Greece Sets 10% Crypto Capital Gains Tax With €500 Exemption, Parliament Vote in November

Greece has published a draft bill setting a 10% capital gains tax on crypto, with the first €500 of annual gains exempt — a drop from the 15% rate officials floated in June.

The legislation, now in public consultation, would give Greece its first comprehensive framework for taxing digital assets. Mining by individuals would reportedly remain untaxed, while corporate mining operations would fall under standard corporate rules. Parliament is expected to vote in November.

Where Greece sits in Europe

The 10% rate places Greece near the bottom of the European spectrum. Cyprus taxes crypto gains at 8%, Germany exempts holdings after one year, and Italy sits at 33% after a recent hike. Portugal, once a zero-tax haven, now levies 28% on short-term gains. For EU residents, the patchwork means tax residency still dictates after-tax returns more than trading skill.

Why the cut matters

The €500 exemption covers casual traders and small staking rewards without forcing them into filing complexity. Dropping from 15% to 10% signals Athens wants compliance over maximization — a lower rate with simple rules collects more than a higher rate everyone ignores. It also positions Greece as a relative haven for Mediterranean crypto users eyeing Italy's 33% or France's 30% flat tax.

What's still undefined

The draft doesn't clarify DeFi lending yields, airdrop treatment, or cross-chain swap taxation. Until those gaps close, Greek users and their advisors will rely on analogies to traditional asset rules — a recipe for disputes. For now, the headline is clear: Europe's tax harmonization is a myth, and jurisdiction shopping remains a valid strategy.