How to invest in Germany using ETFs
How do I invest in German stocks?
The easiest way to invest in the whole German stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.
On the German stock market you'll find 3 indices which are tracked by ETFs. Besides these indices, 4 alternative indices are available.
As further alternative, you can consider indices on the Eurozone.
Performance of German stocks (DAX®)
Indices in comparison
The best indices for ETFs on Germany
For an investment in the German stock market, there are 3 indices available which are tracked by 8 ETFs. On the DAX® index there are 6 ETFs. On the F.A.Z. index there is 1 ETF. On the FTSE Germany All Cap index there is 1 ETF. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0,08% p.a. and 0,16% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DAX® | Duitsland | 6 ETFs | 40 | The DAX® index tracks the 40 largest and most traded German stocks listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Index factsheet |
F.A.Z. | Duitsland | 1 ETF | 100 | The F.A.Z index tracks the 100 largest German stock corporations, in terms of market capitalisation, that are traded on Deutsche Börse. Index factsheet |
FTSE Germany All Cap | Duitsland | 1 ETF | 154 (28-06-2024) | The FTSE Germany All Cap index tracks large, mid and small cap securities from Germany. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28-02-2025; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best Germany ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | Amundi DAX UCITS ETF Dist | +27,50% |
| 2 | Xtrackers DAX UCITS ETF 1C | +27,50% |
| 3 | Amundi ETF DAX UCITS ETF DR | +27,48% |
The cheapest Germany ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
| 1 | Amundi DAX UCITS ETF Dist | +0,08% p.a. |
| 2 | Xtrackers DAX UCITS ETF 1C | +0,09% p.a. |
| 3 | Amundi ETF DAX UCITS ETF DR | +0,10% p.a. |
Germany indices on small and mid caps or dividend strategies
Alternatively, you can consider indices on small and mid caps, single sectors or dividend strategies. In order to compare the ETFs for the best German dividend strategies have a look at the Investment Guide on German Dividend Strategies. In total you can invest in 4 alternative indices on Germany tracked by 5 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these alternative indices is between 0,15% p.a. and 0,70% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAX® 50 ESG+ | Duitsland Sociaal/Milieu | 1 ETF | 50 | The DAX® 50 ESG+ index tracks the 50 largest, most liquid German stocks that are classified as particularly sustainable according to ESG criteria (environmental, social and corporate governance). Companies involved in the production or trade of controversial weapons, tobacco, thermal coal and nuclear energy are categorically excluded. Index factsheet |
| DivDAX® | Duitsland Dividend | 1 ETF | 15 | The DivDAX® index tracks 15 stocks with the highest dividend yield within the DAX® index. The DAX® index tracks the largest and most traded German stocks listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Index factsheet |
| MDAX® | Duitsland Mid Cap | 2 ETFs | 50 | The MDAX® index tracks 50 German mid cap stocks which are listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Index factsheet |
| SDAX® | Duitsland Small Cap | 1 ETF | 70 | The SDAX® index tracks 70 German small cap stocks. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28-02-2025; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
Europe indices with a large share of Germany
Besides Germany ETFs you may consider ETFs on the European stock markets. In total, you can invest in 4 indices on the Eurozone tracked by 23 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on the Eurozone is between 0,05% p.a. and 0,20% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURO STOXX® | Europa Germany: 26.60% (30/11/2022) | 1 ETF | 299 (28-06-2024) | The EURO STOXX® index tracks stocks from eurozone countries included in the STOXX® Europe 600 Index. The STOXX® Europe 600 index tracks large, mid and small capitalisation stocks from European developed countries. Index factsheet |
| EURO STOXX® 50 | Europa Germany: 30.90% (30/11/2022) | 14 ETFs | 50 | The EURO STOXX® 50 index tracks the 50 largest companies in the eurozone. Index factsheet |
| MSCI EMU | Europa Germany: 25.37% (30/11/2022) | 6 ETFs | 222 (29-11-2024) | The MSCI EMU index tracks large and mid cap stocks from countries in the European Economic and Monetary Union. Index factsheet |
| Solactive GBS Developed Markets Eurozone Large & Mid Cap | Europa Germany: 24.40% (30/11/2022) | 2 ETFs | 195 (28-06-2024) | The Solactive GBS Developed Markets Eurozone Large & Mid Cap index tracks large and mid cap securities from Eurozone countries. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28-02-2025; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
