Savings goal — how much per month to reach X?
Target amount, deadline, starting amount — calc monthly deposit. Saving vs investing comparison with inflation and historical ETF return.
Compute your monthly deposit
Set your goal, runway, and expected return. Numbers update live, nothing leaves your browser.
Time horizon 10 years
How many years to reach it
Expected annual return 4.0%
Savings account ~1%, deposit ~2.5%, mixed portfolio ~4%, stocks long-term ~6-7%
Monthly deposit needed
€0
to reach your goal
Total deposited
€0
Interest earned
€0
Final balance
€0
Balance over time
Your deposits
Interest
Information, not advice. Returns are projections, not guarantees. See "How to read this" below for caveats.
In short
How much to save or invest monthly to reach a goal depends on three variables: target amount, time to goal, and return you expect. Four main routes 2026: (1) Savings account: interest ~2-3% at Bunq Plus, ASN, Triodos. Safe (DGS deposit guarantee up to €100k), but 2.5% inflation eats almost all. Real return: ~0%. (2) Deposit account: fixed rate 2-3% for 1-5 yrs at Aegon, MoneYou. Slightly higher than daily, but locked. (3) ETF investing via DEGIRO / Trade Republic / Bux Zero: historical MSCI World ~7-8% per year (1990-2024 average), after inflation ~5%. Volatility high (can -30% in 1 yr). Works on horizon >5 yrs. (4) Lijfrente (pension-focused): Box 1 deductible but withdrawal only from AOW. Rules of thumb: short horizon (10 yrs) = mostly investing. Compounding magic: €200/mo from 25 to 67 at 7% nominal = €614k. Same amount in savings at 3%: €200k. Difference: €414k. Time + compound interest is literally your most important asset. Important Box 3: investments above exemption €57,684 single / €115,368 partners get taxed. Avoid by keeping money in lijfrente (Box 1) or within exemption. Inflation reality: €100,000 over 30 yrs at 2.5% inflation has purchasing power of only ~€47,000 today. Always calculate in "real" terms.
You enter
- Target amount — What do you want to save? E.g., house deposit (€30k), world trip (€15k), emergency fund (€10k), or retirement capital (€200k).
- Deadline in years — When do you want the amount? Determines whether investing or saving is wiser.
- Current balance — What you already have for this goal. More = less needed monthly. Compounding works on this starting amount.
- Risk appetite — Conservative = savings 2-3%. Moderate = mix savings+ETF 4-5%. High = mostly ETF 6-7%. Depends on horizon + sleep at night.
- Inflation correction — Calculate in nominal or real euros? Long-term goals: real (after inflation) more realistic. Short: nominal sufficient.
You get back
- Monthly deposit — What to deposit monthly to reach goal by deadline. Three scenarios by return.
- Final capital at 3 returns — What you actually have on deadline: pessimistic (3%), realistic (5%), optimistic (7%). Helps calibrate expectations.
- Savings vs investing comparison — Monthly amount needed in both routes. Visible difference in final capital at equal monthly amount.
- Real-return effect (inflation-adjusted) — What €100,000 over X yrs is worth in today's purchasing power. Crucial for retirement goals.
- Box 3 impact at goal achievement — How much Box 3 tax you pay on growth above exemption. At €200k goal: ~€500-800/yr tax pressure.
The math behind it
Monthly deposit = (target − current × (1+r)^n) / (((1+r)^n − 1) / r × 12)
Where:
• r = annual return (decimal, e.g., 0.05 for 5%)
• n = years to deadline
• target = what you want to reach (nominal or real — choose consistently)
Final capital = (current × (1+r)^n) + (monthly deposit × ((1+r)^n − 1) / r × 12)
Real return (after inflation):
r_real = (1 + r_nominal) / (1 + inflation) − 1
Example: 7% nominal − 2.5% inflation = ~4.4% real.
Historical MSCI World (1990-2024): 7.8% average nominal. Savings rate DNB: 2026 ~2.5-3.3% (variable per bank). CBS inflation: 2024 ~3.5%, 2025 ~2.7% (volatile recent years). Box 3 correction: investing above exemption lowers net return ~1% due to tax.
Where:
• r = annual return (decimal, e.g., 0.05 for 5%)
• n = years to deadline
• target = what you want to reach (nominal or real — choose consistently)
Final capital = (current × (1+r)^n) + (monthly deposit × ((1+r)^n − 1) / r × 12)
Real return (after inflation):
r_real = (1 + r_nominal) / (1 + inflation) − 1
Example: 7% nominal − 2.5% inflation = ~4.4% real.
Historical MSCI World (1990-2024): 7.8% average nominal. Savings rate DNB: 2026 ~2.5-3.3% (variable per bank). CBS inflation: 2024 ~3.5%, 2025 ~2.7% (volatile recent years). Box 3 correction: investing above exemption lowers net return ~1% due to tax.
Worked example
Robin, 28, wants €30,000 for house deposit in 5 yrs:
• Current balance: €3,000
• Target: €30,000
• Time: 5 yrs
Option 1 — Savings 3%:
Current over 5 yrs: €3,000 × (1.03)^5 = €3,478
Needed from monthly: €30,000 − €3,478 = €26,522
Monthly deposit: €26,522 / 64.8 = €409/mo.
Option 2 — ETF investing 7%:
Current: €3,000 × (1.07)^5 = €4,207
Needed: €25,793
Monthly: €25,793 / 71.7 = €360/mo.
Difference: €49/mo less when investing.
Risk: market crash −30% year 4: portfolio drops to ~€15k → goal not reached. Robin must be willing to delay goal or raise deposit. 5-yr horizon is borderline: pure ETF risky. Mix 60% savings + 40% ETF: €383/mo at expected return, with lower volatility.
Lisa, 30, retirement buffer €200,000 in 30 yrs:
• Current: €5,000
• Target: €200,000 (in today's euros)
• Time: 30 yrs
• Inflation 2.5% → nominal target €420,000
At 5% real return (~7.5% nominal):
Current over 30 yrs: €5,000 × (1.075)^30 = €43,700
Needed: €420,000 − €43,700 = €376,300
Monthly: €376,300 / 1357 = ~€277/mo nominal.
Inflation-corrected you start low (~€165 in today's euros) and grow with salary. Use lijfrente annual room → ~€100/mo tax benefit.
• Current balance: €3,000
• Target: €30,000
• Time: 5 yrs
Option 1 — Savings 3%:
Current over 5 yrs: €3,000 × (1.03)^5 = €3,478
Needed from monthly: €30,000 − €3,478 = €26,522
Monthly deposit: €26,522 / 64.8 = €409/mo.
Option 2 — ETF investing 7%:
Current: €3,000 × (1.07)^5 = €4,207
Needed: €25,793
Monthly: €25,793 / 71.7 = €360/mo.
Difference: €49/mo less when investing.
Risk: market crash −30% year 4: portfolio drops to ~€15k → goal not reached. Robin must be willing to delay goal or raise deposit. 5-yr horizon is borderline: pure ETF risky. Mix 60% savings + 40% ETF: €383/mo at expected return, with lower volatility.
Lisa, 30, retirement buffer €200,000 in 30 yrs:
• Current: €5,000
• Target: €200,000 (in today's euros)
• Time: 30 yrs
• Inflation 2.5% → nominal target €420,000
At 5% real return (~7.5% nominal):
Current over 30 yrs: €5,000 × (1.075)^30 = €43,700
Needed: €420,000 − €43,700 = €376,300
Monthly: €376,300 / 1357 = ~€277/mo nominal.
Inflation-corrected you start low (~€165 in today's euros) and grow with salary. Use lijfrente annual room → ~€100/mo tax benefit.
How to read the result
- Saving vs investing — horizon decidesUnder 3 yrs: savings (no time to recover from crash). 3-10 yrs: mix (50/50 or 60/40 ETF/savings). Over 10 yrs: mostly ETF. Over 20 yrs: pure ETF historically always profit — risk mainly shorter periods.
- Inflation eats savings2.5% inflation + 3% savings rate = 0.5% real return. Effectively: nominal growth but purchasing power barely. ETF historical 7.8% nominal − 2.5% inflation = 5% real — ten times better than savings long-term.
- Dollar-cost averaging beats lump sum (sometimes)Monthly deposit "DCA" reduces timing risk: you buy shares at high and low prices. Historically: lump sum (invest all at once) performs slightly better ~70% of the time. But emotionally better sleep with DCA. For goal money: DCA almost always wiser.
- Box 3 tax counts above €57,684 exemptionInvesting above €57,684 (single) or €115,368 (partners) on 1 Jan: Box 3 tax 36% on (notional or actual) return. Effect: net return ~1% lower. Tip: use lijfrente or pension pot to keep wealth outside Box 3.
- €10k emergency fund before investingRule of thumb: 3-6 months fixed expenses in savings for emergencies (job loss, broken car, illness). Then invest for long-term goals. Without buffer, a setback forces selling investments at bad moments.
Key terms
- DGS (Deposit Guarantee Scheme)
- Statutory savings guarantee up to €100,000 per person per bank on bankruptcy. NL banks affiliated via DNB.
- MSCI World
- Global stock index with ~1,500 large companies from developed countries (US, EU, Japan, UK, etc.). Standard benchmark for ETF investing.
- Compound interest
- Interest on interest. Effect: growth is exponential, not linear. €100 over 30 yrs at 7% = €761 (not €310 linear).
- ETF
- Exchange-Traded Fund. Basket of stocks or bonds trading as one share. Low costs (0.1-0.5%/yr). Examples: VWCE, IWDA, IUSA.
- DCA
- Dollar-Cost Averaging. Fixed amount monthly, regardless of price. Reduces timing risk, easy to sustain.
- Real vs nominal return
- Nominal = gross return. Real = after inflation. For long-term goals, real counts. Rule of thumb: nominal − inflation = real.
- Volatility
- Short-term value fluctuation. ETF: annual standard deviation ~15-20%. Savings: 0%. High volatility = high return long-term, but you must endure the long period.
Frequently asked
Which is safer: saving or investing?
Short-term (15 yrs): investing safer because inflation eats savings. Rule of thumb: anything you need within 3 yrs = savings. Anything >10 yrs away = invest. In between = mix. Start with €10k buffer in savings, then invest rest.
Which ETF for global investing?
VWCE (Vanguard FTSE All-World): ~3,500 global companies, 0.22% costs. IWDA (iShares MSCI World): ~1,500 developed-market companies, 0.20% costs. IUSA + IEMA combo: same coverage as VWCE but split. At DEGIRO: VWCE and IWDA in "Core Selection" (free buy 1x/month). At Trade Republic / Bux Zero: same, free. Avoid: actively managed funds (high costs, lower average return).
How do I avoid Box 3 tax on investments?
Three main routes: (1) Stay below exemption: €57,684 single / €115,368 partners on 1 Jan. Larger portfolio: spread end of Dec temporarily (legitimate). (2) Lijfrente: pillar-3 product, Box 1 deductible, no Box 3 tax. Withdrawal only from AOW. (3) Own home: paying off mortgage is "investment" in own home, outside Box 3 (but Box 1 imputed value applies). For ZZP: fully use lijfrente annual room = ~€1,500-3,000/yr tax saving + growth outside Box 3.
What is the best savings account 2026?
Top rates Nov 2025: Bunq Plus 2.75%, ASN 2.4%, Triodos 2.3%, RegioBank 2.2%, NIBC 2.1%. Watch out: rates change monthly. Some banks offer 3-4% intro rate for first 3-6 months, then back to 2%. Tip: pick bank with good app + low or no fees. Check spaarrente.nl for current comparison. DGS guarantee up to €100k at all NL banks — safe.
How much emergency fund do I need?
Rule of thumb: 3-6 months fixed expenses in savings. Fixed = rent/mortgage + utilities + healthcare + food + insurance. Average family: €10-20k buffer. ZZP'ers: prefer 6-12 months due to uncertain income. Stable-employment-married-30-with-kids: 4 months. Single-employed-no-fixed-costs: 3 months.
Complex situations
Edge cases that typical net-pay tools skip but actually matter for a real Dutch tax situation. Each one assumes the basic case above and tells you what changes.
Market crash mid-save period — continue or flee?
On −30-40% crash like 2008 or 2020-COVID: your portfolio is suddenly worth much less. What to do: continue with DCA (monthly deposit). Statistically MSCI World recovers within 1-3 yrs of severe crash. Selling at bottom is the biggest wealth destroyer — loss gets "realized". Tip: set up automatic monthly deposit — forces you to keep buying when prices are low (=cheaper). Mentally: don't check portfolio daily. Only annual rebalancing suffices for long-term goals.
Goal deadline shifts — adjust plan
Life changes: deadline moves up or back. Earlier goal: monthly deposit must rise or target lower. Example: 5 yrs → 3 yrs for house deposit: monthly amount rises 70%. Later goal: favorable — compound works longer. Monthly deposit can drop. Example: 5 yrs → 7 yrs = ~30% lower monthly needed. Other option: choose riskier route on longer horizon (more ETF instead of savings). Expected return rises → lower deposit sufficient.
30% ruling expat — golden chance for pillar 3
With 30% ruling you have ~30% extra net income. Two mistakes: (1) Spend all on lifestyle — painfully phased out after 5 yrs. (2) Don't invest long-term — miss the golden 5-yr window. Better: route the 30% portion directly to lijfrente or ETF portfolio. Example: €100k gross = €14k extra net/yr from 30%. Deposit €10k in lijfrente (Box 1 deduction €3,700) + €4k in ETF. 5 yrs later: €75k saved with effective cost €55k. When 30% ends: lifestyle doesn't need to drop because you weren't spending more.
Variable-rate savings — rate drops
Banks (especially Bunq, ASN) have variable savings rates they can change monthly. On ECB rate cuts: rate can drop from 3% to 1% in 6 months. Strategy: large portfolio (€50k+) split into savings + deposit account (fixed 1-5 yr). Aegon and MoneYou offer deposits up to 5% fixed for 5 yrs. Downside: money locked, early withdrawal costs interest. Mix: 50% liquid savings (emergency access) + 50% 3-yr deposit (higher fixed rate). Also: DGS guarantee up to €100k per bank — for >€100k: spread across multiple banks.
Investment account above Box 3 exemption
Portfolio >€57,684 (single) triggers Box 3 tax. Actual-return choice (2026+): on €100k portfolio with €8,000 return, pay ~36% on portion above exemption = ~€1,000 tax/yr. Effect: net return drops from 8% to ~7%. Strategies to reduce Box 3 burden: (1) Shift to lijfrente (Box 1, deductible). (2) Pay down own home extra (no Box 3). (3) Optimal partner-wealth split (exemption × 2). (4) Build pension pot via employer. Combining all four = minimize total Box 3 burden.
Crypto as savings goal — extreme volatility
Cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile: −70% in 1 yr (2018, 2022). At €30,000 goal over 5 yrs with 50% crypto: realistic chance of having €15k OR €60k at deadline. Not suitable for concrete goals. Yes: small allocation (5-10% of portfolio) for those who can stomach it. Box 3 treatment: same as investments (6.17% category), valued on 1 Jan, NL exchanges report to Tax Office since 2023.
What this tool doesn't do
This tool calculates monthly deposit for savings goals based on rate / return / inflation 2026. Many complex situations are worked out above. Out of scope: alternative investments (real-estate crowdfunding, P2P loans, art), foreign savings accounts (DGS coverage varies), CFD/options/derivatives. For your real situation: use tool as starting point, actual execution via bank of choice or broker.