Young Czechs Invest Their Own Way. More Than a Third Do Without Professional Advice

Prague, 27 August 2026 – Young Czechs are taking an active approach to managing their finances and are more likely to invest than older generations, according to findings from an IPSOS survey conducted for the Financial Market Guarantee System. The data show that 39% of people aged 16 to 30 hold some form of investment product, compared with 30% of those aged 31 and over. The results also indicate that a relatively high degree of independence in deciding where to invest their money is characteristic of the younger generation.

More Than a Third Invest Without Professional Advice

Among young people who save or invest, 36% independently invest in individual stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies or other products, typically through online platforms. Professional financial advice or banking products arranged through an advisor are used by 27%, while a further 22% use an app that builds and manages investment products or portfolios for them.

The easy availability of investment platforms and apps has removed many of the barriers that once made accessing financial markets more difficult. Today, investing can be done in just a few minutes, often with a relatively small amount of money. However, as investing becomes more accessible, the ability to distinguish between different financial products and understand the risks associated with them becomes increasingly important. “It is encouraging that young people are taking an active interest in their finances and thinking about how to make their money grow. However, if they are making investment decisions on their own, it is all the more important that they understand what they are putting their money into and what risks they are taking. Basic financial awareness should also include an understanding of which funds are protected by statutory deposit insurance and which constitute investments whose value may fluctuate,” says Renáta Kadlecová, Executive Director of the Financial Market Guarantee System.

Saving and Investing Are Not the Same

The distinction between saving and investing is also important in terms of how your money is protected. Statutory deposit insurance applies, for example, to funds held in current accounts, savings accounts and term deposit accounts with banks, building savings banks and cooperative credit unions. As a standard rule, deposits held by one customer with one institution are insured up to the equivalent of EUR 100,000.

By contrast, stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and cryptocurrencies are not covered by deposit insurance. This does not mean that they are unsuitable products, but they work differently, and investors need to take the associated investment risk into account.

The data also show that traditional savings remain a firmly established part of young people’s financial habits. Among those who save or invest, 58% use a savings or term deposit account. Some 35% hold stocks, bonds or commodities, 19% invest in ETFs, and 13% in cryptocurrencies.

Most Commonly, They Set Aside Up to CZK 3,000

Young people’s more active approach to investing does not mean that they are dealing with large sums of money. Most commonly, they set aside a few thousand Czech crowns each month. Overall, 32% of young people who save or invest put aside no more than CZK 1,000 per month, while a further 34% set aside between CZK 1,001 and CZK 3,000. This means that two-thirds save or invest no more than CZK 3,000 a month.

The data also show that the younger generation’s interest in building financial reserves and investing may continue to grow. One in five people aged 16 to 30 currently neither save nor invest. However, 59% of this group say they would like to start saving, investing, or both in the future.

“Investing and seeking to grow your money over the long term is certainly a sensible approach. However, we should not invest all of our available funds. Some money needs to remain readily accessible for everyday expenses and, above all, as a reserve for unexpected situations—ideally enough to cover at least three months of household expenses. Only funds above this reserve should be invested, with the understanding that their value may decline in the short term. Riskier investments should therefore only involve money whose potential loss or temporary decline in value would not jeopardise the household’s day-to-day finances,” concludes Renáta Kadlecová.

Key Data

39% of young people aged 16–30 have an investment product, compared with 30% of people aged 31 and over.
36% of young people who save or invest do so independently, without professional advice.
Among men, the share of independent investors is 45%, rising to 49% among university graduates.
27% use professional financial advice or banking products arranged through an advisor.
22% use an app that builds and manages investment products or portfolios for them.
32% of young people set aside up to CZK 1,000 per month, while a further 34% set aside between CZK 1,001 and CZK 3,000.
A savings or term deposit account is used by 58% of young people who save or invest, while 35% hold stocks, bonds or commodities, 19% invest in ETFs, and 13% in cryptocurrencies.
Among young people who currently neither save nor invest, 59% say they would like to start in the future.

Methodology

The survey was conducted by IPSOS for the Financial Market Guarantee System from 3–9 March 2026 online via the Populace.cz panel. A total of 1,513 respondents took part, including 500 aged 16–30 and 1,013 aged 31 and over. Respondents could select multiple answers to the question about their approach to saving and investing. The figure on future interest is based on a subgroup of 102 young respondents who currently neither save nor invest.

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