You've done the research. You know that keeping all your money in savings accounts means losing purchasing power to inflation. You understand that investing in ETFs offers better long-term returns.
But every time you try to start, you hit the same wall: broker complexity, ETF selection paralysis, and Belgian tax confusion. So your money stays put, earning 0.6% while inflation eats away at its value.
The solution isn't learning to become a DIY investor. It's finding an ETF savings plan that handles the complexity for you while you focus on what matters: building wealth for your future.
Let's look into the best ETF savings plans in Belgium.
What is an ETF savings plan?
A savings plan, also called an investment plan or ETF savings plan, is a way to automatically invest a fixed amount of money each month. Instead of parking your money in a savings account, which has low returns, your monthly contribution is invested in ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): low-cost funds that track the performance of stock markets around the world.
While savings accounts serve important purposes, their most important drawback is that they're unlikely to help you meet your long-term financial goals. The reason is the low interest rate. With inflation typically running at 2% or higher, your money actually loses purchasing power over time when it sits in a savings account.
Let's put this in perspective: If you keep €10,000 in a savings account with a 0.6% interest rate for 10 years, you'll earn about €618 in interest. But with just 2% annual inflation, your €10,000 will only have the purchasing power of about €8,200 after those same 10 years. In other words, your money is slowly shrinking rather than growing.
We can see this when when comparing the historical performance of a savings account and a global stock ETF like IWDA, that tracks the MSCI World index. The average return of a savings account these last 20 years was around 0.9%, whereas it's been 8.4% for stocks. Due to compound interest, this translates to a total amount of €46,000 vs €12,000 on an initial €10,000 investment.
With an ETF savings plan, you can start investing in an ETF like IWDA consistently every month.
Benefits of ETF savings plans
- ✅ Automated: Set your plan once, and it runs in the background.
- ✅ Peace of mind: Monthly investing is one of the best financial habits you can adopt. Following a system that you know will work in the long term brings you peace of mind.
- ✅ Diversified: ETFs spread your money across thousands of companies and sectors.
- ✅ Better returns: Historically higher growth than savings accounts.
- ✅ Long-term mindset: Ideal for building wealth gradually.
Whether you're saving for a house, your children, or early retirement, a savings plan helps your money work harder.
What are the best savings plans in Belgium?
When comparing savings plans, here are the most important factors for Belgian residents:
BUX
You can choose from a limited but curated list of ETFs, set your monthly investment amount, and BUX will automatically execute the order on your selected date.
There’s no minimum investment, and BUX supports fractional investing, so you don’t need to buy full shares. The recurring plan is available under their subscription model, which starts at €2.99 per month.
It’s designed to be beginner-friendly but BUX does not manage Belgian taxes such as the Reynders tax. You’ll need to handle those yourself. They do withhold the TOB (Belgian stock transaction tax).
Trade Republic
Trade Republic offers a flexible ETF savings plan that allows you to invest from as little as €1 per month into a wide selection of ETFs. You can set up your plan through their app by choosing your preferred ETF, deciding on the monthly amount, and selecting the day of execution. Purchases are made automatically and commission-free.
Trade Republic supports fractional shares, meaning your full monthly contribution is invested, even if the ETF costs more than your deposit. You can set up multiple ETF plans and adjust or pause them at any time through the app.
A major downside of Trade Republic is that you're responsible for declaring and paying the Belgian taxes. This can be complicated and cumbersome, as in the case of the TOB. You also need to declare your Trade Republic account as a foreign account.
Another concern for Trade Republic is that their business model is based on payment for order flow (PFOF). Essentially, it's a mechanism through which they make money from your trades. But it leads to worse prices for you, which is why the EU has banned the practice from 2026 onwards.
Bolero
Bolero offers automated savings plans for ETFs through its ETF Playbook. You can set up a recurring investment schedule with options for monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual purchases. Once configured, Bolero will automatically execute ETF purchases according to your chosen frequency.
However, there are two key limitations to be aware of. First, the savings plan does not pull funds directly from your bank account: you’ll need to manually transfer sufficient cash to your Bolero account ahead of each scheduled investment. Second, Bolero does not support investing by specific euro amounts; you can only purchase whole units of an ETF.
Despite these constraints, Bolero is a solid option for Belgians who prefer a local broker with automatic tax handling (including the TOB and Reynders tax).
Saxo
Saxo Bank offers AutoInvest, a tool that lets you create your own ETF savings plan. You choose the ETFs and how much to allocate to each, and Saxo invests for you monthly.
For a flat fee of €2 per month, Saxo will automatically purchase your selected ETFs on the 5th of every month (or the next banking day if the 5th is a holiday or in the weekend). There’s no additional trading commission, and you can invest as little or as much as you want as there is no minimum amount required. You can choose up to 10 ETFs per plan and even run multiple plans via separate sub-accounts. Once your recurring transfer is in place, your investments are executed (provided you have sufficient money to cover the purchases).
Why Curvo has the best savings plan for Belgians
While brokers like BUX, Bolero, Saxo and Trade Republic offer ETF savings plans, you still have to be your own investment manager. You’re on your own when it comes to picking ETFs, understanding risk, and managing taxes. You'll have to build your own portfolio and maintain it over time through for instance period rebalancing.
That’s where Curvo stands out. Curvo is specifically designed for Belgian residents who want to invest monthly in a simple, automated, and tax-optimised way.
✅ No ETF selection needed: We match you with a globally diversified portfolio suited to your goals. Essentially you're investing in over 7,500 companies across the globe.
✅ We handle the taxes: No need to worry about the TOB or the Reynders tax. And where we can't declare it for you, we provide you with detailed step-by-step instructions and assist you to make it as easy as possible for you.
✅ No broker interface headaches: Curvo's app is built for long-term savers, not traders.
✅ Start from €50 per month: Invest affordably and consistently.
✅ Regulated: Your assets are safe and secure.
Whether you're saving for a home, your kids' education, or financial independence, Curvo gives you a worry-free way to invest.
Conclusion
ETF savings plans offer a straightforward way to build wealth over time. Instead of letting your money lose purchasing power in a low-interest savings account, you can put it to work in the global markets through automated monthly investments.
The key is choosing a savings plan that fits your situation. If you're comfortable managing ETF selection and tax obligations yourself, brokers like BUX or Trade Republic provide the tools you need. But if you prefer a hands-off approach where everything is handled for you, Curvo takes care of the complex bits whilst you focus on your long-term goals. Either way, starting your savings plan today means your money begins working harder for your future.