Polish publicly
listed broker XTB (WSE: XTB)
has launched individual retirement security accounts, known as IKZE, giving
clients access to tax-advantaged retirement investing after months of
preparation.
XTB Launches Long-Awaited
Retirement Accounts in Poland
The company
began rolling out the accounts to customers today (Tuesday), with full
availability expected within a week. XTB had originally planned to introduce
IKZE accounts in the first quarter but
pushed the timeline back to mid-2025.
The launch
comes as Polish investors show growing interest in retirement planning.
Government data shows more than 593,000 Poles held IKZE accounts by the end of
2024, with over 122,000 of those managed through brokerage accounts.
“Introducing
IKZE was a natural step in further developing our offering,” said Omar
Arnaout, XTB’s chief executive. “After the success of IKE accounts, which
met with great interest from clients, we clearly see that Poles are
increasingly thinking about their financial future and want to invest
consciously and effectively.”
The
retirement accounts complement
XTB’s existing IKE individual retirement accounts, which the broker
launched in late 2024. The company also offers similar tax-advantaged products
in other markets, including ISA
accounts in Britain and PEA
accounts in France.
Mobile-First Approach
True to
XTB’s mobile-first strategy, customers can initially open IKZE accounts only
through the broker’s smartphone app. A desktop version won’t arrive until 2026.
The company is also limiting new account openings at first, with account
transfers from other brokers becoming available gradually through the end of
2025.
IKZE
accounts will offer access to XTB’s standard lineup of Polish and international
stocks and exchange -traded funds. The broker doesn’t charge commissions on
stock and ETF trades up to 100,000 euros monthly, then applies a 0.2% fee with
a 10-euro minimum. Currency
conversion fees of 0.5% may apply for foreign investments.
Like XTB’s
IKE accounts, IKZE balances are exempt from the broker’s custody fees that
apply to larger portfolios.
Tax Benefits Drive Appeal
IKZE
accounts offer immediate tax advantages that IKE accounts don’t provide.
Investors can deduct contributions from their taxable income, reducing their
annual tax bill. Investment gains can also avoid Poland’s 19% capital gains tax
if certain conditions are met.
To qualify
for the tax benefits, investors must wait until age 65 to withdraw funds and
make regular contributions for at least five calendar years. Withdrawals that
meet these requirements face a flat 10% tax on the entire balance, often more
favorable than standard income and capital gains taxes.
Annual
contribution limits for 2025 are set at 15,611 zloty for business owners and
10,408 zloty for employees, based on projected average wages. An employee in
Poland’s higher tax bracket could save up to 3,330 zloty in taxes this year by
maximizing their IKZE contribution.
The
accounts charge a 200-zloty fee for withdrawals within 12 months of opening,
matching XTB’s policy for IKE accounts.
Polish publicly
listed broker XTB (WSE: XTB)
has launched individual retirement security accounts, known as IKZE, giving
clients access to tax-advantaged retirement investing after months of
preparation.
XTB Launches Long-Awaited
Retirement Accounts in Poland
The company
began rolling out the accounts to customers today (Tuesday), with full
availability expected within a week. XTB had originally planned to introduce
IKZE accounts in the first quarter but
pushed the timeline back to mid-2025.
The launch
comes as Polish investors show growing interest in retirement planning.
Government data shows more than 593,000 Poles held IKZE accounts by the end of
2024, with over 122,000 of those managed through brokerage accounts.
“Introducing
IKZE was a natural step in further developing our offering,” said Omar
Arnaout, XTB’s chief executive. “After the success of IKE accounts, which
met with great interest from clients, we clearly see that Poles are
increasingly thinking about their financial future and want to invest
consciously and effectively.”
The
retirement accounts complement
XTB’s existing IKE individual retirement accounts, which the broker
launched in late 2024. The company also offers similar tax-advantaged products
in other markets, including ISA
accounts in Britain and PEA
accounts in France.
Mobile-First Approach
True to
XTB’s mobile-first strategy, customers can initially open IKZE accounts only
through the broker’s smartphone app. A desktop version won’t arrive until 2026.
The company is also limiting new account openings at first, with account
transfers from other brokers becoming available gradually through the end of
2025.
IKZE
accounts will offer access to XTB’s standard lineup of Polish and international
stocks and exchange -traded funds. The broker doesn’t charge commissions on
stock and ETF trades up to 100,000 euros monthly, then applies a 0.2% fee with
a 10-euro minimum. Currency
conversion fees of 0.5% may apply for foreign investments.
Like XTB’s
IKE accounts, IKZE balances are exempt from the broker’s custody fees that
apply to larger portfolios.
Tax Benefits Drive Appeal
IKZE
accounts offer immediate tax advantages that IKE accounts don’t provide.
Investors can deduct contributions from their taxable income, reducing their
annual tax bill. Investment gains can also avoid Poland’s 19% capital gains tax
if certain conditions are met.
To qualify
for the tax benefits, investors must wait until age 65 to withdraw funds and
make regular contributions for at least five calendar years. Withdrawals that
meet these requirements face a flat 10% tax on the entire balance, often more
favorable than standard income and capital gains taxes.
Annual
contribution limits for 2025 are set at 15,611 zloty for business owners and
10,408 zloty for employees, based on projected average wages. An employee in
Poland’s higher tax bracket could save up to 3,330 zloty in taxes this year by
maximizing their IKZE contribution.
The
accounts charge a 200-zloty fee for withdrawals within 12 months of opening,
matching XTB’s policy for IKE accounts.
This post is originally published on FINANCEMAGNATES.
