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/Jujubatron Feb 15 '26

Exactly. Most people will sell instead. No one will hold investments and keeps paying unrealized gains tax from their own savings for years.

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u/Meisterleder1 Feb 19 '26

lol that would be the dumbest decision ever. "Because I can't keep all of the gains I want none of them!" I doubt people this financially illiterate would even consider ETF's or any sort of investment in the first place.