Bitvavo vs flatex — Dutch crypto exchange vs German discount broker
Bitvavo (Bitvavo B.V., MiCA + BaFin custody licence) and flatex (BaFin Germany) are different tools. Bitvavo offers 400+ spot coins at 0.15% maker / 0.25% taker, free fiat withdrawal, self-custody withdrawal. flatex offers €5.90 flat per stock/ETF order, 1 600 free ETF savings plans from €25 minimum rate, German tax certificate — but no real crypto coins (only crypto ETNs).
Honest take: flatex is the pick for DACH stock/ETF investors with tax comfort. Bitvavo is the pick for crypto focus with self-custody need.
When Bitvavo is the better pick
You want real crypto coins. Bitvavo 400+ coins, wallet withdrawal. flatex has no real coins.
You want the lowest crypto fees. Bitvavo 0.15% maker. flatex crypto ETNs ~1% spread plus €5.90 order.
You want crypto staking. Bitvavo 30+ staking coins. flatex no crypto staking.
You want §23 tax-free after 1 year. Bitvavo spot coins. flatex crypto ETNs are §20 (always KESt).
You want the broadest coin range. Bitvavo 400+ coins. flatex ETN list much narrower.
When flatex is the better pick
You want real stock/ETF wealth. flatex offers 7 000+ stocks, 1 600+ ETF savings plans free. Bitvavo has no ETF savings plans.
You want the German tax certificate. flatex steuereinfach. Bitvavo self-declaration for crypto.
You want bonds and mutual funds. flatex offers bonds, classic funds, certificates. Bitvavo crypto + some stocks/ETFs but not as broad.
You want flat predictable order costs. flatex €5.90 flat. Bitvavo percentage-based (€1 stock + crypto spread).
You want EUR base without FX friction on stocks. flatex EUR account. Bitvavo also EUR but primarily crypto.
Taxes — DACH specifics
flatex steuereinfach, Bitvavo only on securities. flatex withholds KESt automatically. Bitvavo withholds KESt on stocks/ETFs, crypto in Anlage SO.
§23 EStG for crypto: Bitvavo spot coins 1 year tax-free. flatex crypto ETNs are §20 (always KESt).
Vorabpauschale 2026: Both ETF Vorabpauschale automatic.
Austria: Neither AT-steuereinfach.
Cost example — Multi-asset investor over 1 year
Profile: 12 ETF savings plans at €200, 4 stock buys at €2 000, 6 crypto at €500, 1 withdrawal €3 000.
| Item | flatex | Bitvavo |
| 12× €200 ETF savings plan | €0 | €0 |
| 4× €2 000 stock | 4× €5.90 = €24 | 4× €1 + spread = ~€12 |
| 6× €500 crypto | 6× €5.90 + ETN spread = ~€50 | 6× €1.25 = €7.50 |
| 1× withdrawal €3 000 | €0 | €0 |
| Yearly cost | ≈€74 | ≈€20 |
Bitvavo ~€54 cheaper via crypto fees and €1 stock trades. flatex only wins for pure bond/fund need.
Verdict
Crypto main investor
Pick: Bitvavo. Real coins, low fees, staking.
DACH stock investor with tax convenience
Pick: flatex. Steuereinfach + 1 600 ETFs.
Bond investor
Pick: flatex. Bitvavo has no bonds.
Crypto buy-and-hold (>1 year)
Pick: Bitvavo. §23 tax-free.
Multi-asset allrounder
Pick: Bitvavo. Stocks + ETFs + crypto in one account.