for questions that relate to the laws, practices, and products of the European Union (EU).

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0answers
61 views

Opening a bank account in Europe for trading purposes

I'm interested in opening a bank account in Europe, but I really don't know where to start. I will be using this bank account for currency trading purposes I need the bank to have low to none ...
4
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1answer
52 views

How do euro hedged index funds work?

I was trying to find a S&P 500 tracking fund and came across this one. db x-trackers S&P 500 Euro Hedged Index UCITS ETF. Can anyone explain what the Euro hedging means and how it is supposed ...
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0answers
55 views

How can a beginner start an investment portfolio in Europe (France)?

I have been lurking, reading information about personal finances for a few months (if not years) now, but I didn't get the chance to start because I don't know where to start. Here is the thing: I am ...
2
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2answers
177 views

Can I deduct taxes for home office as a freelance computer software developer?

I am currently working as a freelancer in Belgium for a company developing computer software. In the contract it says that the work is done at client's office and each day I work from the office. I've ...
0
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1answer
69 views

EU deposit guarantee fund for failed state guarantee

I am not able to find reliable information on this topic. Generally speaking, all deposits in EU banks are secured by national guarantee fund up to about 100k. Image a national fund would fail because ...
0
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1answer
135 views

VAT and duties payable when importing personal goods from Switzerland and the Channel Islands to the EU?

Switzerland is a pretty murky one: it's part of the Schengen zone (so there are no physical borders) but it's not part of the European Union Customs Union so you have to pay duties when exiting and ...
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2answers
532 views

U.S. VISA gift cards and usage in Europe; technical and/or legislative insight?

Can you use any U.S. gift card anywhere in the world to pay at a counter with a VISA logo? I read on some web sites that U.S. gift cards don't work in Europe, but no reason was given, others were ...
2
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1answer
616 views

International transfer: is IBAN code enough for a transition?

Do I need to know the bank name if I want to electronically transfer money to a private and I only know his name, surname and IBAN ? It seems that I need to know the BIC (SWIFT), or the bank name, in ...
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3answers
120 views

Index funds options for European Union citizens

U.S citizens can easily purchase Vanguard etfs to invest in indexed stocks or bonds. Are there any similar options for EU citizens, and which?
1
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1answer
104 views

Short term savings

I want to save about €1500 ($2000) in 5-7 months and then take out the money and buy something specific. There is a pretty low probability that I should need some of it during the first 4 months, but ...
2
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1answer
40 views

Do we know the simulated shocks used in EU bank stress tests?

The official document released only contains the outcomes of the stress tests. Does anyone know what shocks were specifically used? Was that information publicly released? Please note that the fact ...
7
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3answers
1k views

How can a person protect his savings against a country default?

I'm a middle-class citizen, currently living in a EU country (Greece in my case). How can I protect my little savings (that I currently have in a Greek bank) against a country default, like the one ...
5
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1answer
217 views

What is the usual delay for a SEPA transaction?

I wired some money from France to someone having an account in Germany, using a SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) My bank acknowledged the transfer, and the person is telling me his didn't. He is ...
3
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2answers
305 views

Does a European country take out tax from paycheck for a contract employee who is a US citizen?

If a US citizen works in a European country whose currency is Euro for a European company on a contract job (which pays by the hour), does the company take out tax deductions in advance from the ...
6
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2answers
681 views

If a US citizen works in Europe as a consultant, what are the tax consequences?

I am US citizen and professional software consultant. If I get a contract position, lets say in the UK or Switzerland for a European company, do I pay taxes to that country, or to IRS? Does it matter ...
12
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8answers
2k views

Can I buy only 4 shares of a company?

I haven't traded yet online but I wanted to try, just to see. I'm in Europe and I'd like to buy 4 shares of Apple (it's about $344 as I write this, so I would invest about $1376). Can I just open ...
5
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2answers
194 views

Should LLC be opened in US or overseas?

I am a dual US and EU citizen looking to open an investment holding company under an LLC. For optimal tax circumstances, should the LLC be opened in the US or overseas?
2
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2answers
155 views

ESPP taxes after relocating from Europe to the United States?

I was working for company X(Europe) where I was enrolled in ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Program). After a few months when I sold the stock I received an offer from the X(US) "the mother company" to ...
1
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1answer
92 views

Using stock markets in Europe, how can I buy commodities / resources, to diversify my portfolio?

I am in Europe and I would like to differentiate my portfolio in buying resources, such as oil, sulphuric acid, titanium etc. Of course not in material form, but as stocks. How can I achieve this?
4
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1answer
324 views

Considering inflation, what's the value of Euro today (January, 2011) compared to 2005?

So what would be 1000 Euro from 2005 worth today (January, 2011), considering the inflation?
3
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2answers
264 views

How does moving to another country affect ones savings & investment plans?

The question is related to this one, but I am more interested in investments than savings. Here's my situation. I'm in my 20s and I'm currently in the US, but a EU citizen; I have saved up a bit of ...
3
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1answer
152 views

Why are gasoline prices so hugely different between America and Europe?

I noticed in several cases it's triple or more.
9
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3answers
1k views

Why can't a US state default, but a EU state can?

I'm new here so I'm not sure if this type of question is appropriate on this site. I live in the EU (Italy) and I'm quite concerned (probably not the only one now in EU) about the possibility of some ...
24
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8answers
12k views

What happens to my savings if my country defaults or restructures its debt?

I live in a eurozone country that a lot of people think will soon default or restructure its debt. My family has a savings account in a bank here. A similar question has been asked before, but it ...
3
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1answer
198 views

Wandering EU worker: Pension / retirement fund if working in multiple countries?

I am European, always worked in Europe in many different countries, and I have pension funds scattered around all the old continent. The EU legal system does not allow pension fund transfer among ...
5
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2answers
189 views

Which EU or Turkish bank will issue a debit card to a non-resident from Ukraine?

I live in Ukraine and I want to get a debit card in any other country, preferably in EU or Turkey. Please advice a bank which can issue this kind of card (debit card) for me.