DeutschIn Austria, significantly different rules have applied to cryptocurrencies since the 2022 tax reform compared to just a few years ago. While Bitcoin gains could previously be sold tax-free under certain conditions, many crypto earnings are now subject to a capital gains tax (KESt) of 27.5 percent.
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The distinction between so-called old assets and new assets is particularly important here. Additionally, staking, lending, mining, and airdrops have their own specific tax regulations. Anyone trading cryptocurrencies or earning income from digital assets in Austria should document all transactions as precisely as possible.
Since 2026, new EU-wide reporting obligations for crypto service providers have also taken effect. This further increases transparency for tax authorities.
| Area | Regulation in Austria |
| Tax rate on crypto gains | 27.5% KESt |
| Tax-free sales after 1 year? | Only for old assets |
| Crypto-to-crypto exchange | Generally tax-neutral |
| Staking taxable? | Yes, at the latest upon sale |
| Mining taxable? | Yes |
| Loss offsetting possible? | Partially yes |
The Most Important Facts About Crypto Taxes in Austria
- Since March 2022, cryptocurrencies in Austria are generally treated as income from capital assets for tax purposes.
- A fixed special tax rate of 27.5% applies to many crypto gains.
- The former tax-free speculation period only applies to old assets.
- Exchanging between two cryptocurrencies generally does not trigger an immediate tax liability in Austria.
- Earnings from staking, lending, or mining can be taxable.
- Certain losses can be offset against other capital income.
When are Cryptocurrencies Taxable in Austria?
Not every crypto transaction automatically leads to a tax liability. The type of transaction is particularly crucial. In this section, we explain exactly when taxes apply to your cryptocurrencies in Austria. The following table also provides an overview of the most important information.
| Transaction | Tax Treatment |
| Purchase of cryptocurrencies | No tax |
| Sale for Euros | Taxable |
| Crypto-to-crypto exchange | Generally tax-neutral |
| Paying with cryptocurrencies | Can be taxable |
| Staking earnings | Tax-relevant |
| Mining earnings | Taxable |
Sale for Euros or Fiat Currency
As soon as cryptocurrencies are sold for Euros or other national currencies, a taxable event generally arises. If a taxable gain exists, the special tax rate of 27.5 percent usually applies in Austria.
Crypto-to-Crypto Transactions
A significant difference from many other countries: The direct exchange between cryptocurrencies is generally not considered a taxable sale in Austria. For example, if you exchange Bitcoin for Ethereum, this usually does not immediately trigger a KESt liability. The tax burden usually only arises later upon conversion to fiat currency or other tax-relevant transactions.
Payments with Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies
If you want to pay with cryptocurrencies, you must also consider the tax implications in Austria. For tax purposes, the payment is treated as if the cryptocurrency used was first sold and then used to purchase the goods or services. This means that capital gains tax can also apply when paying with cryptocurrencies, provided a taxable increase in value has occurred since the original purchase.
How are Cryptocurrency Gains Calculated?
For tax calculation, the difference between acquisition costs and sales proceeds is generally used.
Additionally, certain costs can be considered, for example:
- Fees from crypto exchanges
- Trading fees
- Transaction costs
- Wallet costs
The more extensive the trading activities become, the more important it is to meticulously prepare all data.
FIFO Method in Austria
In Austria, the FIFO principle is often applied.
FIFO stands for “First In First Out.” For tax purposes, it is assumed that the coins purchased first are also sold first.
Especially with regular purchases via crypto savings plans or multiple subsequent purchases, this can significantly influence the later tax calculation.
Which Cryptocurrencies are Considered Old Assets in Austria?
The tax treatment in Austria heavily depends on the acquisition date.
Cryptocurrencies purchased up to and including February 28, 2021, are considered old assets. The old regulation remains in effect for these coins. Gains from sales after a one-year holding period can still be tax-free.
All cryptocurrencies acquired from March 1, 2021, onwards are considered new assets for tax purposes. For these holdings, the new taxation with 27.5% KESt applies, regardless of the holding period.
Long-term investors, in particular, should therefore meticulously document their older holdings to be able to prove old assets if necessary.
Loss Offsetting for Cryptocurrencies
Not only gains but also losses play an important role for tax purposes.
Under certain conditions, losses from cryptocurrencies can be offset against other income from capital assets. However, there are limitations. For example, a general offsetting with traditional savings interest is not possible.
In many cases, loss offsetting does not occur automatically via the exchange but only as part of the tax return.
Especially after sharp price drops or exchange insolvencies, professional tax processing can be advisable.
How are Staking, Lending, and DeFi Taxed in Austria?
In addition to classic trading, many investors use additional opportunities to generate ongoing income with cryptocurrencies.
This includes, in particular:
- Staking
- Lending
- Liquidity Mining
- Yield Farming
- DeFi Protocols
Depending on their structure, these earnings can be treated differently for tax purposes.
Staking and Lending
For certain staking or lending earnings, there is initially no immediate taxation at the time of receipt.
Instead, the acquisition costs of the received coins are often set at €0. This can make the entire proceeds taxable later upon sale.
Especially with international platforms or more complex DeFi protocols, tax traceability quickly becomes challenging.
Mining and Commercial Activities
Mining in Austria is often no longer considered purely asset management.
Anyone operating larger mining setups or generating regular income can quickly fall into the realm of commercial activity. This can result in completely different tax consequences than private trading.
Airdrops and Hard Forks
Even free token inflows can become tax-relevant.
Depending on the design of the respective project, the receipt itself may have tax implications, or only the later sale of the received coins.
How Does KESt Deduction Work with Austrian Crypto Exchanges?
For capital gains from cryptocurrencies after December 31, 2023, domestic crypto service providers must, under certain conditions, withhold capital gains tax and remit it to the tax office.
This is intended to simplify tax processing for investors.
However, those who use international platforms or foreign exchanges often have to fulfill their tax obligations themselves as part of their tax return.
DAC8 and New Crypto Reporting Obligations
Within the European Union, increasingly uniform reporting obligations for crypto service providers are emerging.
DAC8 is one of the bases for this. This will make it significantly easier for tax authorities to obtain information about crypto transactions in the future.
The first reports for the 2026 reporting period are expected in 2027.
Investors with larger volumes or international exchange accounts, in particular, should therefore assume that transactions will remain traceable in the long term.
Which Documents Should Crypto Investors Keep?
The most complete possible documentation remains one of the most important aspects of cryptocurrency taxation.
In particular, the following should be kept:
- CSV exports from crypto exchanges
- Wallet addresses
- Tax reports
- Transaction histories
- Deposit and withdrawal proofs
- Fee overviews
Especially with multiple wallets or DeFi applications, traceability can quickly be lost.
| The most important advice from tax experts is:
→ Anyone investing in cryptocurrencies should document all transactions as completely as possible from the outset. |
Conclusion: What You Should Know About Cryptocurrency Taxation in Austria
Austria now has comparatively clear rules for the taxation of cryptocurrencies. The introduction of the fixed KESt rate of 27.5% in particular has provided more tax predictability.
Nevertheless, the matter remains complex. Old assets, DeFi applications, international exchanges, or commercial activities can quickly lead to complicated individual cases.
Anyone who regularly trades cryptocurrencies or generates additional income should therefore meticulously document their activities and seek professional support for larger amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cryptocurrency Taxation in Austria
- Are crypto-to-crypto trades taxable in Austria?
No, simply exchanging one cryptocurrency for another is generally considered tax-neutral in Austria.
- Are cryptocurrencies tax-free in Austria after 1 year?
Only for so-called legacy assets. Cryptocurrencies purchased before March 1, 2021, can be sold tax-free after the one-year holding period has expired.
- How high is the crypto tax in Austria?
The crypto tax rate on profits in Austria is generally the capital gains tax (KESt) of 27.5 percent.
Further Crypto Tax Guides & Tools:
- Taxation of Cryptocurrencies in Germany
- Taxation of Cryptocurrencies in Switzerland
- The Best Crypto Tax Tools Compared 2026
