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Guide · for complete beginners

How to buy your first ETF, step by step

From choosing a broker to your first purchase. About an hour in total, no rush, no jargon. Tick each step when it’s done.

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Your progress

0 of 6 steps done.

  1. 1Before you start: your safety cushion

    Keep about 6 months of expenses in the bank, in an account you can reach any day. It covers emergencies, so you never have to sell your ETFs at a bad moment.

    Only invest in ETFs money you won’t need for at least 10 years. If you don’t know your numbers yet, make your plan in 3 questions.

  2. 2Choose a broker

    The broker is the app or bank where you buy and keep your ETFs. Just check 3 things:

    • Is it a serious, authorised one? Pick a well-known broker authorised in the EU.
    • Is buying every month free? It should cost nothing, or almost. A €2 fee each time, on €100 a month, is 2%: too much.
    • Does it handle taxes? Check whether it does them for you or you declare them yourself.

    Your own bank can work too, but ask what each purchase costs.

  3. 3Open the account

    It takes 10–20 minutes on your phone. You’ll need:

    • An ID document (ID card or passport) and sometimes a selfie.
    • Your tax number.
    • A bank account (IBAN) in your name, to send money in and out.

    The broker will ask a few questions about your experience. It’s required by EU rules: answer honestly, it’s fine to be a beginner. The account is usually ready in 1–3 days.

  4. 4Find your ETF

    You don’t need the “best” ETF, just a good one. In the app, search for MSCI World or FTSE All-World (thousands of companies around the world) and pick one that:

    • has “Acc” in the name (it reinvests the dividends for you);
    • costs little per year: the “TER” is under 0.25%.

    Write down its ISIN, the 12-character code next to the name, so you can find exactly that one again.

    These are criteria, not a recommendation of a specific ETF.

  5. 5Buy, then add every month

    Send money to the broker with a transfer from your bank, search for the ETF by its ISIN and buy it.

    • Every month, after payday, do the same with the amount from your plan.
    • If one share of the ETF costs more than you add, some brokers let you buy a fraction; otherwise wait a month and buy when you have enough.

  6. 6Then: leave it alone

    In the app you’ll see the value in euros and a + or − percentage. Some months it will be red: that’s normal, and with a monthly plan you’re buying at a discount.

    • Don’t check it every day. Once every few months is enough.
    • Once a year: raise the monthly amount if you can.
    • Don’t sell in a crash. Selling after a fall turns a temporary drop into a real loss.

Taxes and accounts to check in your country

Usually you pay tax only on gains, and only when you sell. Some brokers handle taxes for you; with others you declare them yourself. Rules depend on your country: check before you choose a broker.

Taxes change, and they vary. Tax rules change often, sometimes every year, and depend on your country, your region and your own situation. What you read here is a general summary, checked in October 2026: always check the current rules with an accountant or tax adviser before deciding.

Questions

Can I use my own bank?
Yes, if it offers ETFs. Compare the costs: many banks charge a yearly account fee and a fee per purchase that, on small monthly amounts, costs more than the ETF itself.
What if I pick the wrong ETF?
With a broad world ETF that’s cheap and large, there’s no really wrong choice: they hold much the same companies. Picking one and starting matters more than finding the perfect one.
Do I have to buy every month?
No. You can skip a month, change the amount or stop whenever you want, and sell whenever the market is open. Adding every month builds the habit and evens out the ups and downs.

First, your plan

Answer 3 questions: how much to keep in the bank and how much to invest in ETFs each month. Then come back here and follow the steps.

Make my plan

Not financial or tax advice. An educational guide, with no ties to any broker or ETF provider and no affiliate links. Investing in ETFs can lose money. Check the rules or talk to a qualified adviser.

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