The perfect savings plan for your child — built securely, saved flexibly

No! Our advice is completely free and non-binding for you. We only earn something if you decide on a product after the consultation - and only through commissions from the providers, which are already included in the product price. So you don't pay a cent more than if you go directly to the provider. The difference: you get professional advice and long-term support - at no extra charge.

Completely honest and transparent: we receive a commission from the product providers if you decide on a product after our advice. This is regulated by law and is already included in the price - so you don't pay a cent more. The big difference to others: We deliberately take lower commissions and pass these savings on to you. This one-off commission enables us to look after you for years to come - at no extra cost to you. We only profit when you profit.

No — for two reasons. First, as registered brokers we are legally required to advise in your interest. Second, and this usually convinces more: in the strategy call we compare providers live on screen, with your numbers. You see for yourself why one solution leads — and can verify every recommendation.

In principle only when profits are realised or paid out — not before. Within the policy you can even switch funds without triggering tax. We run through the details with your numbers in the strategy call.

There is no lock-in from our side — you can adjust, pause or exit at any time. Honestly though: the plan plays out its strengths over long terms. That is why we plan a rate together that you can sustain even in bad months.

Honest answer: it is harder, because many providers are out due to US reporting duties (FATCA) — only a few remain. That is exactly what we check for your specific case in the strategy call, before you sign anything.

We mainly offer advice online via Zoom - which is much more convenient for you as a parent! In the evening after the children's program, at the weekend or whenever it suits you. No driving, no searching for a parking space. On-site appointments are of course also possible if you prefer. However, most families love the flexibility of online consultations - especially with small children, it's simply more relaxed.

Absolutely! You always retain full control over your money. We don't manage it ourselves - it goes through large, state-regulated insurance companies in Germany. You get all the access data and can see online at any time how much money there is and how it is developing. We can never access your money without your consent.

Yes, you have absolute flexibility: pause (temporarily stop the savings plan), reduce (reduce monthly contributions), partial withdrawal (withdraw only part of the money) or cancel completely (cancel everything). There is no fixed commitment, just a short notice period of one month. No penalties, no hidden costs - your flexibility comes first!

You can get started for as little as €25 a month! No pressure, no high minimum amounts. Every euro counts if you start early. You can also make additional one-off payments at any time - for birthdays, Christmas or when you have some left over. This way, your assets grow even faster.

Over the last 50 years, the global equity market has returned an average of 9.7% per year - and as much as 12.7% per year over the last 15 years. We conservatively calculate around 9.7% for the future. Example: €100 per month over 18 years = approx. €40,000-45,000 final capital. Important: These are average values over many years. Things can go downhill in the short term - that's why long-term thinking is so important.

Sources: Finanztip, MSCI World (net return, in euro terms, in Deutsche Mark until 1998), 1975 to end of 2024. For the 15-year figure: fondsweb, iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (ISIN IE00B4L5Y983), annualised performance under the BVI method in euro, as at 30 June 2026.

Yes, this is possible, especially in the first few years. Markets fluctuate - sometimes -20% to -30%, acquisition costs are distributed at the beginning and in the short term the value can be less than the contributions paid in. However, those who persevere in the long term (at least 10-15 years) benefit historically from market recoveries and the compound interest effect. This is why the right investment horizon is so important.

Very important: We do not manage your money ourselves! This is handled by large, state-regulated insurance companies in Germany. Your money is invested there exclusively in low-cost ETFs that you select together with us. We just help you find the right solution and set everything up correctly. You retain full control and can view your securities account at any time.

We are a German company based in Stuttgart. ETF4Kids is a registered trademark and an officially registered GmbH. All our partners are renowned, state-regulated providers in Germany - you benefit from German consumer protection and legal certainty. Our team consists of experienced financial advisors with an academic background. Many of us are parents ourselves and know exactly what is important when building up assets for children.

Banks mainly sell their own, often more expensive products. We are independent and always choose the cheapest and best product on the market. Example: Bank savings plan at 1.5 % vs. ETF policy at 9.7 % = with EUR 100 per month over 18 years around EUR 20,000 difference! Further advantages: Personal, long-term support, more time for detailed advice, no sales pressure, only honest advice.

The savings plan continues. The only condition is that a German or European bank account remains in place. Dubai, India, the USA or back to your country of origin — we have accompanied many families through exactly this. Do bring the question to the Clarity Call anyway: it affects which provider is right for you, and that is better settled beforehand.

There are two safety nets on two levels. At fund level a depositary holds the fund’s assets separately from the fund company’s own. If the fund company fails, those assets stay outside its insolvency estate — this applies across the EU to all UCITS funds. At insurer level they sit in the Anlagestock, a ring-fenced division of the Sicherungsvermögen (§ 125 (5) VAG), from which policyholder claims are met first — plus the Protektor guarantee fund, which every German life insurer belongs to and which takes over and continues the contracts of a failed provider.

In Germany tax changes regularly apply to new contracts, not existing ones — as was the case with pension taxation in 2005, for example. Starting early generally secures the rules that applied when you signed. That is not a guarantee for the future, but it is the reliable practice of recent decades.

No — but the residence permit is the single point that most often holds a case up, so we check it early rather than late. In the Clarity Call we go through what you will need: your residence permits, your child’s ID or birth certificate, and a German or European IBAN. If a permit is close to expiring, we plan around it instead of running into it at the signing stage.

No — that is the core of our recommendation. The contract is in your name, not the child’s. You decide when to hand over: at 18, at 25, or in stages. A contract in the child’s own name, by contrast, transfers full control automatically on their 18th birthday — whether the moment suits or not.

Then you can get to it at any time. Withdrawals are possible without extra charges — in full or in part — and the monthly amount can be paused or lowered when things get tight. An emergency does not break the plan; at most it pauses it.

Any time: raise, lower, pause. Many families start with €25 or €50 and increase when parental leave ends or income grows. The plan follows your life, not the other way round.