German investors are conservative savers. Despite rising interest rates, a large portion of their assets continues to flow into call money accounts or traditional savings plans, both of which promise security but rarely exceed inflation in the long term. At the same time, there is growing interest in investments that are independent of stock market cycles, geopolitical tensions, or real estate prices.
Against this backdrop, the question of how to invest wisely in Germany today is becoming increasingly important. Smoothly, predictably, and with a return that preserves the real value of the money. Call money offers liquidity, savings plans provide structure, but both options reach their limits as soon as investors start looking for real value growth.
At the same time, a market is opening up that was previously reserved mainly for institutional investors: litigation financing. As an uncorrelated form of investment, it offers the opportunity to invest in legal proceedings and profit from the outcome of successful cases. For investors who value security but are looking for more than the usual interest rates, this asset class is increasingly coming into focus.
Safe Investments in Germany – Everything at a glance
- What is a savings account (Tagesgeldkonto) and how does it work in Germany?
- Is a savings account still worthwhile in 2026, or are there more profitable alternatives?
- Which investments offer higher returns than savings accounts and investment plans?
- How safe is an investment plan really, and how high should the monthly contribution be?
- Why is litigation funding considered an uncorrelated investment with high returns?
1. What exactly is a call money account?
A call money account is an interest-bearing account where your money remains available on a daily basis. The interest rate is variable and can be adjusted by the bank at any time. Deposits of up to €100,000 are protected by statutory deposit insurance and are therefore considered very secure. Unlike fixed-term deposits, there is no fixed term and no notice period.
- Key features of a call money account
- Money can be deposited and withdrawn on a daily basis.
- Banks can change the interest rate at any time.
- Statutory deposit protection up to €100,000.
- No term, no penalty fees as with fixed-term deposits.
- Ideal for short-term reserves or emergency funds.
2. Does a call money account still make sense?
A call money account will remain one of the safest ways to park money for the short term in 2026. The combination of daily availability, stable deposit protection, and simple terms and conditions continues to make it attractive, especially for reserves, emergency budgets, and surplus liquidity.
At the same time, in many cases the interest rate is not sufficient to offset inflation. As a result, the credit balance loses purchasing power in real terms if it remains untouched for a long period of time.
What are the advantages of a savings account (Tagesgeld) at a glance?
- Very high security: Statutory deposit protection up to €100,000.
- Full flexibility: Funds are available at any time, making it ideal for emergency savings.
- Simple structure: No minimum term, no market risk.
What are the disadvantages of a savings account that investors should be aware of?
- Returns often below inflation: Real loss of value possible.
- Interest rate risk: Variable interest rates can decrease at any time.
- No wealth growth: Unsuitable for long-term asset building.
As is quickly apparent, a call money account makes sense for short-term and secure liquidity, but not necessarily for investors who want to achieve long-term returns or increase their assets in real terms. This is where alternatives such as ETFs, savings plans, or uncorrelated forms of investment such as litigation financing become relevant.
3. What is a good alternative to a call money account?
Call money remains secure, but the returns are hardly sufficient to maintain the real value of the money. Many investors are therefore looking for alternatives that offer more than just liquidity. On the one hand, predictable returns, protection against inflation and, on the other hand, less dependence on the market.
The most attractive alternatives in 2026 are ETFs, traditional savings plans, real estate investments, and the as yet unknown area of litigation financing. The decisive factor is whether the investment enables long-term value growth while offering an appropriate risk-return ratio.
What are the advantages of a savings account at a glance?
- Very high security: Statutory deposit protection up to €100,000.
- Full flexibility: Funds are available at any time, making it ideal for emergency savings.
- Simple structure: No minimum term, no market risk.
What are the disadvantages of a savings account that investors should be aware of?
- Returns often below inflation: Real loss of value possible.
- Interest rate risk: Variable interest rates can decrease at any time.
- No wealth growth: Unsuitable for long-term asset building.
4. What is a good alternative to a call money account?
Call money remains secure, but the returns are hardly sufficient to maintain the real value of the money. Many investors are therefore looking for alternatives that offer more than just liquidity. On the one hand, predictable returns, protection against inflation and, on the other hand, less dependence on the market.
The most attractive alternatives in 2026 are ETFs, traditional savings plans, real estate investments, and the as yet unknown area of litigation financing. The decisive factor is whether the investment enables long-term value growth while offering an appropriate risk-return ratio.
What are the advantages of an investment plan (Sparplan)?
- Predictable structure: Discipline instead of timing.
- Low entry barriers: Possible even with small amounts.
- Broad diversification: Especially with ETF savings plans through global indices.
What are the disadvantages of an investment plan that investors should know?
- Market dependence: Returns follow overall stock market conditions.
- Short-term losses possible: Fluctuations are part of the strategy.
- No replacement for safe reserves: Investment plans are designed for the long term.
5. How much should you save each month in a savings plan?
How much you should save depends on your income, financial goals, and desired time horizon. Many financial experts and private investors recommend investing 10 to 20 percent of your net income over the long term.
Ultimately, however, it is not so much the exact amount that matters as the consistency and duration of the investment. Those who save regularly benefit from the compound interest effect, regardless of short-term market fluctuations. It is important to strike a balance between short-term reserves (call money) and high-yield investments such as long-term savings plans or alternative investments such as litigation financing.
Checklist for a sensible savings rate
- Aim for 10–20% of your net income
- Start with small amounts and increase later
- Set clear financial goals
- First build up reserves for 3–6 months in a call money account
- Combine your savings plan with high-yield alternatives
What are the benefits of saving €300 per month?
Anyone who invests €300 per month will benefit greatly from the compound interest effect in the long term. The following table shows how your assets can grow depending on the assumed average annual return, for example in comparison to call money, ETF savings plans, or attractive alternatives.
Example calculation for an investment plan
Anyone who saves and invests 300 euros per month benefits significantly from compound interest over the long term. The following table shows how the total capital can develop depending on the assumed average annual return – from pure saving without interest to high-yield investment classes.
| Time period | Without interest (saving only) |
4% p.a. (conservative) |
7% p.a. (ETF average) |
12% p.a. (high-yield alternatives) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | €18,000 | approx. €19,600 | approx. €21,300 | approx. €24,400 |
| 10 years | €36,000 | approx. €44,500 | approx. €51,600 | approx. €70,000 |
| 20 years | €72,000 | approx. €108,000 | approx. €148,000 | approx. €240,000 |
| 30 years | €108,000 | approx. €208,000 | approx. €365,000 | approx. €720,000 |
Note: These values are simplified example calculations and not a guarantee of returns. They serve solely to illustrate the effect of compound interest.
What this table shows
- Those who only save remain far below the potential of the capital markets.
- Even conservative returns generate noticeable asset growth.
- Higher return classes, such as ETFs or alternative investments have an enormous long-term effect.
- The difference between “saving” and “investing” grows larger with each passing year.
6. Litigation financing as a high-yield alternative to call money and savings plans
Litigation financing gives investors access to an asset class that was previously reserved mainly for institutional investors. Sponsors finance selected legal proceedings and, if successful, receive a share of the awarded claim.
What determines success in litigation financing?
Cases are selected through structured review processes that assess the prospects of success, burden of proof, economic damage, and enforceability. Platforms such as AEQUIFIN bundle these proceedings and enable investors to participate with even small amounts. This creates an uncorrelated stream of income that is not affected by market volatility or geopolitical events, a rare advantage in the current investment environment.
Why is litigation financing so attractive in comparison?
The decisive advantage of litigation financing lies not only in the potentially exceptional returns, but above all in the qualitative preliminary review of cases. Platforms such as AEQUIFIN analyze each case using clear legal and economic criteria before it is even made available to investors.
These include the prospects of success, the burden of proof, the enforceability of the claim, and the economic viability of the proceedings. Only cases with a clear expected value are admitted, a mechanism that significantly reduces risk.
- Independent of stock market and interest rate movements
- Double-digit return opportunities if the process is successful
- Social benefits through improved access to justice
- Digitization facilitates analysis, selection, and monitoring
- Entry possible even with manageable capital
Investors benefit from opportunities and thorough due diligence that are hardly achievable in traditional investments or require a significant investment of time. Sponsors benefit from double-digit to triple-digit returns per case, clearly defined terms, and a real foundation that is not influenced by market psychology.
7. Alternative investments overview of call money, savings plans, and litigation financing
The following figures show how call money, ETF savings plans, and litigation financing differ in terms of security, returns, liquidity, and special features. The table serves as a quick guide and illustrates why investors are increasingly interested in uncorrelated forms of investment, especially in an environment where traditional products offer little real value growth.
Comparison: Savings Account, ETF Investment Plan & Litigation Funding
| Investment type | Security | Expected return | Liquidity | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savings account | Very high (deposit protection up to €100,000) | approx. 0.5–4% p.a. | Very high | Ideal for emergency funds, not suitable for long-term wealth building |
| ETF investment plan | Medium (market-dependent) | approx. 6–9% p.a. | High | Long-term wealth building, benefits from the cost-average effect |
| Litigation funding | Medium (depends on the individual case) | up to 300% per case | Medium | Uncorrelated with the markets, societal impact |
The overview clearly shows that call money offers maximum security but minimal returns. Savings plans deliver solid long-term results but remain entirely dependent on the market. Litigation financing, on the other hand, combines real value creation with high-yield opportunities, regardless of stock market or interest rate movements.
IN JUST 5 MINUTES:
8. Why is litigation financing the most exciting alternative to overnight money?
Greater security does not necessarily mean greater stability. In Germany in particular, many investors rely on overnight money because it is considered risk-free. But anyone looking for real asset growth will quickly reach their limits. Even in the best interest rate environment, the relationship between security and return remains unattractive. Litigation financing, on the other hand, offers access to a completely different return dynamic.
What are the strongest arguments for litigation financing from an investor’s perspective?
- No market volatility: Returns do not depend on stock markets or interest rates.
- Real value creation: Profits arise from successful legal cases.
- Predictable terms: Proceedings are limited in time – usually 18–36 months.
- Transparent selection: Professional case review reduces risks.
- Social benefits: Financing enables access to justice for those entitled to it.
While call money offers short-term security and ETF savings plans offer long-term growth, litigation financing creates a third way. It offers high returns, is independent, and has clear links to the real economy. This gives investors an alternative that is not affected by interest rate cycles or geopolitical developments.
