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 2 indices which are tracked by ETFs. Besides these indices, 2 alternative indices are available.
As further alternative, you can consider indices on the Eurozone.
Performance of German stocks (DAX®)
1 month: 4,78%
1 year: 18,35%
3 years: 28,32%
5 years: 45,31%
Indices in comparison
The best indices for ETFs on Germany
For an investment in the German stock market, there are 2 indices available which are tracked by 6 ETFs. On the DAX® index there are 5 ETFs. On the FTSE Germany All Cap index there is 1 ETF. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0,09% p.a. and 0,16% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DAX® | Duitsland | 5 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 |
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 |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m EUR | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core DAX UCITS ETF (DE)DE0005933931 | 6.546 | 0,16% p.a. | Accumulerend | Duitsland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers DAX UCITS ETF 1CLU0274211480 | 4.683 | 0,09% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi ETF DAX UCITS ETF DRFR0010655712 | 789 | 0,10% p.a. | Accumulerend | Frankrijk | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi DAX III UCITS ETF AccLU0252633754 | 782 | 0,15% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Vanguard Germany All Cap UCITS ETF DistributingIE00BG143G97 | 153 | 0,10% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares Core DAX® UCITS ETF (DE) EUR (Dist)DE000A2QP331 | 30 | 0,16% p.a. | Distribueren | Duitsland | Volledige replicatie |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE Germany All Cap | 1,36% | 3,28% | 5,82% | 18,99% | 17,95% | |
| DAX® | 1,90% | 3,77% | 6,02% | 20,34% | 27,63% |
| Index | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | 2021 in % | 2020 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE Germany All Cap | 15,13% | 19,22% | -17,57% | 13,36% | 3,75% | |
| DAX® | 16,51% | 19,54% | -12,88% | 15,24% | 2,90% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30-11-2024; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best Germany ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | Xtrackers DAX UCITS ETF 1C | 20,44% |
| 2 | iShares Core DAX UCITS ETF (DE) | 20,34% |
| 3 | iShares Core DAX® UCITS ETF (DE) EUR (Dist) | 20,30% |
The cheapest Germany ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
| 1 | Xtrackers DAX UCITS ETF 1C | 0,09% p.a. |
| 2 | Amundi ETF DAX UCITS ETF DR | 0,10% p.a. |
| 3 | Vanguard Germany All Cap UCITS ETF Distributing | 0,10% p.a. |
Alternative investment opportunities
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 2 alternative indices on Germany tracked by 3 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these alternative indices is between 0,15% p.a. and 0,20% 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 |
| 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 |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m EUR | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco MDAX UCITS ETF AIE00BHJYDV33 | 204 | 0,19% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Geoptimaliseerde sampling | |
| Amundi MDAX UCITS ETF DistFR0011857234 | 55 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribueren | Frankrijk | Niet-gefinancierde swap | |
| Amundi DAX 50 ESG UCITS ETF DR (C)LU2240851688 | 23 | 0,15% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDAX® | -1,17% | 2,36% | -1,93% | 0,09% | -23,26% | |
| DAX® 50 ESG+ | 0,28% | 0,98% | 2,72% | 15,96% | 19,43% |
| Index | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | 2021 in % | 2020 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDAX® | -3,40% | 7,55% | -28,72% | 13,72% | 8,18% | |
| DAX® 50 ESG+ | 12,28% | 19,64% | -15,16% | 15,25% | - |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30-11-2024; 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 0,24% 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 |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m EUR | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF (DE)DE0005933956 | 7.583 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribueren | Duitsland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares Core EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE00B53L3W79 | 4.419 | 0,10% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF 1CLU0380865021 | 4.148 | 0,09% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares Core MSCI EMU UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE00B53QG562 | 3.941 | 0,12% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares Core EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)IE0008471009 | 3.879 | 0,10% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF 1DLU0274211217 | 3.654 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi EURO STOXX 50 II UCITS ETF AccFR0007054358 | 2.824 | 0,24% p.a. | Accumulerend | Frankrijk | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF EUR (C)LU1681047236 | 2.261 | 0,09% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares EURO STOXX UCITS ETF (DE)DE000A0D8Q07 | 2.061 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribueren | Duitsland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers MSCI EMU UCITS ETF 1DLU0846194776 | 1.389 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| HSBC EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF EURIE00B4K6B022 | 1.006 | 0,05% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Invesco EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWX25 | 820 | 0,05% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Niet-gefinancierde swap | |
| Amundi EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF DR - EUR (D)LU1681047319 | 615 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI EMU UCITS ETF (EUR) A-disLU0147308422 | 557 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| UBS ETF (LU) EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF (EUR) A-disLU0136234068 | 490 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi MSCI EMU UCITS ETF DistLU1646360971 | 311 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| SPDR MSCI EMU UCITS ETFIE00B910VR50 | 253 | 0,18% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi MSCI EMU UCITS ETF AccLU1646361276 | 97 | 0,12% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi Prime Eurozone UCITS ETF DR (C)LU2089238112 | 67 | 0,05% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| HSBC EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE000MWUQBJ0 | 63 | 0,05% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi Prime Eurozone UCITS ETF DR (D)LU1931974429 | 31 | 0,05% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Invesco EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF DistIE00B5B5TG76 | 22 | 0,05% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Niet-gefinancierde swap | |
| Amundi EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF DR USD (C)LU1681047400 | 13 | 0,09% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solactive GBS Developed Markets Eurozone Large & Mid Cap | -2,14% | -3,72% | -4,10% | 10,50% | 18,48% | |
| EURO STOXX® | -0,90% | -2,17% | -2,78% | 11,69% | 18,89% | |
| MSCI EMU | -0,86% | -2,24% | -2,67% | 11,94% | 19,40% | |
| EURO STOXX® 50 | -1,49% | -2,75% | -2,99% | 12,92% | 29,26% |
| Index | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | 2021 in % | 2020 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solactive GBS Developed Markets Eurozone Large & Mid Cap | 6,99% | 20,09% | -12,01% | 25,57% | - | |
| EURO STOXX® | 8,20% | 18,99% | -12,09% | 22,41% | 0,55% | |
| MSCI EMU | 8,44% | 19,29% | -12,35% | 23,17% | -0,76% | |
| EURO STOXX® 50 | 9,41% | 22,79% | -9,20% | 23,49% | -3,08% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30-11-2024; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.