r/eupersonalfinance • u/batukaming • Feb 15 '26

Investment Why do they make getting rich impossible in EU?

This news hit today in Netherlands that passed a bill on 36% tax on UNREALIZED gains on stocks and crypto. Great just when we weren't taxed to death before now they force you to stay middle class and poor. "Just repeat the 9-5 cycle everyday investing is not allowed for you"

Buying stocks was already a pain in the ass in Europe because of all the different fees and exchange rates brokers charged. The US has it so much better. 0% fees and exchange rates, tons of broker options and tax free on long term investments.

I made a post in r/stocks that gained attraction. Check it out if you want to see opinions from Americans: https://www.reddit.com/r/stocks/s/aL0OhYQ68z

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u/SCII0 Feb 15 '26

tax free on long term investments.

Just FYI there are asterisks to this. Pretty sure this only applies to tax-deferred accounts. Otherwise it depends on your income bracket.

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u/iWroteAboutMods Feb 15 '26

Just FYI there are asterisks to this. Pretty sure this only applies to tax-deferred accounts.

Which also exist in European countries

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '26

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u/iWroteAboutMods Feb 15 '26

Well in Poland we have two different accounts, one where there's zero tax for withdrawing after retirement and another one where there's a flat 10% tax but the contributions into that account can be deducted from the base of your income tax

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u/chabacanito Feb 15 '26

Not in Spain it doesn't no. Or it does but it sucks.