Gold or silver? The key differences for buyers in the Netherlands

Gold and silver are both precious metals, but as investments they are very different. If you want to buy in the Netherlands, these five differences are worth knowing.

1. VAT

This is the biggest difference. Investment gold, such as gold bars of at least 99.5% purity and recognised gold investment coins, is exempt from VAT in the Netherlands and the rest of the EU. Silver carries 21% VAT. A silver bar therefore has to rise more than 21% in value before you break even when you sell.

2. Price swings

Silver moves much more than gold. In October 2026 silver fell about 12% in a month, while gold fell less. Part of the reason is that the silver market is much smaller. If you want stability, gold is usually the calmer choice.

3. Value per gram and storage

Gold is worth more than 70 times as much as silver per gram. For the same money you get much more silver, and it takes up space. €10,000 in gold fits in your hand; the same value in silver easily weighs more than five kilos.

4. Where does demand come from?

Gold is mainly bought as an investment, for jewellery, and by central banks. For silver, more than half of demand comes from industry, such as solar panels and electronics. That makes the silver price more dependent on the economy. According to the Silver Institute, 2026 is the sixth year in a row with more demand than supply.

5. Buy-back

Well-known gold bars from brands like PAMP and Valcambi are easy to sell worldwide. Eve Gold buys back gold; we do not buy silver.

Conclusion

For most private buyers in the Netherlands, gold is the logical foundation: no VAT, smaller swings and compact to store. Silver can be an addition for those who accept more risk and believe in long-term industrial demand.

Sources: Belastingdienst (VAT exemption for investment gold); The Silver Institute, World Silver Survey 2026; Trading Economics, silver price October 2026.