How is crypto taxed in Austria?

Austria crypto tax rules have treated crypto like other capital investments since a 2022 reform. Gains and some ongoing income are taxed at a flat special rate of 27.5%, which does not push up the rate on your other income. Older holdings bought before March 2021 remain under the previous rules.

What is the Austria crypto tax rate?

The Federal Ministry of Finance says income from crypto is income from capital assets and is generally taxed at 27.5%. There is no tax-free holding period for coins bought after February 28, 2021, so a gain is taxable whether you sell after a week or after five years. Crypto gains and losses can be offset against other capital income, such as share gains or dividends.

Business traders and commercial miners are an exception and are taxed at progressive income tax rates. Private crypto loans also fall under progressive rates.

How is bitcoin tax in Austria calculated?

A taxable event happens when you sell bitcoin for euros or another state currency, or use it to pay for goods and services. The gain is the sale value minus the acquisition cost. For gains after 2022, the cost of coins bought in the same wallet is averaged using a moving average price in euros. For the concept, see what is crypto cost basis.

Swapping bitcoin for another crypto is tax neutral. The cost of the old coin passes to the new one, so the gain is only taxed when you eventually leave crypto. This is a notable difference from neighbouring Germany, which taxes swaps but exempts long-held coins.

Crypto bought before March 1, 2021 is "old holdings." Under the earlier rules, these are tax free when sold after more than a year, and gains within a year were taxed at progressive rates.

How are staking, mining and airdrops taxed in Austria?

Some crypto income is taxed when you receive it at 27.5%. This covers lending rewards, liquidity pool and other DeFi yields, and mining. Staking that only validates transactions is generally not taxed on receipt, while so-called staking that is really lending a coin is.

Airdrops, small bounties and coins from hard forks are not taxed on receipt. Their cost is set at zero, so the full value is taxed when you later sell. The general idea is covered in is crypto staking taxable.

How is crypto tax collected in Austria?

Austrian providers have had to withhold capital gains tax on crypto income since January 2024, and that withholding settles the tax. From 2025, providers must give customers a tax report on request, which helps with offsetting losses. Income not covered by withholding, for example on foreign exchanges, must be declared in the income tax return.

A new crypto reporting law implementing the EU's DAC8 directive took effect on January 1, 2026. Exchanges, brokers and wallet providers must report user data to the finance ministry, with the first reports for 2026 due by July 31, 2027.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.