Antoine Bouvy
29 Apr 2025
What are the best ETFs for beginners in Belgium?
Investing in ETFs has become one of the simplest and most popular ways for Belgians to grow their money over the long term. ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds, offer an excellent combination of diversification, low costs, and ease of use, making them particularly attractive for those just starting out.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- What ETFs are exactly
- Why they’re ideal for beginners
- How to identify a good ETF
- Which ETFs are often considered suitable for beginners
- How Easyvest uses ETFs in its investment strategy
What is an ETF? A brief explanation for beginners
A Tracker (also called ETF, or Exchange Traded Fund) is an investment fund traded on the stock exchange just like a stock. Instead of investing in a single company, you buy a basket of stocks or bonds, often spread across hundreds or even thousands of companies or governments.
Key features of an ETF:
- Diversification: a single ETF can give you exposure to the entire global economy
- Low costs: ETFs are passively managed, which keeps fees low
- Transparency: you know exactly what you’re investing in
- Liquidity: ETFs are traded on the stock exchange at market price
Thanks to these characteristics, ETFs are a powerful tool, even for those with little investment experience.
Read also "ETF: everything you need to know to invest better"
Why ETFs are suitable for beginning investors
ETFs are ideal for beginners because they make it easier to invest without having to follow the stock market daily. Here are a few reasons why:
- Passive investing: ETFs track an index, such as the MSCI World, the Euro Stoxx 50 or the Bel 20 allowing you to invest in overall market performance without picking individual stocks.
- Long-term logic: studies show that passive strategies like investing in ETFs outperform most actively managed funds over the long term.
- Accessibility: with low minimum investments and user-friendly platforms, the barrier to entry has become very low.
For Belgian beginners, this means you can start building a well-diversified portfolio today with small amounts, without needing to be an expert.
What to look for when choosing an ETF
Not every ETF is automatically suitable for everyone. Here are some factors to definitely consider when choosing an ETF as a beginner:
- Underlying index: Choose a well-known, broadly diversified index like the MSCI World, S&P 500, or Euro Stoxx 50.
- Management fees (TER): The Total Expense Ratio shows the annual cost. The lower it is, the more of your return you keep.
- Replication method: Prefer physically replicated ETFs. These actually buy the underlying stocks, offering more transparency.
- Dividend policy: Accumulating ETFs automatically reinvest dividends, while distributing ETFs pay them out. For long-term investing, accumulating ETFs are often more attractive.
- Listing: Check where the ETF is listed (Euronext Brussels, Amsterdam, or Xetra). A European listing makes it easier and cheaper to invest via a Belgian broker.
Common ETFs often recommended to beginners
While we don’t give specific investment advice in this article, some ETFs are indeed often considered suitable for beginner investors in Belgium. This is because they are broadly diversified, have low fees, and are easily accessible through European exchanges.
| ETF name | Index | TER | Acc./Dist. | Exchange | Risk | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF | MSCI World | 0.20% | Acc. | Euronext | Medium | Global diversification across ~1,500 large companies in developed markets. Low cost and broad coverage make it a popular choice. |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF | FTSE All-World | 0.22% | Acc. | Euronext | Medium | Even broader than MSCI World, includes emerging markets. A true “all-in-one” ETF for global exposure. |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF | MSCI Emerging Markets | 0.18% | Acc. | Xetra | High | Focused on fast-growing markets like China, India, and Latin America. Slightly riskier but well diversified. |
| iShares MSCI Europe UCITS ETF | MSCI Europe | 0.12% | Dist. | Euronext | Medium | Focus on European companies. Interesting for those wanting to invest close to home with regular dividend payouts. |
| Lyxor MSCI World UCITS ETF | MSCI World | 0.30% | Acc. | Euronext | Medium | Alternative to the iShares version with similar diversification. Slightly higher fees, but often lower minimum purchase amounts. |
| Amundi MSCI USA UCITS ETF | MSCI USA | 0.15% | Acc. | Euronext | Medium | Focuses on the U.S. economy, a major driver of global growth. |
| iShares Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF | Clean Energy | 0.65% | Acc. | Euronext | High | Thematic ETF for those wanting to invest in sustainable energy. Interesting as a supplement to a core portfolio. |
Note: The above ETFs are frequently recommended to beginners by financial institutions and experts, but are not specific investment advice. Your choice should always depend on your goals and risk profile.
How to buy ETFs as a Belgian investor
ETFs can be purchased through various brokers or banks, depending on your preference. What’s important is to choose a platform that is easy to use, has transparent fee structures, and provides access to the ETFs you prefer.
For investors looking for a user-friendly and fully automated solution, Easyvest offers an attractive alternative. At Easyvest, you invest in carefully composed portfolios based on two simple ETFs, tailored to your profile and investment goals.
Read also "How to invest in ETFs in Belgium?"
Tax aspects of ETFs in Belgium
- Withholding tax (30%): applies to dividends from distributing ETFs
- Stock exchange tax (TOB): varies by ETF type. For equity trackers, it’s usually 0.12%
- Foreign account declaration: if you invest via a foreign broker, you’re required to declare that account with the National Bank of Belgium
Good to know: Accumulating ETFs may be more tax-efficient since they don’t pay out direct income.
Read also "What fees for an ETF?"
Common mistakes when investing in ETFs
- Buying too many ETFs: leads to overlap and unnecessary complexity
- Focusing only on past performance: past results are not a guarantee of future returns
- Ignoring costs: even small differences in TER can have a big impact over time
- No plan or strategy: investing without goals or a risk profile often results in impulsive decisions
A simple portfolio with 1 or 2 well-chosen ETFs is enough in most cases.
Tips for smart ETF investing
- Start small and regularly: with a monthly deposit (DCA strategy), you reduce the risk of poor timing
- Use a demo account or simulated portfolio: practice without risk
- Choose broad, global ETFs as a starting point: this gives you instant diversification
Easyvest’s approach to ETF investing
At Easyvest, we don’t believe in beating the market, but in following it. Scientific research consistently shows that actively trying to “time” or “beat” the market rarely works, even for professionals.
That’s why we build our portfolios exclusively with two simple, powerful ETFs:
- A global equity ETF: this tracks the performance of thousands of companies worldwide, offering excellent diversification and long-term returns
- A European government bond ETF: this provides stability and protection during volatile markets. Bonds form the defensive part of your portfolio
Thanks to this combination, we can build a custom portfolio for every client that perfectly fits their personal risk profile and investment goal. This keeps it simple, transparent, and efficient.
Conclusion – Choosing the right ETF is easier than you think
Investing doesn’t have to be complicated. By choosing one or more simple, well-diversified ETFs, you can start investing as a beginner in an accessible way. The most popular ETFs offer broad global exposure, low fees, and a logical structure that fits perfectly within a long-term strategy.
Want to make it even easier? Easyvest offers you a hassle-free way to grow your wealth with an optimized ETF portfolio, fully tailored to your needs. Start a simulation on our website to discover what your potential return could be by investing in ETFs.