Greece Introduces 10% Crypto Tax on Gains
Starting January 1, 2027, Greece will apply a 10% tax on crypto profits above 500 euros, with 15% for staking and DeFi income. Crypto payments also fall under the new rules.
Key Takeaways
- The Greek parliament has approved new crypto tax rules. Starting January 1, 2027, a 10% tax will apply to capital gains.
- Individuals will pay 10% on annual net crypto gains above 500 euros. Losses above 500 euros can be carried forward for five years.
- Staking, crypto lending, and DeFi liquidity will be taxed at 15%, while crypto-to-crypto swaps are not taxed according to the ministry.
The Greek parliament has approved new tax rules for crypto. Starting January 1, 2027, a 10% tax will apply to capital gains from crypto, while income from staking and DeFi will be taxed separately at 15%. With this, the government wants to bring crypto investments more clearly into the national tax system.
New Rules for Gains
Individuals will pay 10% tax on annual net crypto gains above 500 euros. Once that threshold is crossed, the full profit falls under the tax. The rules apply not only when selling for euros, but also when crypto is used to pay for goods or services.
The law also includes a rule for losses. Anyone who makes more than 500 euros in crypto losses in a year can offset those losses against future gains for five years. According to the text, tax payments must be made within 60 days after filing.
Staking and DeFi Taxed Separately
Returns from staking, crypto lending, and providing liquidity to DeFi platforms are treated as interest income and taxed at 15%. That means the new law goes beyond a standard capital gains tax, since it also includes returns from holding and using crypto.
The Finance Ministry says that converting one crypto coin into another will not be taxed. At the same time, the parliament's scientific service warned that the wording of the law could still end up covering such swaps. So uncertainty remains around crypto-to-crypto transactions.
Importance for European Investors
For European crypto investors, this move shows how countries are tightening their own tax frameworks for crypto. The mix of an exemption for small gains, a separate tax on staking income, and a transition period for earlier gains could also matter for debates in other EU countries. For users who are active in DeFi or regularly swap between tokens, the practical interpretation of the rules remains especially important. In France, a similar debate is already on the table, where crypto-to-stablecoin swaps may also face higher taxes.