
Optimize your savings rate for maximum subsidies in <10 min.
- Pay off expensive debt: Overdrafts (~9.4%) and consumer loans (~8.7%) first – risk-free, tax-free return.
- Emergency fund: 3–6 months' salary in a savings account for unexpected expenses.
- Up to €30/month into the retirement deposit (AVD): 50% state subsidy (€15 bonus). Even better if you have children (up to €65 bonus) or are under 25 (one-time €200). Minimum: €10/month.
- €30–150/month into AVD: 25% subsidy. Example: With €100 contribution you get €32.50 bonus. Maximum €150/month for full subsidy (€45 bonus). Plus possible tax benefits.
- Important trade-off: AVD money is locked until retirement; withdrawals are fully taxed. Only worthwhile if costs are low and you truly save for retirement.
- Free ETF savings plan for everything above €150/month: Flexible for other goals or early retirement.
- Employee savings scheme (VL): Employer bonus + possibly 20% state bonus (max €80/year) if income below €40,000. Transferable to a free depot after 7 years. Only few providers offer VL with ETFs (e.g. comdirect, Fidelity, Finvesto).
- Company pension scheme (BAV): Often inflexible and expensive. Only worth it if employer adds at least 20–30%. Anything beyond better in AVD or free depot.
- You can withdraw from the AVD tax-free for a self-occupied home. But don't invest in stock ETFs – use short-term government bonds or money market ETFs to avoid market volatility before purchase.
Conclusion: First pay off debt and build emergency fund. Then invest up to €150/month in AVD for maximum subsidies, everything else in a free depot. Only take employer subsidies if they truly benefit you.






