Countries with the lowest Bitcoin taxes in the EU

How we compared Bitcoin taxes

For a fair comparison, we focused on what a private investor pays when buying Bitcoin, holding it, and then selling it for euros. We do not analyze professional trading, large-scale mining, or companies, because in almost all countries they are taxed under different and usually higher rules.

For each country, we consider three factors: the rate applied to the gain, whether there is a holding period after which the sale is exempt, and whether there is an annual tax-free allowance. The map shows the lowest rate a private individual can achieve by complying with the rules, and in our country-specific tax guides, you'll find full details, forms, and deadlines.

Please note that crypto taxation is changing rapidly. In 2025 and 2026, several countries have increased, decreased, or introduced new taxes, and from January 1, 2026, the European DAC8 directive will oblige exchanges to report their clients' transactions to the tax authorities. Hiding gains is now virtually impossible.

Applicable rate by country

Countries where you can pay 0% for your Bitcoin

Malta is the clearest case: if you hold Bitcoin as a long-term investment, capital gains are not taxed. Only if your activity is considered commercial, for example, very frequent trading, does it become taxable as income with rates of up to 35%.

Germany is probably the most attractive large country for the patient investor. If you sell Bitcoin after holding it for more than a year, the gain is completely exempt, regardless of the amount. If you sell earlier, it is taxed at your marginal rate, but gains up to 1,000 euros per year remain tax-free.

Portugal, which for years was Europe's crypto paradise, remains very favorable: cryptocurrencies held for more than 365 days are sold tax-free, while short-term sales are taxed at 28%. Luxembourg applies a similar rule with an even shorter period: after six months of holding, the private sale is exempt.

Croatia and Czechia complete the list. In Croatia, gains are exempt after two years of holding (previously 12% was paid), and Czechia introduced an exemption in 2025 after three years, and another for those selling less than 100,000 korunas annually.

Countries with low taxes, below 10%

If you don't want to wait years to sell, some countries have very low fixed rates. Slovakia, starting in 2025, applies a reduced rate of 7% to cryptocurrencies held for more than one year, provided certain requirements are met. Cyprus introduced a specific 8% tax on crypto asset sales gains in 2026.

Bulgaria taxes gains at a flat rate of 10%, one of the lowest in the Union, and Belgium created a general 10% tax on financial capital gains in 2026, with an annual exemption of around 10,000 euros. In Belgium, however, speculative trading can be taxed at 33%.

Hungary deserves a special mention, even though its rate is 15%: exchanges between cryptocurrencies are not taxed, payment only occurs when converting to fiat money, and losses can be carried forward for two years. For many active investors, this compensates for a slightly higher rate.

EU countries with the highest taxes

At the other end are the Nordic countries and some major Western European nations. Denmark taxes cryptocurrency gains as personal income, with marginal rates that can exceed 50%. The Netherlands does not tax sales but charges around 36% annually on a presumed return on your assets, even if your coins have decreased in value.

Italy increased the cryptocurrency tax from 26% to 33% in 2026, the same rate applied by Ireland. Sweden, France, and Finland are around 30%, and Austria applies a flat rate of 27.5%. Spain is in an intermediate position, with a scale from 19% to 30% depending on the size of the gain.

Is moving for taxes worth it?

Low taxes are attractive, but moving solely for tax reasons rarely works out as well as it seems. To change your tax residency, you usually have to live more than 183 days a year in the new country and move your center of vital interests there: housing, family, and work.

Additionally, some countries apply exit taxes or continue to consider you a resident for several years after you leave. Cost of living, language, social security, and other taxes also count. Before making such a decision, speak with a tax advisor in both countries.

For most investors, the most profitable strategy is much simpler: thoroughly understand the rules of their own country, take advantage of holding periods and minimum exemptions, offset losses when allowed by law, and declare correctly to avoid penalties.

How to legally pay less tax in your country

Keep a complete history of all your purchases, sales, and exchanges from day one. Without it, you won't be able to prove your acquisition cost, and the tax authority may calculate the gain based on the total sale amount.

Check if your country has a holding period that reduces or eliminates the tax. Selling a month earlier or later can significantly change your tax bill. Also, check if you can offset losses from other cryptocurrencies or stocks, and if exchanges between cryptocurrencies are taxable, because in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, or Romania, they are not.

Finally, use MiCA-licensed exchanges that offer annual tax reports. They save you hours of work and reduce the risk of errors in your declaration.