged on your holdings.
However, while the set-up won’t cost you much, per-purchase fees decide how much you need to start investing with.
Trading 212 offers commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs with fractional shares, so you needn’t break the bank to build your portfolio. Even better, their AutoInvest feature lets you set up recurring contributions through stocks, ETFs, and Pies.
You can also hold and invest across several currencies, with euro-listed funds carrying no conversion fees. Not sure of the ropes? Check out a practice account to demo with virtual money first.
Disclaimer: When investing, your capital is at risk. Spreads and, where applicable, FX fees and product-related costs apply.
How per-purchase fees affect investments
For certain investors, your main per-purchase cost will be the transaction fee. These are typically flat, meaning that they cost the same whether you invest €25 or €2,500. So the smaller your deposit, the bigger chunk will be eaten up by fees.
The good news is, not every broker charges transaction fees — and some skip them entirely.
However, what you really need to keep an eye on are currency conversion fees, especially if your fund is priced in dollars or pounds, rather than euros. Buying the euro-listed version of the same fund offers more bang for your buck.
So, how much should you start with?
For most people, the honest answer is whatever you can comfortably spare each month.
If you’re investing a lump sum through a standard broker, around €100 per purchase keeps costs sensible. If you’re paying a little each month, pick a platform with no transaction fees and start investing with as little as €1.
How much did you start with, and which platform did you pick? Share your tips and experience in the comments below.