Introducing Investment Savings Accounts in Germany too

Deutsches Aktieninstitut welcomes the European Commission's recommendation for tax-advantaged investment savings accounts in Europe. The European Commission today issued a recommendation to this effect to the Member States with a view to strengthening investment in shares and securities. Deutsches Aktieninstitut sees this as another important step towards a savings and investment union, which also offers great opportunities for Germany.

‘We call on the Federal Government to implement the European Commission's initiative and introduce investment savings accounts in Germany as well,’ said Henriette Peucker, Chief Executive and Member of the Board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, commenting on the European Commission's recommendation. ‘This improves the population's participation in the success of companies and at the same time strengthens the investor base for companies.’

According to the EU Commission's recommendation, EU member states should introduce investment savings accounts across the board. These are tax-advantaged securities accounts in which shares, equity funds, ETFs and other securities can be held. The accounts are offered privately by licensed financial service providers. There are no additional requirements such as value guarantees on the securities portfolio, holding periods or special advisory obligations. This makes investment savings accounts flexible to use, easy to understand and increases the scope for profitable equity investments.

The recommendation is a key measure in the work to strengthen capital markets within the framework of the Savings and Investment Union. It is based on successful existing models such as those in Sweden, France and Italy. Poland also introduced a similar model in August. ‘Other EU countries are showing us how simple solutions can be used to strengthen equity and securities investments,’ explains Peucker. ‘With the EU Commission's recommendation, the German government now has a blueprint for how to do this easily and successfully. We must now take advantage of this opportunity as quickly as possible.’