By region
Eurozone ETFs
A simple way to own a slice of the big companies from countries that share the euro.
What Eurozone ETFs are
A eurozone ETF is a fund that holds shares in large companies based in the countries that use the euro as their currency — places like Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Ireland. An ETF (exchange-traded fund) simply bundles many company shares together so you can buy them in one go, instead of picking each one yourself.
Most of these funds follow a well-known index (a fixed, published list of companies). Two common ones are the EURO STOXX 50, which tracks around 50 of the largest euro-area companies, and the MSCI EMU, which is broader and holds a few hundred. The fund just aims to copy the list.
A beginner might like that this focuses on familiar, home-region businesses and, for someone who already lives on the euro, avoids the extra layer of currency conversion. The thing to keep in mind: it's one region only, so it misses the rest of the world and rises or falls with Europe's economy.
At a glance
Why beginners look here
One shared currency
Every company is based in a euro country, so for euro users there's no currency conversion sitting between you and your holdings.
Familiar large companies
Many holdings are well-known European names, which can make the fund feel easier to understand for a first-time investor.
Concentrated in one region
Because it covers only the euro area, it leaves out the US, Asia and the rest of the world, so it can move sharply with Europe's economy alone.
What to look for
Popular Eurozone ETFs
A few of the largest, pulled live from the screener — an example, not a recommendation.
UBS Core MSCI EMU UCITS ETF hGBP acc
iShares Core MSCI EMU UCITS ETF
UBS Core MSCI EMU UCITS ETF hGBP dis
UBS Core MSCI EMU UCITS ETF hCHF acc
iShares Core MSCI EMU UCITS ETF
iShares Core MSCI EMU UCITS ETF
Good to know
Is the eurozone the same as Europe or the EU?
No. The eurozone is only the ~20 countries that use the euro, so a eurozone ETF leaves out places like Switzerland, the UK, Sweden and Denmark, which keep their own currencies.
How many companies am I actually investing in?
It depends on the index. A EURO STOXX 50 fund holds around 50 large companies, while an MSCI EMU fund spreads across a few hundred of different sizes.
Do I still face currency risk?
If you spend in euros, the fund is priced in euros, so there's no direct conversion. If your own currency is different, its value against the euro will affect what you see, and the companies also earn money abroad.
Related topics
Finance Hamster provides educational information about ETFs and investing. It is not investment, tax, or legal advice, and not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Markets carry risk; do your own research or consult a licensed adviser.