Greece Drafts 10% Tax on Cryptocurrency Gains and Staking Income
Greece has published draft legislation that would impose a 10% capital gains tax on cryptocurrency sales and transfers, with the first €500 of annual gains exempt. The proposal would also tax income from staking, lending, and liquidity provision at 10%, treating it as interest, while direct crypto-to-crypto swaps would not immediately trigger tax. A 12-month window would let individuals declare past gains without penalties, and the bill is expected to go to parliament in November.
Greece’s draft bill, released for public feedback late Thursday, would apply a 10% levy when crypto is sold or transferred. Annual gains up to €500 would be excluded, and lawmakers are expected to receive the measure in November. Gains would be measured against purchase price, with averaging rules for multiple buys.
Income from staking, lending, and liquidity pools would also be taxed at 10% as interest. Crypto-to-crypto trades would not create an immediate taxable event. A one-year window would let people report earlier gains penalty-free. EU treatment ranges from 8% to 30%, and most local investors use overseas platforms.
Greek crypto holders, particularly those using overseas exchanges, may face new reporting and tax obligations. The €500 exemption and one-year declaration window could encourage some to regularize past activity, while the 10% rate may shape decisions around trading, staking, lending, and liquidity provision. Because most activity occurs abroad, enforcement could rely on EU data-sharing, potentially adding compliance burdens and privacy concerns. With no official revenue estimate, the fiscal effect remains uncertain.