Real estate
Real estate is fixed, tangible property (land and buildings) used as an investment asset class.
Real estate comprises land and buildings and is one of the oldest asset classes. It generally offers a degree of inflation protection, regular rental income, and potential appreciation.
The main forms are owner-occupancy (your own home), letting (income property), and indirect investment (REITs, real-estate ETFs, and open- or closed-ended property funds).
In Germany, real estate can be sold tax-free after a holding period of 10 years (the speculation period). This makes it particularly attractive from a tax perspective for long-term investors.
See taxes, dividends and allocation for your whole portfolio in one place.