Bitvavo vs comdirect — Dutch crypto exchange vs German full-bank direct bank
Bitvavo (Bitvavo B.V., MiCA + BaFin custody licence, EUR account) and comdirect (Commerzbank subsidiary, BaFin, fully steuereinfach) are complementary tools. Bitvavo: 400+ spot crypto coins at 0.15% maker / 0.25% taker, self-custody, 30+ staking coins. comdirect: €4.90 + 0.25% order (min €9.90), 576 action ETFs without savings-plan fee until end 2027, current account integration, German annual tax certificate — no real crypto coins, only ETNs.
Honest take: comdirect for classic DACH wealth with bank integration. Bitvavo for crypto focus with lowest fees and self-custody.
When Bitvavo is the better pick
You want real crypto coins. Bitvavo 400+ coins, wallet withdrawal. comdirect only crypto ETNs.
You want lowest crypto fees. Bitvavo 0.15% maker. comdirect ETN buys €9.90 min order.
You want crypto staking. Bitvavo 30+ coins. comdirect no staking.
You want §23 crypto tax-free after 1 year. Bitvavo spot.
You want crypto API. Bitvavo REST + WebSocket.
When comdirect is the better pick
You want stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds. comdirect broad classic range. Bitvavo primarily crypto.
You want 576 action ETFs without savings-plan fee. comdirect free until end 2027.
You want the German tax certificate. comdirect fully steuereinfach. Bitvavo crypto in Anlage SO.
You want current account + savings + brokerage. comdirect free current account. Bitvavo no bank account.
You want VL savings plans (employer subsidy). comdirect offers VL. Bitvavo not.
Taxes — DACH specifics
comdirect fully steuereinfach, Bitvavo securities only. comdirect KESt automatic. Bitvavo crypto in Anlage SO.
§23 EStG: Bitvavo spot 1 year tax-free. comdirect ETNs §20 (always KESt).
Vorabpauschale: comdirect ETFs automatic.
Austria: Neither AT-steuereinfach.
Cost example — Multi-asset investor over 1 year
Profile: 12 ETF savings plans at €200 (action ETFs), 4 stocks at €2 000, 6 crypto at €500.
| Item | comdirect | Bitvavo |
| 12× €200 ETF savings plan | €0 (action ETFs) | €0 (savings plan) |
| 4× €2 000 stock | 4× €9.90 = €39.60 | 4× €1 + spread = ~€12 |
| 6× €500 crypto | 6× €9.90 + ETN spread = ~€75 | 6× €1.25 (0.25%) = €7.50 |
| Yearly cost | ≈€115 | ≈€20 |
Bitvavo notably cheaper on stocks + crypto. comdirect pays off for bank integration + VL.
Verdict
Classic DACH investor
Pick: comdirect.
Crypto main investor
Pick: Bitvavo.
Bank-integrated investor
Pick: comdirect.
Multi-asset
Both in parallel.
VL saver
Pick: comdirect.