How to earn regular income from your investments

It’s only the second quarter of 2025, yet the European economy already faces formidable challenges. A looming recession, historic market volatility, and a trade war between the U.S. and the rest of the world has created uncertainty for which few investors are prepared.

Departing from decades of open trade, the U.S. imposed sweeping tariffs on European goods, including a 25% duty on aluminum and steel. The EU, previously a champion of free markets, is preparing proportionate countermeasures.

These tariffs affect not only manufacturers and governments but also cascade through daily life: As tariffs reduce the competitiveness of EU exports and increase import costs, businesses inevitably pass on these additional expenses to consumers.

The impact of economic instability on regular investment income

Compounding this issue is the slow pace of wage growth in Europe. Reports indicate basic living costs now rise at a rate up to four times faster than salaries. Individuals with fixed incomes find themselves confronted by rising expenses for essentials such as electricity and groceries. As a consequence, purchasing power declines, saving becomes more challenging, and financial stress intensifies.

Adding to these pressures, stock markets have reacted negatively to global tensions, leading to reduced returns even for traditional investment portfolios. Relying solely on capital appreciation provides insufficient protection. Today’s economic reality demands an alternative investment strategy capable of delivering stability, predictability, and consistent income.

In this guide, we’ll explore smart investment methods that generate regular income, even during times of economic instability. You’ll learn how to build a portfolio designed for consistency, not guesswork:

✔ What is regular income, and how can you earn it through investments?
✔ How to earn regular income through bonds, loans, and dividend assets
✔ The best interest-paying investments available to EU-based investors
✔ How to create a regular income portfolio that works in all market conditions
✔ Strategies for minimizing risk while maintaining consistent investment returns

What is regular income, and why does it matter now?

Regular income refers to money you earn at consistent intervals, such as monthly, quarterly, or annually, from investments that generate ongoing cash flow.

Unlike capital gains, which require you to sell an asset to realize value, regular income pays you without needing to offload your portfolio.

This income can come from a variety of sources: the interest from bonds, repayments and interest payments from loans, dividend payouts from stocks or ETFs, or rental earnings from real estate. Each of these is structured to provide consistent payments, allowing investors to maintain liquidity and cover real-world expenses without relying on market timing.

A regular income portfolio gives you exactly that: the ability to generate consistent cash flow, absorb inflation shocks, and maintain financial independence regardless of economic conditions.

This approach is for anyone looking for consistent investment returns, such as:

Individuals approaching retirement who want to replace a fixed salary
Mid-career professionals looking to supplement earnings amid economic uncertainty

Long-term investors who want predictable, re-investable income streams

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Bonds

When you purchase a bond, you’re lending money to a government or company. In return, they promise to pay you regular interest and eventually return your original investment. This makes bonds valuable for anyone looking for monthly income from investments or aiming to build a regular income portfolio.

Government bonds are considered safer than other fixed income investments because defaults by stable governments are rare. The reliability of government bonds stems from the overall economic strength, stability, and long-term viability of the issuing country, which are factors that make it unlikely to “go out of business” or fail to meet obligations. This makes government bonds a reliable choice for those seeking monthly income or building a regular income portfolio that can withstand economic uncertainty.

German Bunds

Investors frequently choose German government bonds (Bunds) because Germany’s economy is stable, its government manages finances well, and it consistently repays debts. These factors make Bunds highly reliable, resulting in relatively low interest rates.

French OATs

Recently, French government bonds (Obligations Assimilables du Trésor or OATs) began paying slightly higher interest rates compared to German bonds, creating a wider yield difference. This widening occurs when investors become less certain about a country’s economic stability, prompting them to demand higher interest payments to offset perceived risks.

> Understanding investment risks

Italian BTPs

Italian government bonds (Buoni del Tesoro Poliennali, or BTPs) typically offer higher yields than German Bunds or French OATs. That’s because investors view Italy as having higher economic and political risk, including elevated debt levels and slower economic growth. To compensate for this additional risk, investors demand higher interest payments. This risk-return tradeoff means BTPs can offer attractive income potential, but with greater sensitivity to market sentiment.

As mentioned earlier, bond prices and yields react to economic and political shifts, such as the ongoing U.S.-EU trade dispute, which can influence interest rates and impact returns. his reinforces the importance of staying aware of market conditions when looking to earn income through bonds and build regular passive income strategies with government bonds.

> Learn more about bonds on Mintos

Loans

Loan investments allow individuals to earn regular interest by financing personal or business loans through regulated platforms. Instead of relying on a bank to distribute capital, investors fund loan-backed investments offered by lending companies and earn interest from borrower repayments.

These payments are typically made monthly, making loans a strong option for generating monthly income from investments and building a regular income portfolio.

This type of investment is structured to generate monthly income from investments, especially when accessed through licensed loan marketplaces. Over time, repayments include both interest and principal, which makes loans an effective tool for anyone looking to create a regular income portfolio.

Investing in loans is seen as more flexible than traditional fixed income investments like bonds. Because you can spread your investment across many loans, and in some cases, repayments can be reinvested automatically, it’s easier to manage cash flow and tailor your returns to personal income needs. For investors focused on consistent investment returns, loans offer the advantage of predictable, recurring payments with higher potential yields, though that comes with higher risk too.

> What is risk diversification, and why is it essential in 2025?

Consumer loans

Many European platforms offer access to consumer loans, which are personal loans taken by individuals to cover everyday needs. These loans regularly generate interest rates between 8% and 12% annually, with repayments made monthly.

For example, an investor allocating €1 000 across 40–50 short-term consumer loans might begin receiving repayments (including interest) within the first 30 days. This steady stream of payments creates a foundation for building regular passive income strategies.

Business loans

Loans issued to businesses commonly deliver higher returns, typically between 10% and 14%. These are interest-paying investments that generate predictable monthly cash flow and support regular passive income strategies, especially when repayments are reinvested to increase long-term gains.

With a minimum investment of €50, Mintos makes it easy to access consumer and business loans, in order to create a steady stream of income across a well-diversified portfolio, with multiple ways to invest:

Core Loans: a ready-to-use, automated portfolio for hands-off, steady income
Custom Loans: automated but investor-directed, with adjustable criteria
Manual selection: handpick individual investments for more control

These flexible options help investors earn monthly income from investments while adapting risk and return to personal goals.

> Key benefits of automated investing

> Understanding risk and return: A guide for investors

Diversification and risk management

On Mintos, investors can spread their capital across hundreds of loans from different countries, industries, and lending companies. This built-in diversification is one of the platform’s biggest strengths and a crucial factor for anyone aiming to build a resilient regular income portfolio.

In the current economic environment, diversifying across asset types and regions helps reduce the risk of income disruption. Mintos offers access to loans from over 20 countries and dozens of vetted lending partners, which helps insulate your portfolio from localized economic shocks or downturns in specific markets.

This balance of control, protection, and passive income potential is what makes Mintos one of the most compelling platforms for those seeking interest-paying investments with real-world flexibility.

> How to invest in loans on Mintos for stable returns

ETFs

ETFs are one of the best ways to earn steady income because they combine consistent returns, diversification, and low fees. They track indexes made up of stocks, bonds, or both, giving investors exposure to hundreds of assets through a single product. Many ETFs are designed to generate cash flow, either through interest from bonds or dividends from equities, so they are ideal for building stable investment income over time.

Income-focused ETFs, such as those holding short-term bonds or high-dividend stocks, support financial planning for regular income while keeping risk levels manageable. Some distribute earnings monthly, aligning well with investors seeking investments that pay monthly, while others reinvest returns automatically, useful for compounding and balancing long-term vs. short-term income strategies.

Investors use ETFs to pursue both growth and income, which makes them a key building block in any diversified regular income portfolio. A dividend income strategy built around ETFs can provide a steady stream of returns while maintaining diversification across sectors and geographies.

Access income-generating ETFs from just €50

Mintos gives investors access to professionally curated ETF portfolios designed to deliver consistent investment returns while keeping costs low and entry barriers minimal. With a starting investment of just €50, investors can build globally diversified portfolios across stocks and bonds, tailored to both risk preferences and income goals.

ETF portfolios on Mintos include exposure to multiple asset classes: developed market stocks, Eurozone corporate bonds, government bonds, and emerging markets. This built-in diversification helps support both long-term income strategies and more flexible financial planning for regular income.

> What are ETFs?

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> ETFs vs. mutual funds: A comprehensive comparison

> The difference between ETFs and index funds

Real estate

Real estate is a time-tested way to generate stable, long-term returns, and it’s increasingly accessible to individual investors through digital platforms. Investing in real estate a key strategy for investors focused on how to generate income from investments.

Investments such as real estate crowdfunding and REITs (real estate investment trusts) are structured to deliver monthly income from investments, typically through rent-backed distributions. These income streams can support both short-term cash flow needs and long-term portfolio goals, depending on how earnings are managed.

Because real estate income is backed by tangible assets, it is expected to offer stable investment income even during periods of economic volatility. Properties generally appreciate over time, and rent payments tend to rise with inflation. Investors maintain purchasing power while earning consistent investment returns.

Real estate can also play a central role in balancing long-term vs. short-term income. Some investors prioritize immediate payouts, while others reinvest income to expand their property exposure over time. Either way, the asset class offers flexibility and reliability that align with broader fixed income investment goals.

> Understanding asset classes: A comprehensive guide

Earn passive rental income from real estate

Mintos makes real estate investing simple and accessible by allowing investors to earn rental income from residential properties without having to buy a whole property. With a minimum investment of just €50, you can generate regular income from rent payments while also benefiting from potential long-term property appreciation.

Unlike traditional real estate, there are no complicated purchasing processes, ongoing maintenance, or large upfront costs. Income is distributed from collected rent, and investments are backed by physical properties. For added flexibility, the Mintos Secondary Market provides an option to access your funds earlier if needed—making it easier to build a property-backed regular income portfolio without long-term lock-ins.

> A beginner’s guide to passive real estate investing

Turn regular income into a long-term strategy with Mintos

In today’s economy, relying on growth alone isn’t enough. With rising prices, unstable markets, and wages that can’t keep up, many investors are looking for income they can count on, not just someday, but every month. That’s where a regular income strategy comes in.

To build consistent cash flow, you need more than just the right asset types. You need access to investments that pay you reliably, tools to manage risk, and the flexibility to adjust when markets change.

Mintos brings together a wide range of income-generating assets, from loans and bonds to ETFs and real estate, all in one platform. With low entry points, flexible reinvestment options, and transparent risk profiles, Mintos helps you turn your income goals into real, trackable results.

Explore a variety of options tailored to different goals and risk profiles:

Loans – Earn regular interest payments, diversify across sectors and regions, and choose between automated or hands-on investing.
Bonds – Invest from €50, earn fixed returns, and diversify your investments. A great option for those looking for steady, passive income.
Passive real estate – Generate monthly rental income from property-backed investments with a lower entry point than direct ownership.
Smart Cash – Access a money market fund with the highest rating that offers higher interest than traditional savings with same-day withdrawals.
ETFs – Invest in ETFs globally with a single portfolio, enjoy diversification, and zero commission fees, starting from just €50.

Disclaimer

This is a marketing communication and in no way should be viewed as investment research, advice, or a recommendation to invest. The value of your investment can go up as well as down, and you may lose part or all of your invested capital. Past performance of financial instruments does not guarantee future returns. Investing in financial instruments involves risk; before investing, consider your knowledge, experience, financial situation, and investment objectives.

Any scenarios or examples provided are for illustrative purposes only. They do not guarantee specific outcomes or returns and should not be relied upon when making investment decisions. Actual results may vary based on market conditions, issuer performance, and other factors.