Ireland now hosts around 70% of Europe’s ETFs, with assets surpassing €2.7 trillion in 2025, prompting industry calls for reforms to engage domestic investors amidst a global ETF boom.
According to a report by EY Ireland, the country now administers about 70% of Europe’s exchange‑traded funds (ETFs), a dominance underscored by a 41% expansion in 2025 that pushed assets under management in Irish‑domiciled ETFs beyond €2.7 trillion. The consultancy’s analysis places the surge in the context of a global boom: the worldwide ETF market rose by roughly a third last year, from $14.9 trillion to $19.9 trillion, and EY projects that ETF assets will more than double to about €5 trillion in Europe and $40 trillion globally by 2030.
ETFs, which bundle diverse holdings and trade on exchanges like individual stocks, have attracted a wave of new investors, particularly younger savers, and benefited from broader retail access via trading apps. According to EY, 72% of Europeans planning a first ETF purchase within a year are aged 44 or under, and platforms such as Revolut have materially increased the range of ETFs available to their customers. EY also notes partnerships and offerings through digital banks, highlighting Monzo’s tie‑up with BlackRock as an example of how mainstream fintechs are embedding ETF access into everyday banking apps.
“2025 was another stellar year for the European ETF market – we’ve seen record highs, record inflows, and record adoption, all set against one of the most unpredictable years any of us can remember,” said EY’s Lisa Kealy, stressing that the product class has outperformed other investment vehicles and signalling a structural shift in investor behaviour. EY’s research further points to the rapid rise of actively managed ETFs; global assets in that segment increased 65% in 2025 to $1.9 trillion, and are forecast to reach $6 trillion by 2030 as a more diverse set of issuers enters the market.
Ireland’s pre‑eminence as a domicile for ETF issuers is commonly attributed to its regulatory environment, industry expertise and an extensive network of double‑taxation agreements, including arrangements with the United States that lower withholding tax on US dividends for Irish vehicles. According to a report in The Irish Times, these treaty benefits, combined with a well‑established legal and service‑provider ecosystem, help explain why roughly three quarters of EU ETFs are domiciled in Ireland.
Yet EY highlights a domestic paradox: while international institutions and retail platforms have flocked to Ireland to run ETFs, Irish private investors face tax provisions that constrain their ability to participate. The report points out that local investors are subject to an exit tax of 38% and that ETFs are treated as “deemed disposed” after eight years even if holdings have not been sold. “Ireland must empower Irish retail (individual) investors to participate fully in the growth they are helping to power,” Ms Kealy said, adding that potential reforms could include revisiting tax and disposal rules and introducing targeted savings incentives modelled on schemes used elsewhere in Europe. EY described it as encouraging that changes appear to be on the Government’s agenda.
Industry data cited by EY and commentators suggests that lowering barriers for households could broaden domestic participation and solidify Ireland’s position as a model jurisdiction. However, any alterations to tax treatment would be material for public finances and policy, and would require careful design to balance competitiveness with revenue and fairness considerations.
The EY forecasts and market data underline a larger trend: ETFs are not merely a pass‑time for active traders but have become a central distribution mechanism for portfolio exposure, combining cost efficiency, liquidity and ease of access. That combination, along with the growth of fractional investing and app‑based portfolio tools, helps explain why issuers and distributors continue to iterate new products and why capital flows into the sector are expected to remain strong through the remainder of the decade.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41800598.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41800598.html – According to a report by EY Ireland, Ireland now administers 70% of Europe’s exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with the market growing by 41% in 2025 to surpass €2.7 trillion in assets under management. ETFs, which are diversified investment funds that track specific market assets, commodities, or sectors and trade like stocks, have seen a global surge in demand, fuelled by younger investors and easy access through platforms like Revolut. The global ETF market grew by 33%, from $14.9 trillion (€12.6 trillion) to $19.9 trillion (€16.8 trillion). A new report by EY forecasts that ETF assets under management will more than double to €5 trillion in Europe and $40 trillion (€33 trillion) worldwide by 2030.
- https://www.irishtimes.com/special-reports/2025/05/21/etfs-why-ireland-is-european-leader-in-exchange-traded-funds/ – Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) domiciled in Ireland account for approximately 73% of the European Union’s total ETF market. This dominance is attributed to Ireland’s comprehensive network of double taxation treaties, including with the United States, which reduces the withholding tax on US dividends from 30% to 15% for Irish ETFs investing in US equities. The country’s well-established regulatory framework and strong industry expertise have also played crucial roles in making Ireland a leading market for ETF issuers.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41800598.html – According to a report by EY Ireland, Ireland now administers 70% of Europe’s exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with the market growing by 41% in 2025 to surpass €2.7 trillion in assets under management. ETFs, which are diversified investment funds that track specific market assets, commodities, or sectors and trade like stocks, have seen a global surge in demand, fuelled by younger investors and easy access through platforms like Revolut. The global ETF market grew by 33%, from $14.9 trillion (€12.6 trillion) to $19.9 trillion (€16.8 trillion). A new report by EY forecasts that ETF assets under management will more than double to €5 trillion in Europe and $40 trillion (€33 trillion) worldwide by 2030.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41800598.html – According to a report by EY Ireland, Ireland now administers 70% of Europe’s exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with the market growing by 41% in 2025 to surpass €2.7 trillion in assets under management. ETFs, which are diversified investment funds that track specific market assets, commodities, or sectors and trade like stocks, have seen a global surge in demand, fuelled by younger investors and easy access through platforms like Revolut. The global ETF market grew by 33%, from $14.9 trillion (€12.6 trillion) to $19.9 trillion (€16.8 trillion). A new report by EY forecasts that ETF assets under management will more than double to €5 trillion in Europe and $40 trillion (€33 trillion) worldwide by 2030.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41800598.html – According to a report by EY Ireland, Ireland now administers 70% of Europe’s exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with the market growing by 41% in 2025 to surpass €2.7 trillion in assets under management. ETFs, which are diversified investment funds that track specific market assets, commodities, or sectors and trade like stocks, have seen a global surge in demand, fuelled by younger investors and easy access through platforms like Revolut. The global ETF market grew by 33%, from $14.9 trillion (€12.6 trillion) to $19.9 trillion (€16.8 trillion). A new report by EY forecasts that ETF assets under management will more than double to €5 trillion in Europe and $40 trillion (€33 trillion) worldwide by 2030.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41800598.html – According to a report by EY Ireland, Ireland now administers 70% of Europe’s exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with the market growing by 41% in 2025 to surpass €2.7 trillion in assets under management. ETFs, which are diversified investment funds that track specific market assets, commodities, or sectors and trade like stocks, have seen a global surge in demand, fuelled by younger investors and easy access through platforms like Revolut. The global ETF market grew by 33%, from $14.9 trillion (€12.6 trillion) to $19.9 trillion (€16.8 trillion). A new report by EY forecasts that ETF assets under management will more than double to €5 trillion in Europe and $40 trillion (€33 trillion) worldwide by 2030.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on 27 February 2026, reporting on EY Ireland’s research indicating that Ireland administers 70% of Europe’s ETFs, with a 41% growth in 2025, surpassing €2.7 trillion in assets under management. The earliest known publication of similar content is a press release from EY Ireland dated 7 April 2025, forecasting that ETFs in Ireland will reach €3 trillion by 2029. ([ey.com](https://www.ey.com/en_ie/newsroom/2025/04/hopes-for-irish-etf-tax-changes-as-fund-value-expected-to-reach-3-trillion-here-by-2029?utm_source=openai)) The figures and projections differ, suggesting that the current article provides updated data. However, the reliance on EY Ireland’s research raises concerns about potential bias and the freshness of the information.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes a quote from Lisa Kealy, EY’s financial services markets leader, stating, “2025 was another stellar year for the European ETF market…” A search for this exact quote yields no earlier matches, indicating it may be original. However, without independent verification, the authenticity of the quote cannot be confirmed, and the lack of online matches raises concerns about its verifiability.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from the Irish Examiner, a reputable news organisation. However, the content is based on a press release from EY Ireland, a major professional services firm. This raises concerns about potential bias and the independence of the information presented. The reliance on a single source for critical data diminishes the overall reliability of the article.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about Ireland’s dominance in the European ETF market and the projected growth align with industry trends. However, the reliance on EY Ireland’s projections without independent verification introduces potential bias. The lack of corroboration from other reputable sources diminishes the overall credibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information based on EY Ireland’s research, which is a reputable source. However, the heavy reliance on a single source without independent verification raises concerns about potential bias and the freshness of the information. The lack of corroboration from other reputable sources diminishes the overall credibility of the article. Therefore, the content does not meet the necessary standards for publication under our editorial indemnity.