🇪🇺 Europe

Crypto & taxes in Germany

Favorable
Long-term exemption
Tax-free after 12 months
Annual exemption limit
€1,000
Sale within 1 year
Income-tax rate up to 45%

Crypto regulation

Germany implemented MiCAR through the Finanzmarktdigitalisierungsgesetz (FinmadiG), which contains the Kryptomärkteaufsichtsgesetz (KMAG), published in late December 2024. BaFin is the competent authority for CASP authorisation and supervision; the transition period ends 1 July 2026.

Taxation

For individuals, crypto are private assets (§23 EStG): gains are tax-free if held longer than 12 months. If sold within a year and the annual €1,000 Freigrenze is reached, the entire gain is taxed at the progressive income-tax rate (up to 45% plus solidarity surcharge).

Useful information

The €1,000 limit is a Freigrenze (not an allowance): once reached the whole gain is taxable, but it applies per person. The reference guidance is the BMF letter of 6 March 2025, introducing transaction record-keeping duties; from 2026 the DAC8 data exchange also applies.

Official sources

Last verified: . For information only, not legal or tax advice: rules change, always check the official source.