Are you looking for the best ETFs for 2026? You’re in the right place!
In this blog post, we explore the most promising ETFs that can enhance and diversify your investment strategy. We will reveal the reasons behind their potential and help you understand why they deserve a place in your portfolio for 2026 and the years to come.
What is an ETF?
Investing in ETFs is a popular way to diversify your portfolio and benefit from the growth of various sectors, regions, and themes.
ETFs are instruments that track a basket of stocks or other assets, such as an index, a sector, or a theme. ETFs are easy to trade on the stock exchange, have low costs, and offer broad diversification.
The best ETFs for 2026?
But what are the best ETFs for 2026? Of course, this depends on your personal goals, risk profile, and investment horizon.
However, if you’re looking for inspiration, here are the 7 favorite ETFs from The Belgian Investor.
I believe these ETFs have strong growth potential in the coming years, thanks to the innovative and future-oriented themes they follow.
Please note, I am not making any predictions about the returns of these ETFs! Each of these themes is, in my opinion, interesting to invest in, but that doesn’t mean you should necessarily invest in them. Use this article for inspiration.
Great, let’s get started!
How I built my portfolio
My personal strategy for 2026 (and far beyond) is based on the Core-Satellite principle.
- The Core: The majority of your portfolio (e.g., 80-90%) consists of broad, diversified global ETFs. This is your foundation.
- The Satellites: A smaller portion (e.g., 10-20%) is allocated to specific themes you believe in. This is for potential extra returns (and a bit of fun).
Below, I share my personal selection for 2026. This list is specifically curated for European investors: all funds are UCITS compliant (safe & regulated) and Accumulating (reinvesting dividends automatically for maximum compound interest).
Note on Taxation: Tax laws vary significantly across Europe. While these ETFs are selected for their low costs (TER) and strong fundamentals, please always check your local tax regulations regarding accumulating vs. distributing funds.
Part 1: The Core (The Foundation)
These are the ETFs you buy to hold “forever.” They form the bedrock of your wealth.
SPDR MSCI All Country World UCITS ETF EUR Hedged (Acc) (My Top Pick)
This is currently my number one choice for Eurozone investors. Many people swear by the standard “All-World” ETFs, but this one offers a crucial structural advantage.
- Ticker: SPP1
- ISIN: IE00BF1B7389
- Cost (TER): 0.17%
- Strategy: Accumulating
- Currency: EUR Hedged
Why this ETF? Like other classics, this tracker follows the entire world (All Country). Your diversification is massive. However, it solves a major hidden risk for European investors: Currency Risk. The global market is heavily dominated by the US Dollar (60%+). If the Dollar weakens against the Euro, your returns suffer. This ETF is “EUR Hedged”. It protects you against currency fluctuations.. It allows you to invest in the global economy without betting on the exchange rate.
BUT: Hedging does come at a cost. If you want to go with the lowest cost approach then you should really checkout the ETFs with ticker IMIE of SPYI. It’s the same underlying index but without the currency hedge.
iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (The Classic)
For those who prefer a plain vanilla approach, this remains the gold standard.
- Ticker: IWDA
- ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983
- Cost (TER): 0.20%
- Strategy: Accumulating
Why this ETF? IWDA is a giant. With a fund size of over €70 billion, it is incredibly liquid, safe, and tracks developed markets (US, Europe, Japan) perfectly. If you don’t mind the currency exposure to the USD and just want the most liquid, standard option available in Europe, this is it.
Part 2: The Satellites (Future Themes)
Beyond the core foundation, I see significant potential in specific sectors for the coming years. Warning: These are more volatile (riskier) than the broad market, so size your positions accordingly.
iShares Electric Vehicles and Driving Technology UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (The Transport Revolution)
- Ticker: IEVD
- ISIN: IE00BGL86Z12
- Cost (TER): 0.40%
Why this sector? We often focus too much on today’s EV sales figures, but the real revolution is yet to come. I am looking specifically at the breakthroughs in autonomous driving technology. Think of robotaxis and automated freight transport. This ETF invests in the entire supply chain that makes this future possible, not just the car brands.
VanEck Quantum Computing UCITS ETF A (The Next AI?)
- Ticker: QUTM
- ISIN: IE0007Y8Y157
- Cost (TER): 0.55%
Why this sector? We have all seen what AI has done to the market. Quantum computing is the next logical, giant leap. This technology has the potential to increase computing power exponentially. It is still early days, but if this breakthrough arrives sooner than expected (which I suspect it might), it could disrupt every single industry.
Invesco Nasdaq Biotech UCITS ETF (Health x Tech)
- Ticker: SBIO
- ISIN: IE00BQ70R696
- Cost (TER): 0.40%
Why this sector? Biotech is traditionally a “hit or miss” sector heavily dependent on regulation. However, with the integration of AI, drug discovery and development are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. I see potential for high returns here, though investors must be prepared for volatility.
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear Technologies UCITS ETF A (Energy for AI?)
- Ticker: NUKL
- ISIN: IE000M7V94E1
- Cost (TER): 0.55%
Why this sector? We are on the eve of two massive energy revolutions. First, the global race for nuclear fusion—the holy grail of clean energy. Second, the rise of AI is consuming unprecedented amounts of electricity. Data centers require massive, stable baseload power, putting nuclear energy back in the spotlight as the only realistic solution. Note: This ETF has already rallied significantly. Do not buy blindly into the hype, but view it as a long-term play on global energy demand.
iShares STOXX World Equity Multifactor UCITS ETF EUR Hedged (Acc) (The “Smart” ETF)
- Ticker: IS07
- ISIN: IE00BYXPXK00
- Cost (TER): 0.33%
Why this ETF? This is a prime example of “Smart Beta.” Academic research shows that certain factors (like Value, Momentum, or Quality) tend to outperform the market over the long term. The problem? These factors are cyclical. This Multifactor ETF solves that by combining multiple factors. It aims to generate excess returns (alpha) while minimizing the risk of betting on just one single strategy.
Conclusion
My advice for 2026 is straightforward: build a boring Core (like SPPE) that you don’t have to worry about, and potentially spice it up with Satellites you truly believe in.
Of course, these aren’t the only ETFs worth considering; there are many more options on the market. It is always important to do your own research, define your personal goals, and manage your risks.
That’s a wrap! These were my 7 favorite ETFs for 2026. I hope you found this article interesting and useful, and that it gave you some inspiration for your own investment strategy.
Be sure to let me know your favorites in the comments below!
