ETF Investing 101: Building Your First Portfolio

ETFs are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to start investing -- but navigating the German investment landscape as an international can be confusing.

This webinar covered everything you need to go from zero to your first ETF purchase, with a focus on the specifics that matter when you're investing from Germany.

How ETFs Work

We explained what ETFs are, how they differ from individual stocks and mutual funds, and why they're particularly well-suited for long-term wealth building.

Choosing a Broker

Not all brokers are created equal -- especially for internationals. We compared popular options like Trade Republic, Scalable Capital, and ING, and discussed what to look for in terms of fees, tax reporting, and ease of use.

Tax Implications

German investment taxation has its quirks. We covered the Vorabpauschale (advance lump sum tax), the Sparerpauschbetrag (tax-free allowance), and how capital gains are taxed when you sell.

Building Your Portfolio

We walked through a simple portfolio strategy using 1-3 ETFs that provides global diversification, and discussed how much to invest monthly based on your financial situation.