Commission seeks feedback on a European blueprint for Savings and Investments Accounts
The European Commission has invited citizens and stakeholders to contribute to the development of a European blueprint for savings and investments accounts. This initiative, part of the Savings and Investments Union strategy, aims to facilitate citizens’ participation in capital markets, enhancing returns on their savings while increasing funding available for EU companies to help them grow, innovate and create jobs.
The Commission’s call for evidence seeks input on best practices to make savings and investments accounts a convenient entry point to capital markets for retail investors. This includes consideration on the tax treatment of such accounts.
Facilitating EU citizens’ easy and low-cost access to diverse investment opportunities is essential to encourage them to invest in capital markets. Savings and investments accounts could offer more and better opportunities to save and build wealth for major events, such as retirement, buying a home or funding children’s education. These accounts allow individuals to hold capital market instruments such as stocks of listed companies, bonds and shares in investment funds in an easy to use and accessible way, and can benefit from tax incentives or simple tax procedures.
Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Maria Luís Albuquerque, said: “We want to create a European blueprint for savings and investments accounts, designed to benefit our citizens as well as the wider economy. Experience in some Member States has shown the potential of this approach, by widening investment opportunities and increasing returns on savings for retail investors. Now, this needs to be replicated at EU level, drawing on the best practices already in place in some countries. That is why we are asking our consumers and stakeholders to send us their feedback – and we look forward to benefiting from their wisdom and experience. “
The Commission invites EU citizens and stakeholders, including civil society, consumers associations, social partners, businesses, financial market participants and Member State authorities, to submit their views on the Have your Say portal. The call for evidence will be open for four weeks. The contributions will be taken into account by the Commission when drafting its Recommendation on establishing savings and investment accounts, expected in the third quarter of 2025.
