Greece Introduces 10% Tax on Cryptocurrency Profits

The Ministry of National Economy and Finance of Greece has proposed a 10% tax on profits from cryptocurrency transfers with an annual exemption up to €500. The bill is open for public consultation and is expected to be submitted to parliament in November. According to the document, if a taxpayer cannot verify the acquisition cost of the cryptocurrency, it is assumed to be zero, which may lead to taxation of the entire sale amount. Documents from crypto providers and intermediaries, as well as blockchain transaction data, are accepted.

The exemption up to €500 applies only if the total annual net income is below the threshold. Losses above €500 can be carried forward for up to five years and offset against future income from crypto transfers, but not against other types of income. Using cryptocurrency to purchase goods or services is also considered a taxable transfer. Income from lending, providing liquidity, and staking is treated as interest rather than capital gains. Purchasing cryptocurrency is considered an expense for acquiring an asset, so taxpayers will need to verify the source of funds even if they continue to hold the assets. The provisions are planned to be applied from January 1, 2027.

The bill also allows for voluntary declaration of crypto profits earned before the rules come into effect. There is a 12-month period for declaration, a 60-day period for paying the 10% tax, and penalties and interest are waived if paid on time. Declared profits can cover tax presumptions, but the initial capital for purchasing cryptocurrencies is not considered for these purposes. Cryptocurrency sales are exempt from the Digital Transaction Fee starting December 1, 2026. In addition to cryptocurrency taxation, the bill includes mandatory electronic payments for courier orders with payment upon delivery and new procedures for bank borrowers, including limits on advance payments, response times, free debt information, and automatic recalculation.

Earlier in June 2026, a 15% rate was discussed, but the latest draft reduced it to 10%, retaining the €500 exemption. Greek officials have not estimated potential revenue, as most local crypto investors use platforms outside the country. Public consultations close on October 22, and the government plans to seek parliamentary approval in the first week of November. For comparison, Austria introduced 27.5% in March 2022, France introduced 30% in December 2018, and Germany reportedly plans 25% from 2028.