Your savings account is quietly losing you money. With inflation running higher than most savings rates, every month you wait is money left on the table. The solution seems obvious: invest in stocks. But where do you start? Which broker should you choose? How do Belgian taxes work? The complexity can feel overwhelming.
This guide strips away the confusion. You'll learn exactly how to buy stocks as a Belgian beginner, from choosing between brokers and apps to understanding the costs and taxes that actually matter.
Why investing in stocks is important
It’s getting harder for young Belgians to feel secure about their financial future. The state pension used to be enough for retirement. But with people living longer and politics moving slowly, we can’t count on it anymore. If we want a comfortable life later, we need to start investing ourselves.
Another reason to invest: your savings account isn’t keeping up. Interest rates have been low for years. Often lower than inflation. This means your money actually lost value over the past 12 years. By investing in stocks, you have a chance to grow your money and beat inflation.
Stocks offer something savings accounts don’t: long-term growth. Over time, the stock market has delivered higher returns than savings accounts or bonds. That’s how you build wealth. It’s how you reach big goals like buying a home or preparing for retirement.
When you invest in stocks, you become a part-owner of companies. If the companies grow, so does your investment. Some even pay you a piece of their profits (called dividends).
In short, learning to invest in stocks can help you build a better financial future.
What are stocks?
Stocks are small pieces of a company. When you buy one, you become a part-owner. This means you benefit if the company grows, and you may also receive a share of the profits (called dividends).
For example, if you buy shares of AB InBev or Apple and they do well, the value of your stocks goes up. But if the company struggles, your shares can lose value too.
Here are some key things to know:
Stocks can grow your money
Over the long term, stocks have offered much better returns than savings accounts. A global index of stocks like MSCI World has delivered about 10.3% per year since 1978. That’s helped many investors beat inflation and build wealth.
Prices go up and down
Stock prices can change a lot in the short term. That’s normal. What matters is staying in for the long run. Only invest money you won’t need soon, so you don’t feel forced to sell when prices drop.
Some companies pay dividends
These are small cash payments from a company’s profits. It’s a nice bonus on top of any increase in value. But not all companies pay dividends, and in Belgium, dividends are taxed at 30%.
Understanding stocks is the first step to becoming a confident investor. Next, we’ll cover the pros and cons of investing in them.
Benefits of investing in stocks
If you want to grow your money over time, stocks can be a great option. Here’s why:
Stronger returns over time
Stocks have done better than savings accounts or bonds in the long run. By investing in a broad mix of companies, you benefit from the growth of the global economy. A global index like the FTSE All-World returned an average of 9.1% per year from 2003. That kind of growth adds up over time thanks to the power of compounding.
You own a piece of a real business
Buying stocks means becoming part-owner of a company. When the company grows, so does your investment. Many established companies also pay dividends (a share of their profits), which can give you extra income.
You’re free to buy and sell anytime
Stocks are flexible. You can sell them quickly if you need the money. That’s not the case with other investments like real estate, where it can take months to get your money out.
You can invest globally
You’re not limited to Belgian companies. With stocks, you can invest in businesses all around the world. This helps reduce risk, since your money isn’t tied to just one economy. It also increases your chances of owning the best-performing companies.
A way to beat inflation
Inflation eats away at the value of your savings. But stocks can keep up because companies raise prices and grow profits. That growth can turn into higher share prices, helping your money keep its value.
Investing in stocks has lots of upsides. But it's just as important to understand the risks. We'll get into those next.
What are the risks for Belgian investors?
Investing in stocks can help grow your money, but there are risks too. Here’s what to watch out for, and how to deal with them:
Markets go up and down
Stock prices change every day. They can fall sharply, especially during economic or political shocks. That can feel scary. But short-term drops are normal. What matters is staying invested for the long term. Only invest money you won’t need for the next few years, so you can wait out the bad times.
You can lose money
If a company does badly, its share price can drop. If it goes bankrupt, you might lose everything you put in. That’s what happened with Wirecard in 2020. To avoid this, don’t put all your money into one or two companies. Spread it out. Or better yet, invest in a fund that holds many different stocks.
Stock-picking is tough
It sounds exciting to pick the next Apple or Tesla. But in reality, beating the market is very hard. You’re often up against professionals with more time, tools and information. Most casual investors don’t outperform index funds. If you want to try stock-picking, do it with a small part of your portfolio, and mostly for fun.
Emotions can hurt your returns
It’s tempting to buy when stocks go up and panic when they fall. But that’s usually the opposite of what you should do. Staying calm and sticking to a plan is key. The golden rule: time in the market beats timing the market.
Fees and taxes matter
Investing isn’t free. Belgian investors pay a transaction tax (TOB) on trades and a 30% tax on dividends. Plus, brokers charge fees. These can eat into your returns. Choosing low-cost funds and using accumulating funds (that reinvest dividends) helps reduce what you lose to fees and taxes. By staying diversified, investing for the long term and keeping costs low, you can manage these risks.
Let’s now look at how to actually get started.
How to buy stocks in Belgium
There are two main ways you can start investing in the stock market as a Belgian beginner:
- Investing through an app like Curvo: You use an investing app that manages the investments for you. You typically answer questions about your goals and risk profile, and the app provides you with a balanced portfolio, often focusing on broad market index funds.
- Investing through a broker: You open a brokerage account and buy stocks yourself. You make the decisions (what to buy/sell and when) and manage the portfolio on your own.
Let's explore each of these methods in detail:
Option 1: Invest on autopilot with Curvo
If managing your own investments sounds overwhelming or time-consuming, you're not alone. That’s why we built Curvo.
Curvo is an app made for beginners who want to invest without the stress. You don’t need to learn everything about the markets first. Instead, Curvo takes care of it all for you.
How it works
You download the app (available in English, Dutch and French), sign up using itsme, and answer a few questions about your goals and risk tolerance. Based on your answers, you’re matched with a portfolio of index funds that suits you. These portfolios include thousands of stocks from around the world, and sometimes bonds for stability. Your portfolio invests sustainably by default.
Start from just €50
You don’t need thousands of euros to begin. You can invest from as little as €50. And thanks to fractional shares, that €50 gets spread across your full portfolio, instantly diversifying your money across global markets.
Automated monthly investing
You can set up a savings plan where Curvo automatically invests a fixed amount from your bank account every month. This builds a solid habit and helps you invest without thinking about market ups and downs.
We manage everything for you
You don’t have to worry about rebalancing, fund selection, or timing the market. We handle all of it making sure your portfolio stays in line with your goals. You get the benefits of smart investing, without the homework.
No transaction fees or TOB tax
Curvo charges one all-in yearly fee (between 0.6% and 1%). There are no extra charges when you invest or withdraw. And since the funds Curvo uses aren’t subject to the Belgian stock transaction tax (TOB), you save even more.
Tax-efficient too
Curvo only uses accumulating funds, meaning dividends are reinvested. This helps you avoid the 30% tax on cash dividends in Belgium. Your money keeps growing, without losing part of it to tax.
Why beginners love Curvo
- Start small: invest from €50
- Diversified: your money is spread across thousands of companies
- Automated: invest monthly without lifting a finger
- No hidden fees: one clear fee, no per-trade costs
- Professionally managed: experts handle everything
- Made for beginners: easy-to-use app, helpful support, and articles to learn more as you go
You don’t get to pick individual stocks, but you gain peace of mind and a solid long-term strategy. For many, it’s the easiest way to get started. Later on, if you want more control, you can always switch to doing it yourself.
By investing with Curvo, you're following a proven approach: global index investing. It’s simple, low-cost and has delivered solid returns over time. For beginners, it just works.
Option 2: Using a broker to DIY
A broker is an online platform (or bank) that gives you access to the stock market. You open an account, deposit money, and then you can buy stocks, ETFs, bonds, and more. In Belgium, you can choose between local brokers like Bolero or Keytrade, and international ones like DEGIRO or Saxo.
Here’s what to keep in mind when picking a broker:
Fees matter
Brokers charge for their services, and the costs vary a lot. Some are cheaper than others. Look out for trading fees, account fees, and currency conversion fees. The less you pay in fees, the more of your return you keep.
Taxes can be tricky
Belgian brokers usually handle your taxes for you. This includes the stock transaction tax (TOB) and reporting your account to the authorities. Foreign brokers often don’t. You’ll need to declare the account yourself to the National Bank of Belgium and handle tax reporting too. It’s doable, but it adds a bit of work.
Some brokers are easier to use than others
Some brokers offer a simple app or website. Others feel old-school. Since you’re just starting out, look for one that’s easy to use and available in Dutch, French or English.
Safety is important
Stick to regulated brokers. All brokers working in Belgium should be registered with the FSMA or be passported via another EU country. Bigger, established brokers are usually safe, though they might charge a bit more. Also check if they offer investor protection (typically up to €20,000) and keep your money in separate accounts.
Once your account is set up (usually by verifying your identity via itsme or your ID), you can deposit money and start investing.
If you're new, a good place to start is with ETFs. They give you instant diversification, so you don’t have to worry about picking individual stocks. Managing your investments through a broker means you’re in control. That can be exciting. But remember: it takes time and discipline to get it right. Choosing a few broad index funds is often better than betting everything on a couple of stocks.
Watch the costs
Every trade comes with a transaction fee and tax. The TOB for stocks is 0.35%, and for funds it ranges from 0.12% to 1.32%. This means frequent trading can get expensive. That’s why most beginners do better with a long-term plan, rather than trying to time the market.
In short, using a broker is great if you want full control and are willing to learn. Just pick a low-cost, reliable broker and invest in a smart, diversified way.
Summary
Investing in stocks might seem daunting at first, but it's one of the most effective ways to build wealth over time. With Belgian savings accounts barely keeping up with inflation, putting your money to work in the stock market becomes essential for your financial future.
The key is to start simple and stay consistent. Whether you choose to manage your own investments through a broker or prefer the automated approach of an app like Curvo, what matters most is taking that first step. Remember, every successful investor was once a beginner who decided to start somewhere. Your future self will thank you for beginning today.