Austria Crypto Tax Guide 2026
Since March 2021, Austria treats capital gains from cryptocurrencies as investment income subject to 27.5% KESt (Kapitalertragsteuer). Crypto is classified as a financial instrument under the Einkommensteuergesetz. Trading volume over €440 per year is taxable; under that threshold it is tax-free. Staking, lending, and mining are treated as income from services.
The Austrian tax treatment of crypto assets was fundamentally reformed by the Abgabenänderungsgesetz 2020, effective from March 1, 2021. Before that date, crypto gains were taxed as speculative income (Spekulationsgeschäft) after a 1-year holding period exemption. Since March 2021, crypto is classified as a "neuartiges Finanzinstrument" (new-type financial instrument) under §27b EStG. Gains from disposal, exchange, or use for payments are subject to 27.5% KESt. The holding period exemption no longer applies.
Taxation of Crypto Gains (27.5% KESt)
Since March 1, 2021, gains from the sale, exchange, or use of cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) are taxed at 27.5% as Kapitalerträge. This applies to: selling crypto for fiat (EUR), exchanging one crypto for another (e.g., BTC to ETH), using crypto to pay for goods or services, and disposing of crypto in any other way. Losses can be offset against other crypto gains (Verlustausgleich). However, crypto losses cannot offset gains from traditional investments like stocks or dividends. The cost basis is determined using the average acquisition cost method (Durchschnittspreis) per wallet or exchange.
Tax-Free Threshold (€440)
If your total annual trading volume (not profit, but total transactions) exceeds €440, you are subject to tax on gains. Below this threshold, gains from crypto are tax-free. This is a hard threshold — exceeding €440 by even €1 makes all gains (not just the excess) taxable. The limit applies per person, not per asset. Transactions counted include all disposals: sales, exchanges, payments. Importantly, transfers between your own wallets are not considered disposals.
Staking, Lending, and Mining Income
Staking rewards, lending interest, and mining income are treated as income from services (Einkünfte aus Leistungen) or other income (Sonstige Einkünfte), not as capital gains. This means they are taxed at progressive Einkommensteuer rates (0-55%) rather than the flat 27.5% KESt. Staking rewards from Proof-of-Stake protocols are generally taxable at the time of receipt (when credited to your wallet). Mining income (transaction fees + block rewards) is also progressive-rate income, with the added benefit that business expenses (hardware, electricity) can be deducted. Airdrops are typically tax-free if received without consideration (but gains on subsequent disposal are taxable at 27.5%).
FAQs
Do I need to report crypto on my tax return?
Yes. Since 2022, Austrian crypto exchanges and platforms must report transactions to the Finanzamt under the DAC7/CARF reporting framework. If you use a non-Austrian exchange, you must self-report. Crypto gains are reported in the KEST-Erklärung or the Einkommensteuererklärung (Anlage KEST or Anlage NEUE ART). The Finanzamt can request wallet addresses and transaction histories. Penalties for non-reporting range from administrative fines to criminal prosecution for tax evasion over €500,000.
What is the cost basis method for crypto?
The Durchschnittspreis (average cost) method is mandatory for crypto since March 2021. You calculate the average acquisition cost of all units of a given crypto asset in your wallet, then apply that average to each disposal. FIFO is no longer accepted for crypto. Tracking must be done per wallet/exchange account. If you hold the same crypto on multiple exchanges, different average prices may apply per account. Professional accounting software or crypto tax tools (e.g., Blockpit, Cointracking) are strongly recommended.
Is DeFi (Decentralized Finance) taxable?
Yes. DeFi activities are taxable in Austria. Providing liquidity to DEXs, yield farming, and lending/borrowing all create taxable events. The specific treatment depends on the activity: swapping tokens is a taxable disposal (27.5%), earning interest or fees is progressive-rate income, receiving governance tokens as rewards is taxable at receipt. The complexity of DeFi transactions (multiple hops, wrapped tokens, impermanent loss) makes accurate tracking difficult. The Finanzamt expects taxpayers to make reasonable efforts to track and report all transactions.