Germany Investment & Savings Guides
7 guides on Abgeltungsteuer (25% + Soli), capital gains, crypto tax, dividends, interest, and tax-free savings allowanc.
Germany Capital Gains Tax Guide (Abgeltungsteuer 2026)
Germany's Abgeltungsteuer is a flat 25% tax on capital gains from shares, ETFs, and funds, plus 5.5% Soli (total 26.375%) and church tax (total ~27.8%). The Sparerpauschbetrag of €1,000 (single) / €2,000 (married) is tax-free. File a Freistellungsauftrag to avoid withholding.
Germany Cryptocurrency Tax Guide (Besteuerung von Kryptowährungen)
Crypto gains in Germany are tax-free after a 1-year holding period (Spekulationsfrist). Within 1 year, gains under €600 (single) / €1,000 (joint) are exempt (Freigrenze). Mining, staking, and lending income are sonstige Einkünfte taxable at receipt. Professional trading is fully taxable at marginal rates.
Germany Dividend Tax Guide (Besteuerung von Dividenden)
Dividends in Germany are subject to 25% Abgeltungsteuer + 5.5% Soli + church tax, withheld at source (Kapitalertragsteuer). The Sparerpauschbetrag of €1,000 covers dividends up to that amount. The Teilfreistellung makes 30% of equity fund dividends tax-free.
Germany Employee Savings Allowance Guide (Vermögenswirksame Leistungen)
Vermögenswirksame Leistungen (VL) are employer-paid savings contributions of up to €480/year. The Arbeitnehmersparzulage adds a 20% state bonus for eligible employees — learn the income limits, investment forms, and how to claim.
Germany ETF Tax Guide (Besteuerung von ETFs und Fonds)
German ETF taxation includes the Vorabpauschale (advance flat-rate tax on unrealised gains), Teilfreistellung (30% partial exemption for equity funds), and Abgeltungsteuer (25% + Soli) on distributions and realised gains. Accumulating ETFs trigger the Vorabpauschale annually.
Germany Life Insurance Tax Guide (Besteuerung von Lebensversicherungen)
Tax treatment of life insurance policies in Germany — old policies (before 2005) are 50% tax-free if held ≥12 years; new policies (after 2005) are fully subject to Abgeltungsteuer (25% + Soli) on surrender. Qualifying fund-based policies can be tax-free if held to maturity with ≥60% death benefit. Pension policies (Rürup/Basisrente) have deductible contributions but fully taxable payouts.
Germany Savings Allowance Guide (Sparerpauschbetrag & Freistellungsauftrag)
The Sparerpauschbetrag (€1,000 single / €2,000 married) is Germany's tax-free allowance for investment income. File a Freistellungsauftrag with your bank or broker to receive dividends, interest, and capital gains tax-free up to this limit — otherwise tax is withheld at source and you must reclaim it.