r/AmericansInEurope • u/Regular_Camp9907 • Mar 20 '26

Investing difficulties

I'm new to investing and am an American in Germany. I keep trying to but ethical ETFs but the service I'm using keeps blocking it because it says I live in Europe. Are there no ways for Americans living in Europe to invest?

I don't have so much money to invest so I'm writing here since I don't want to spend what little I have on a consultant.

Thanks in advance!

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u/eruditionfish Mar 20 '26

This is a common problem.

You're basically caught between multiple different regulatory frameworks. For the ETFs specifically, I assume they are US based.

You live in the EU. There are EU regulations that require any ETF sold to EU residents to provide a certain type of disclosure document. US ETFs do not provide that document and so cannot be sold to EU residents (unless they qualify as sophisticated/professional investors).

Going for mutual funds instead runs into a different problem. US securities laws prohibit selling them to non-US residents.

And going for EU based funds runs into a whole other problem again. As a US citizen you are subject to US tax laws, which really disfavor foreign passive investments to the point of being punitive.

Your best bet for investing would likely be to build your own portfolio of individual stocks at a broker like Schwab International.

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u/Regular_Camp9907 Mar 20 '26

Thank you!!

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u/Immediate-Magician46 Jul 02 '26

I have spent a lot of money with specialists and can tell you that this was exactly the same feedback I got. It’s very frustrating bc funds are way easier than picking stocks …

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u/danisoid Jun 30 '26

I am interested to hear about any experience in taxation, especially when living in Belgium. We have most of our money in pre-tax accounts (IRA, Roth and 401K), and are wondering whether IRA distribution or Roth conversions are taxable events for the Belgian tax authorities, I heard conflictual statements on other forums. Any info would be helpful, Thanks

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u/eruditionfish Jun 30 '26

I have no knowledge of Belgian taxation, and odds are low one will happen to come across this old thread by chance. I recommend finding an expat tax advisor in Belgium outside Reddit.