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The dividend policy is a key component of freenet AG’s equity story and underlines the company’s focus on generating sustainable cash flow and providing shareholders with an attractive and reliable share in the company’s success.
freenet follows a clearly defined and predictable dividend policy with the aim of making consistent and reliable dividend payments. This reflects the shareholder structure, which comprises a high proportion of retail shareholders, while also addressing income-oriented investors seeking stable and attractive recurring cash returns.
The dividend is calculated according to a clearly defined and consistently applied methodology:
For the financial years 2026 to 2028, the dividend, in accordance with the defined payout methodology, will be 80 per cent of the adj. free cash flow or the minimum dividend of 2.00 € per share, whichever is the higher amount.
The table below sets out the methodology for calculating dividends and the outlook derived from it.
|
Financial year |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
|
Year of payment |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
|
Adj. free cash flow |
expected 270–300 million € |
No explicit guidance has been published; dependent on operating performance |
expected to be ≥ 340 million € (financial ambition) |
|
Payout ratio |
80 per cent of adj. free cash flow |
80 per cent of adj. free cash flow |
80 % of adj. free cash flow |
|
Minimum dividend per share |
2.00 € |
2.00 € |
2.00 € |
|
Applicable amount |
the higher of 80 % of adj. free cash flow or the minimum dividend |
the higher of 80 % of adj. free cash flow or the minimum dividend |
the higher of 80 % of adj. free cash flow or the minimum dividend |
|
Total distribution |
expected to be approximately 216–240 million € (80 per cent of 270–300 million €) |
dependent on adj. free cash flow |
implicitly expected to be ≥ 272 million € (80 % of ≥ 340 million €) |
|
Dividend per share |
expected to be 2.00 to 2.06 € per share |
at least 2.00 € |
expected to be ≥ 2.00 to 2.30 € per share |
freenet has a long-standing track record of predominantly rising ordinary dividends.
Special dividends have been paid out in certain years in addition to the regular dividends and are not part of the recurring payout methodology.
A temporary deviation occurred in the 2019 financial year in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The table below shows freenet AG’s historical dividend data.
| Financial year | Payment date | Total dividend per share | Ordinary dividend per share | Special dividend per share | Total dividend distribution | Shares outstanding | Closing price at fiscal year-end | Dividend yield |
| 2025 | 19.05.2026 | 2,07 € | 2,07 € | 0,00 € | 241,5 m € | 116,7 m | 29,34 € | 7,06 % |
| 2024 | 16.05.2025 | 1,97 € | 1,85 € | 0,12 € | 234,1 m € | 118,9 m | 27,54 € | 7,15 % |
| 2023 | 14.05.2024 | 1,77 € | 1,77 € | 0,00 € | 210,4 m € | 118,9 m | 25,34 € | 6,99 % |
| 2022 | 22.05.2023 | 1,68 € | 1,68 € | 0,00 € | 199,7 m € | 118,9 m | 20,42 € | 8,23 % |
| 2021 | 10.05.2022 | 1,57 € | 1,57 € | 0,00 € | 186,6 m € | 118,9 m | 23,27 € | 6,75 % |
| 2020 | 23.06.2021 | 1,65 € | 1,50 € | 0,15 € | 203,7 m € | 123,5 m | 17,20 € | 9,60 % |
| 2019 | 02.06.2020 | 0,04 € | 0,04 € | 0,00 € | 5,1 m € | 128,0 m | 20,44 € | 0,20 % |
| 2018 | 21.05.2019 | 1,65 € | 1,65 € | 0,00 € | 211,2 m € | 128,0 m | 16,95 € | 9,74 % |
| 2017 | 23.05.2018 | 1,65 € | 1,65 € | 0,00 € | 211,2 m € | 128,0 m | 30,82 € | 5,35 % |
| 2016 | 06.06.2017 | 1,60 € | 1,60 € | 0,00 € | 204,8 m € | 128,0 m | 26,76 € | 5,98 % |
| 2015 | 13.05.2016 | 1,55 € | 1,55 € | 0,00 € | 198,4 m € | 128,0 m | 31,32 € | 4,95 % |
| 2014 | 22.05.2015 | 1,50 € | 1,50 € | 0,00 € | 192,1 m € | 128,0 m | 23,70 € | 6,33 % |
| 2013 | 14.05.2014 | 1,45 € | 1,45 € | 0,00 € | 185,7 m € | 128,0 m | 21,78 € | 6,66 % |
| 2012 | 24.05.2013 | 1,35 € | 1,35 € | 0,00 € | 172,9 m € | 128,0 m | 14,00 € | 9,64 % |
| 2011 | 11.05.2012 | 1,20 € | 1,20 € | 0,00 € | 153,7 m € | 128,0 m | 10,00 € | 12,00 % |
| 2010 | 01.07.2011 | 0,80 € | 0,80 € | 0,00 € | 102,4 m € | 128,0 m | 7,90 € | 10,13 % |
| 2009 | 07.07.2010 | 0,20 € | 0,20 € | 0,00 € | 25,6 m € | 128,0 m | 9,39 € | 2,13 % |
The table below provides an overview of the tax treatment of dividend payments made by freenet AG, broken down by year of payment.
|
Year of payment |
Tax treatment |
Classification |
|
2024 |
The dividend payment was made entirely from the tax contribution account. |
Payment without deduction of withholding tax on investment income and the solidarity surcharge. |
|
2025 |
The dividend was paid with a partial deduction of withholding tax on investment income; around 60 per cent of the dividend was paid without any deduction of withholding tax on investment income. |
Partial distribution from the tax contribution account; the remaining portion was subject to the standard tax deduction. |
|
since 2026 |
The dividend will be paid net of withholding tax on investment income and the solidarity surcharge. |
Standard tax treatment as investment income in accordance with Section 20(1)(1) of the Income Tax Act (EStG). |
Note for domestic investors
In the view of the German tax authorities, for domestic investors who acquired shares in freenet AG after 31 December 2008, distributions from the tax contribution account may reduce the tax acquisition cost of the shares.
In the event of a subsequent disposal, this may result in a correspondingly higher capital gain subject to flat-rate withholding tax; in economic terms, this leads to an implicit subsequent taxation of the distribution shares previously received tax-free.
How is the dividend determined?
80% of adj. free cash flow or at least EUR 2.00 per share, whichever amount is higher.
What is the dividend for the 2025 financial year?
2.07 € per share.
Is there a minimum dividend?
Yes, 2.00 € per share.
Is the dividend subject to tax?
Since the 2026 financial year, the dividend has been fully taxable.
How does the dividend relate to the 2028 financial ambition?
The expected dividend is based directly on the target figure for adj. free cash flow set out in the 2028 financial ambition.
How is the adjusted free cash flow (adj. free cash flow) calculated and what role does it play in determining the dividend?
Adj. free cash flow is the key performance indicator used to determine the dividend and reflects the sustainable operating cash surplus.
The definition is consistent with freenet AG’s external financial reporting.
Derivation
|
Cash flow from operating activities |
|
– Cash outflows for investments in property and intangible assets |
|
+ Cash inflows from the disposal of property and intangible assets |
|
– Cash outflows for the repayment of lease liabilities |
|
= Free cash flow |
|
– Adjustments |
|
= Adjusted free cash flow (adj. free cash flow) |
Adjustments
Non-recurring and non-operating cash flows that are adjusted to determine adj. free cash flow. These include, in particular, restructuring measures, corporate transactions (acquisitions and disposals), exceptional legal or regulatory matters, and other atypical one-off effects. Regularly recurring operating cash flows are not considered to be special items.
The adjustment for special items serves to present the company’s sustainable cash flow generation in a transparent manner and on a period-appropriate basis.
Dividend yield
The dividend yield is calculated as the ratio of the dividend per share to the closing price (Xetra) at the end of the relevant financial year and represents a historical key figure as at that date.
Total distribution
Dividend per share multiplied by the number of shares outstanding during the relevant financial year.
Tax contribution account
The tax contribution account comprises contributions from shareholders that do not derive from taxed profits (e.g. capital contributions). Distributions from this account are therefore not treated as dividends for tax purposes, but as a return of capital.