Greece Approves 10% Tax on Crypto Gains and 15% on DeFi Income
Greece has approved a dedicated crypto tax framework, setting a 10% tax on cryptocurrency gains and a 15% levy on DeFi income. Investors will have 12 months to declare past gains without late-filing penalties; annual gains up to €500 are exempt.
Key takeaways
- Greece approved a 10% tax on cryptocurrency gains.
- The framework sets a 15% levy on DeFi income.
- Investors have 12 months to declare past crypto gains without late-filing penalties.
- Annual crypto gains up to €500 are exempt.
- The tax treatment of crypto-to-crypto swaps remains unclear.
Greece has approved its first dedicated crypto tax framework, with a 10% tax on cryptocurrency gains and a 15% levy on income from decentralized finance (DeFi). Investors will have 12 months to declare past crypto gains without late-filing penalties.
A separate report from Bitcoin Magazine says annual crypto gains up to €500 are exempt. The available reporting leaves an important practical question open: how Greece will treat crypto-to-crypto swaps.
What do Greece’s crypto tax rates cover?
The framework sets different rates for gains from cryptocurrencies and income from DeFi: 10% and 15%, respectively. The €500 annual exemption reported by Bitcoin Magazine applies to crypto gains; the information provided does not clarify whether it also applies to DeFi income.
For people who have not reported earlier crypto gains, the 12-month window offers a chance to declare them without late-filing penalties. The reports do not specify the exact deadline or explain how investors should calculate taxable amounts.
What should crypto investors in Greece watch for?
The treatment of crypto-to-crypto swaps remains uncertain. A swap can change a holding from one token to another without converting it to euros, so investors will need clear guidance on whether that counts as a taxable gain and how to value it.
The practical next step is to look for Greece’s implementation guidance, especially details on the 12-month declaration period, the €500 exemption, and how DeFi income and token swaps are reported. Unlike a tax rate alone, those rules determine what records an investor may need to keep and when a tax bill may arise.
Frequently asked questions
What is Greece’s new tax rate on crypto gains?
Greece approved a 10% tax on cryptocurrency gains.
How will DeFi income be taxed in Greece?
The approved framework sets a 15% levy on DeFi income.
Can Greek investors declare past crypto gains without a penalty?
Yes. Investors have 12 months to declare past crypto gains without late-filing penalties. The reports provided do not state the exact deadline.
Are any crypto gains exempt from tax in Greece?
Bitcoin Magazine reports that annual gains up to €500 are exempt. The available information does not explain how the exemption is calculated or whether it applies to DeFi income.