New Framework for Digital Asset Taxation

The Hellenic Parliament approved legislation introducing a 10% tax on cryptocurrency gains as part of a broader financial reform package covering loan oversight, debt protections and market supervision. The measure marks Greece’s initial comprehensive approach to taxing digital assets, with the rate set below the 15% figure discussed in earlier drafts.

According to multiple reports, the bill passed on November 5 and will take effect on January 1, 2027. A senior Finance Ministry official noted that further implementation directives on transparency and audit rules will be issued in the coming weeks.

Tax Treatment of Different Activities

Profits from the sale of cryptocurrencies are subject to the 10% levy on net gains, calculated as the difference between acquisition and transfer prices after deducting related costs. Swapping one cryptocurrency for another does not generate taxable income. Purchases of goods or services with cryptocurrencies may trigger capital gains tax under certain conditions.

Returns from staking, lending cryptocurrencies and providing liquidity to decentralized protocols are classified separately as interest income, subject to a 15% tax rate. Inheritance and gift taxation will use prices from recognized platforms on the previous day, while employee benefits, partnerships and stockholder benefits are evaluated at market value upon receipt.

Voluntary Disclosure and Transitional Rules

Investors gain a 12-month window from the law’s publication to voluntarily declare previously unreported gains. Those who file must pay the associated tax within 60 days to avoid penalties and interest. Crypto asset sales remain exempt from the Digital Transaction Fee.

Greek authorities have not produced a revenue estimate, citing the challenge of measuring the domestic market where most activity occurs on overseas platforms. Purchases of cryptocurrencies from 2027 will also face existing “source of funds” checks to verify legitimate origins of capital.

Comparison With Other European Approaches

Greece’s 10% rate places the country in the lower end of EU cryptocurrency taxation, below France’s 30% and above Cyprus’s 8%. Other member states continue to vary in their treatment, with some exempting holdings after one year.

The European Union’s DAC8 rules, which require crypto service providers to report transactions to national authorities, have been in effect since January 2026, with information exchanges beginning in 2027. Greece’s legislation complements these requirements by adding domestic taxation on digital assets.