Blogs about the investment market
Browse English-language blogs focused on the Dutch investment market. A great place to keep up with trends and market insights.
Effects of changes to Box 3 taxation
What you need to know about Box 3 before buying a home or starting to invest.
From our experience, we know that the Dutch tax system can be a bit confusing for many starters, especially when it’s your first time buying a home or planning how to grow your capital in the Netherlands. There is a good chance you will come across many rules and terms you haven’t heard before. In this blog, we explain how the Dutch tax system works, with a specific focus on Box 3, the part that is changing the most. ...
How do the Boxes work?
To understand why Box 3 is so important, it helps to first understand how the Dutch tax system is structured. The system consists of three parts, called boxes.
In Box 1, tax is on income earned from your job and your main home. This is the box most people are familiar with, as it directly affects your salary and monthly living costs.
In Box 2, tax applies to income from owning shares in a company. This is usually relevant for people who own a BV or have shares in a family business.
In Box 3, tax is on your savings and investments, the money you set aside for the future, outside of your own home.
In our experience, most starters understand Box 1 quickly, Box 2 usually does not apply, but Box 3 raises the most questions—especially with the new rules. That’s why we focus on Box 3 and show you how you can use the new rules to your advantage.
More about Box 3
Box 3 taxes the capital you have outside of your home, including savings, investments, and other financial assets intended for the future. Until recently, Box 3 was based on a fictional return. The government assumed a fixed return on your savings or investments, even if you didn’t actually earn that amount.
This system changed because, during periods of low interest rates, many people earned little to nothing on their savings but still paid tax as if they had earned more. Under the new system, you pay tax on your actual return, such as interest, dividends, or investment profits. This gives you more control and more opportunities to plan your financial future in a smarter way.
The opportunities for you in Box 3
Many starters come to us with the same questions about saving, investing, and how their capital affects mortgage options. We help them understand how to balance saving and investing and when it may be smart to adjust their capital before the new Box 3 rules begin. Early planning can reduce tax and improve mortgage options by showing your full financial picture. This gives you more control and supports steady, safe growth of your capital.
We help you plan for your future
Many starters feel unsure about how much capital to keep, when to buy a home, and which financial choices are best. We review your goals and situation together so you can use the new Box 3 rules effectively and avoid paying unnecessary tax.
As rules continue to change, we keep you informed and help you adjust your plans when needed. With clear advice and personal guidance, we support you step by step so you can make confident financial decisions, now and in the future.
Investment trends:
Investing for what truly matters
A lot of people think that investing is only about making money, but in reality investing starts with your personal goals. Money is a tool and not the objective itself. Each goal requires a different strategy, and in my role as financial advisor, I see many people start investing without a clear goal. Investing without a plan can lead to bad decisions and increased risk. ...
What does it mean to invest with a goal?
When starting to invest, you need to determine your time horizon and risk tolerance. Long-term goals allow for more risk because there is time to recover. Short-term goals require more stable products to avoid losing money before achieving the goal.
The importance of sustainability
Sustainability has become a key topic in investing. Many investors want their money to contribute to social and environmental change. Research shows that almost 90% of investors worldwide are interested in sustainability (Morgan Stanley, 2025).
Retirement as a long-term goal
Retirement is a major financial goal. Good planning and disciplined investing are essential. Investing small amounts regularly can grow significantly over time. As an advisor, I help clients understand their risk tolerance and build a strategy to grow their capital.
Saving for a short-term goal
For short-term goals, lower-risk strategies are recommended. Sustainable bonds and defensive funds are often used as they move less than other funds, helping minimize risk.
Managing multiple goals at the same time
Clients often have multiple financial goals. I help divide portfolios by goal, adjusting strategies based on time horizon and risk profile. This separation keeps investments clear, reduces stress, and ensures that short-term goals are protected even if the market fluctuates.
Why sustainability supports long-term goals
Sustainable investing aligns with long-term growth. Companies managing environmental and social risks are often better prepared for change and regulatory shifts, supporting long-term performance. At RIJS, we advise sustainable bonds and funds to create value and protect clients’ capital (ABP, 2025).
How we support our clients
At RIJS, we start by understanding your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. Based on this, we create a tailored investment strategy and continuously monitor your portfolio to align with your life. This approach provides peace of mind and a stable financial future.
