In a nutshell: investing is investing your money to make more of it. With investing you have a chance of a higher return than with saving alone. It can be a powerful tool to grow your money. The disadvantage is that investing also involves risks and costs.
You can invest in stocks, bonds, index trackers (ETFs), investment funds and options. And that often sounds more complicated than it is. Just take a look at Easy Invest (Eenvoudig Beleggen). Everything is arranged for you and all you have to do is open the account and choose a fund based on how much risk you want to take.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"More about Easy Invest","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/easy-invest"}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Looking for more information? Check out this helpful video! In this (Dutch spoken) video, we explain more about what investing is and how you can start investing.
And are you considering investing, but not sure how? Check out our Investment Starterskit . In 5 steps you go through the basics of investing, so that you can start with more confidence. Learn in your own moment, in your way!
"},"video":{"type":"video","originalUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4b05e458121d644b/original/ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.mp4","videoPreviewURLs":["https://assets.ing.com/asset/5799e510-81eb-4929-bec2-70b6aa6d9b50/720p/ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.mp4","https://assets.ing.com/asset/5799e510-81eb-4929-bec2-70b6aa6d9b50/1080p/ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.mp4","https://assets.ing.com/asset/5799e510-81eb-4929-bec2-70b6aa6d9b50/480p/ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.mp4","https://assets.ing.com/asset/5799e510-81eb-4929-bec2-70b6aa6d9b50/mp4/ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.mp4"],"thumbnails":{"mini":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4b05e458121d644b/mini-ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.jpg","webimage":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4b05e458121d644b/webimage-ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.jpg","thul":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4b05e458121d644b/thul-ING_Explainer_Beleggen_V5.jpg"},"extension":["mp4"]}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Why start investing?"},{"alignedImage":{"extension":"svg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/19aa71fd01aef196/original/optionschoicefoodwomannopadding.svg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/684bd78e-62ff-4817-9808-f19f2b8e1c66/optionschoicefoodwomannopadding"},"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"We’re often taught to save from an early age. And compliments if you’re good at saving! Because it’s important to have money set aside for large and sometimes unforeseen expenses.
But if you don't need some of your savings for the time being, it may be worth looking into investing as well. Because with investing you often get more return on your money in the long term than if you leave it alone in a savings account.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"Saving or investing, what is right for you?","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/saving-or-investing"}]},{"body":"Start with Easy Invest and","bodyBold":"temporarily earn up to 2.25% interest","bodyThree":"on your savings, equal to the amount you newly invest. Please note: investing involves risks and costs. You may lose your investment.","componentType":"promotionalBanner","date":{"body":"This promotion is valid until","date":"2026-07-21"},"icon":{"extension":"svg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/300285ee-9cbd-4bfd-a362-e2630fe51269/Circle-Piggy-bank-10.svg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/300285ee-9cbd-4bfd-a362-e2630fe51269/Circle-Piggy-bank-10","type":"image","width":64},"textLink":{"text":"View the promotion & terms","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/easy-invest-save-and-invest-april-2026"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Getting started with investing: a step-by-step plan"},{"accordionList":[{"richBody":{"value":"As a beginning investor, it can help to keep a clear goal in mind. Do you have a dream for which you want to build up an amount over the next 5 to 20 years? For example, retiring early, buying a holiday home, or traveling for a few months? Calculate what investing (in combination with saving) could yield.
Investing is for the long term: the longer you invest (your ‘horizon’), the greater the chance that any negative return at the start will eventually be compensated for. And also: the greater your chance of a good return. Because that’s what it’s all about, right?
"},"title":"Step 1: Decide what you want to invest for and when you want to achieve it"},{"richBody":{"value":"It is not wise to start investing with money that you may need in the short term. Look at your entire financial picture. Think of your:
Is all this clear? Then you can see how much money you ‘have left’ that you can (partially) invest. You can start with a larger or smaller amount and then, for example, deposit a fixed amount each month.
"},"title":"Step 2: Calculate how much money you can invest"},{"richBody":{"value":"Investing gives you the opportunity to get more return from your money. With the help of our calculator, you can see what investing could yield.
It’s important to know that expected return and risk go hand in hand. The more risk you take, the greater the chance of a high return—but also, the greater the chance of loss.
You can influence the risks you take. If you want to start investing, good preparation is important. Therefore, read more about the risks of investing and how you can limit them.
"},"title":"Step 3: Think about return and risk"}],"componentType":"accordion"},{"componentType":"feature","featureName":"ing-investments-widget?isWidget"},{"accordionList":[{"richBody":{"value":"Do you want to invest your money in specific sectors and companies, or would you prefer to diversify as much as possible? Do you want to do everything yourself, or would you rather leave most of it to the experts? You can invest with us in three different ways: Easy Invest, Self Invest or Portfolio management.
"},"title":"Step 4: Choose how and what you want to invest in"}],"componentType":"accordion"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":""},"title":"You can invest in 4 different ways. We list them for you:"},{"cards":[{"cardSize":"medium","cardType":"product","checkMarkList":["Popular among beginners","If sustainability is also important to you","You can start with small amounts"],"componentType":"productCard","intro":"The ready-made solution, practically no worries","link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/easy-invest"},"promoText":"Promotion: Smart Saving & Investing","title":"Easy Invest"},{"cardSize":"medium","cardType":"product","checkMarkList":["Invest without fixed costs","Invest in ETFs from our ING ETF Top Selection with no transaction fees","Access to knowledge of the ING Investment Office"],"componentType":"productCard","intro":"Buying and selling independently","link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/self-invest"},"title":"Self Invest"},{"cardSize":"medium","cardType":"product","checkMarkList":["Possible from € 50,000","5 different investment strategies","Free introduction (video calling)"],"componentType":"productCard","intro":"Under the guidance of an advisor","link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/portfolio-management"},"promoText":"Promotion: Smart Saving & Investing","title":"Portfolio Management"},{"cardSize":"medium","cardType":"product","checkMarkList":["Up to 49,5% tax benefit on your contributions","Trusted at your own bank","Choose one of the five ING Select Index funds"],"componentType":"productCard","intro":"Invest now to enjoy later","link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/pension-investing"},"title":"Pension Investing"}],"componentType":"cards"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"3 beginner mistakes you don’t want to make"},{"accordionList":[{"richBody":{"value":"Whether you choose to buy and sell investments yourself or have us manage them for you, always invest with (savings) money you can afford to miss. So never invest all your money. With us, you can start Easy Invest from €10.
Tip: Do you have money left over each month? Consider how much of it you won’t need for a long time and invest this (automatically). You’ll see how this works once you start investing with us. You can always increase or decrease this amount. And you can stop at any time.
"},"title":"1. Use all your savings for investing"},{"richBody":{"value":"Always make sure your investments are well diversified. If one of your investments incurs a loss, your profitable investments can help ‘offset’ it.
If you choose Easy Invest, we take care of that diversification for you.
Are you considering investing €50,000 or more? Then, through Portfolio management, you can work with an advisor to create a personalized investment plan.
"},"title":"2. Depending exclusively on one choice"},{"richBody":{"value":"Investing is all about taking the long view. For example, if you choose an (index) fund with us, you might plan not to touch your invested money for 10 years (or barely at all).
The length of time you intend to invest is called a horizon. The shorter the horizon, the greater the chance that you might just be unlucky and see disappointing or even negative returns.
Good to know: if you start, for example, with Easy Invest with a horizon of 15 years, but you need your money after (let's say) 7 years, you can always stop.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"More about the risks and how you can limit them","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/risks-of-investing"}],"title":"3. Wanting to score too quickly"}],"componentType":"accordion"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Good to know"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Investing involves risks and costs. You may (partially) lose your investment amount. Read more about the risks of investing and how to limit them. And also view the Investment Terms and Conditions .
Investments that contribute to environmental or social goals can be part of the ING Global Index Portfolio funds within Easy Invest as well as the Sustainable (Duurzaam) investment strategy offered through Portfolio management. However, investing in such investments is not the sole purpose of these strategies, it is also important to invest in financially attractive companies. For more information about ING's Sustainable Investment Policy, please visit ing.nl/ESG.
*This translation is intended for the customer’s convenience only. In the event of any inconsistency between the English translation and the original Dutch version, the original Dutch version shall prevail.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Frequently asked questions about investing"},{"accordionList":[{"richBody":{"value":"Investing is often thought to be very complicated and it takes you a lot of time. You can, but you certainly don't have to. You can make it as complicated and time-consuming as you want.
Simple Investing, for example, is not that difficult at all. You open the account, choose from 1 of the 4 ING Global Index Portfolio funds, put in money and we do the rest. This is how simple it can be.
If you do want to invest time and learn more about investing, we are happy to help you with that. With information from our ING Investment Office, for example.
And of course you can combine it. Start with Easy Invest and also gather more knowledge about investing and also start investing yourself on the stock exchange via Self Invest.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"More about Easy Invest","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/easy-invest"},{"text":"Check out the latest stock market news","url":"/en/personal/investing/market-news-and-views"}],"title":"Start investing: something for you?"},{"richBody":{"value":"What a good amount to start with varies for everyone. It depends on several factors. Do you have enough money set aside for (unexpected) larger expenses? How much of your money will you not need for a while? What do you feel comfortable with?
You can start with as little as €10 per month. But since investing also costs money, we recommend aiming for €1,000 or more. This doesn’t have to be all at once; you can also build up your investments by setting aside, for example, €100 each month.
"},"title":"What is a good amount to start investing?"},{"richBody":{"value":"The right time to start investing is impossible to predict. No one has a crystal ball, and there’s no alarm that sounds when the lowest price is reached. An ‘all-time high’ (the highest price) of a stock doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy; it could just as easily mark the beginning of a new phase in which the price continues to rise.
In short, there’s nothing you can rely on to be certain of the ideal moment to step in.
Our tip: invest according to a personal plan and consider spreading your purchases over different moments. First, determine your investment horizon (the period you want to invest for) and your desired level of risk. Information from our experts at the ING Investment Office, for example, can also help you make investment decisions.
"},"title":"What is good time to start investing?"},{"richBody":{"value":"Investing is something you do for the long term. That way, you give your money time and opportunity to grow.
If you invest over a longer period, you generally have time to wait for your returns to recover in the event of a market downturn.
If you need your money after just a few years, for example for a holiday or renovation, it might happen that prices drop significantly during that period. In that case, you may not have enough time for the prices to recover.
"},"title":"How long should you invest?"},{"richBody":{"value":"That is different for everyone. If you have enough money set aside for larger (unexpected) expenses and won’t need the rest of your money for a longer period of time, then investing can be wise because you give your money the chance and time to grow.
"},"title":"Is investing wise?"},{"richBody":{"value":"Investing involves risks. An investment can increase in value but can also decrease.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"Read more about the risks of investing and how you can limit them","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/risks-of-investing"}],"title":"Is investing safe?"},{"richBody":{"value":"There are costs associated with investing.
With Easy Invest, you get a service fee and fund costs.
With Self Invest you pay a service fee and (possibly) transaction costs.
Good to know: for buying and selling mutual funds and the ETFs in the ING ETF Top Selection, you pay no transaction fees. For all other ETFs, you pay the same transaction fees as for stocks.
With Portfolio management, the costs include, among other things, a basic fee and a service fee.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"Read more about the costs","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/rates"}],"title":"What are the costs of investing?"},{"richBody":{"value":"The main risk with investing is that you could lose (a portion of) your money. Of course, you’d rather avoid that. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do yourself to reduce that risk.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"Read more about the risks of investing and how you can limit them","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/risks-of-investing"}],"title":"What are the risks of investing?"}],"componentType":"accordion"}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"bad8fd30-3c8b-4127-a98f-fecf75e19f21","localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Start investing at ING","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing"}},"componentType":"productHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"Find in one overview what you need to start investing. We explain what investing is, how to get started and what you should pay attention too. This way you can take your time to see if investing is something for you and which form suits you best. This page is an English translation of the original Dutch version.*","headerImage":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/f5938ec64b15242/original/Full-length-of-young-woman-jumping-against-mountain.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/91d7882a-b4c3-4fd9-a639-68c0a280d54c/Full-length-of-young-woman-jumping-against-mountain","type":"image","width":5184},"subtitle":"We are happy to help you get started.","title":"Want to start investing?"},"cta":{"componentType":"cta","textLink":{"text":"More about Easy Invest","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/easy-invest"}},"secondaryCta":{"textLink":{"text":"More about Self Invest","url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/self-invest"}}},"publishDate":"2026-04-24T16:56:09.871+02:00"}}