Guide
Fee drag: what yearly costs take from your money
A fee that looks small each year compounds. This is illustrative arithmetic, not a forecast — it shows why the total yearly cost matters more than any single headline fee.
€10,000 at a 5% yearly return
| Total yearly cost | After 10 years | After 20 years | Lost to costs (20y) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25% | €15,905 | €25,298 | €1,235 |
| 0.50% | €15,530 | €24,117 | €2,416 |
| 1.00% | €14,802 | €21,911 | €4,622 |
| 1.50% | €14,106 | €19,898 | €6,635 |
| 2.00% | €13,439 | €18,061 | €8,472 |
Why this matters for the PIA
On accounts up to €50,000 there is no PIA tax at all, so provider costs are the main thing reducing your return. Above €50,000 the 1% applies only to the excess — on a €52,000 account that is €20 a year — while a 1% provider fee would cost €520 on the same balance.
Compare all-in costs on the PIA cost comparison as firms publish terms, and test scenarios in the calculator.
Run your own numbers
Compare a Personal Investment Account against a deposit account and a standard fund over 10, 20 or 30 years — with real Irish rates.
Open the PIA calculatorInformation only, not financial or tax advice. PIA rules are as written in the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026, published 19 October 2026, and are not law until the Bill is signed. Figures cited are from the Department of Finance roadmap, Revenue, Skatteverket, GOV.UK and the IRS.