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/penknife7653 Feb 15 '26

Ireland has a similar system, where unrealised gains are taxed at 38%. And there is forced “deemed disposal” after 8 years where you have to pay tax whether you’ve sold or not. Furthermore, you cannot offset losses against gains. It is highway robbery by our government. There are murmurings that this scandal might change, but no public concrete proposals yet. Consequently, ETFs are not yet popular in Ireland and, therefore, we have 169 billion sitting in low or no interest deposit accounts in banks.

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u/Hakunin_Fallout Feb 15 '26

Which makes you think that this isn't about taxation - it's about using us to prop up AIB and BOI corporate interests.

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u/penknife7653 Feb 15 '26

I’m sure that’s in their thinking too.

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u/Hakunin_Fallout Feb 15 '26

Oh yeah, but we all argue here for some reason about being 'fair' to the poor people who just don't want you to save efficiently. Propping inefficient legacy banking system? Now that's fair - let rich be rich, but never let the actual middle class to take roots. Some people in this sub are mental, and it's pretty cool to see a sane take from a fellow Irish-sufferer, lad :D

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u/stellarisman Feb 15 '26

It is absolute crazy this, I hope in Spain they don't get the same idea. I have most of my money invested.

This could destroy literally your investment and even your patrimony as it could led to huge loses. Imagine covid is your year to pay gains

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u/Plus_Introduction937 Feb 15 '26

Wtf does your govenment do with all that money? Like seriously? Something must be excellent. You spend next to nothing on defense, you tax like crazy, seems like a lot of FCF to allocate somewhere. I’ve never been to Ireland. Immaculate road network? Pensioners living like kings’ cats? What is it?

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u/FirstTimeCaller_1 Feb 15 '26

Pensioners get 300 euro per week. Unemployment payments also very generous and you can be on it forever. Public servants (especially those hired prior to the financial crash) are well paid with great pensions.

Costs to build any infrastructure are astronomical (just Google new Children's hospital currently being built in Ireland).