WETFs, Finfluencers, AI: This is how Gen Z is trying to build wealth

Talking about money and dealing with it has become fashionable. This is not an impression, but can be proven with numbers. During Corona, there was a real boom among young investors on the capital market, reveals Fiona Springer of the Financial Market Authority (FMA). “There was a total rejuvenation of the capital market,” she says. “The number of 18 to 24 year olds quadrupled back then.” For those under 30, there would now be more than twice as many. All other age groups would have remained roughly the same.

What are the young people investing in? In broadly diversified stock portfolios such as ETFs, but also in green, sustainable products. Nobody came through the classic bank advisor, but “of course they all came through the advice-free business,” says Springer. The advice is provided by AI or role models on the Internet. The investment is low-threshold. About Neo Broker, The Trading Platform and apps. Where the sudden interest came from is open to speculation. Possible answers can also be found online.

What is the FIRE movement about?

Numerous studies show that young people are very concerned about their finances. One in two people do not feel adequately financially secure, according to Deloitte in its “GenZ & Millennial Survey 2026”. A YouGov survey from December 2025 shows that 57 to 72 percent of young workers across Europe believe they will not be able to lead a comfortable life in retirement. There is a lot of uncertainty – but that is exactly what young people long for most: security. Youth researchers agree on this.

A reaction to this: The FIRE movement – ​​Financial Independence, Retire Early. It’s about building up assets independently, gaining more freedom in how you live your life, and securing yourself financially for the later part of your life – and not necessarily about dropping the pen as early as possible. They want to consciously reduce the risk of poverty in old age, reports among others Euronews about the movement.

As is well known, entering the capital market brings with it opportunities, but also risks. What do beginners need to pay attention to and whose expertise can they really trust?

How young people build wealth

Even with limited start-up capital, you can still build solid assets today, he says Guido Kusters, Managing Director of the Association of Financial Planners (AFP). “You may not become truly rich, especially not with a normal salary, but you can achieve a certain level of prosperity and security.” He cannot give specific instructions for building wealth. However, Küsters points out five basic rules.

It would be important to start early (1). Even small, regular amounts could create a relevant impact. One to three months’ salary should be deposited as a liquidity reserve (2). When investing, you should not be guided by trends and – even if investor legend Warren Buffett sees it differently – at best you should diversify widely. In other words: don’t put all your money on one share (3).

Real estate would still be interesting, but not a requirement and not suitable for everyone’s lifestyle (4). Finally, Küsters recommends thinking about income and assets together (5). Anyone who increases their income, i.e. their salary, over the course of their working life and invests a good portion of it creates a strong lever for long-term wealth creation.

The basis for these five steps is one thing: knowledge. And this is what you need to learn before you invest a single euro.

More knowledge is needed – but how do you build it?

Guido Kusters recommends actually going to the good old bank advisor first. “Because you usually already have something there anyway – an account or a savings account.” Banks often hold financial education seminars for young people. “You don’t have to buy something straight away, but you can listen to it at two or three banks.” Anyone who decides to purchase a product through professional advice must be prepared for costs. That wouldn’t be a bad thing per se, says FMA spokeswoman Springer. “Good advice has its price.”

If you want to give away less of your profits, you can also acquire the knowledge on your own and – like most young people – start investing yourself through inexpensive online providers.

Live instead of just save

Financial professional Lisa Pulsinger is not surprised that the FIRE trend is encouraging young people to invest. She also “really picked up” on the concept at the beginning. “I loved the idea of ​​giving 110 percent at a young age when you have a lot of energy.” She is now critical of the concept.

“We put off living so that we can live properly and freely later,” she says. Building up assets early would definitely be a good idea. But you have to stay in the here and now. “Money is also for making memories, maybe going on that trip around the world you’ve always dreamed of, or just having a good time with friends.”