Crypto Tax Guide Germany for 2025: Kryptowährung Steuer

Arthur Teller
ByArthur Teller, CPAReviewed byTynisa (Ty) Gaines, EAUpdated on June 24, 2025 · minute read
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  • Hold crypto 12 months and gains are tax-free. Sell sooner and profits above €600 are taxed up to 45% plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge.

  • Mining, staking, and lending rewards are ordinary income when received. File the 2025 return by July 31 2026 (or Feb 2027 with a Steuerberater) and keep records for ten years.

Is cryptocurrency taxed in Germany?

Yes. For individuals, crypto is “private money” (Privatvermögen) under §23 EStG. Gains on disposals within 12 months are taxable as other income. Gains after 12 months are tax-free. Businesses are always taxed on crypto profits.

How much is cryptocurrency taxed in Germany?

  • Short-term gains: added to your taxable income and taxed at 14-45% plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge on the calculated tax; church tax may apply.

  • Tax-free allowance: the first €600 of total short-term gains per calendar year is exempt.

  • Long-term gains: 0% tax when the holding period exceeds 12 months.

Learn more about crypto tax free countries.

How different crypto transactions are taxed in Germany

Buying and holding cryptocurrency

Purchases with euros are not taxed. Hold at least 12 months to qualify for the full exemption on gains.

Selling cryptocurrency

Selling or spending crypto within 12 months triggers income tax on the net gain. After 12 months the gain is tax-free.

Mining and staking

Rewards are taxable income at euro market value on the day credited. The one-year tax-free holding period applies from that date.

Crypto-to-crypto trades taxed

Swapping BTC for ETH counts as two disposals. Gains within 12 months are taxable. After 12 months they are exempt.

Receiving cryptocurrency as payment

Salary or freelance fees paid in crypto are income subject to payroll tax (PAYE) or self-employment tax at receipt.

Capital gains tax in Germany

There is no separate capital-gains tax: taxable crypto gains are included in your Einkommensteuer assessment. Use the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method per BMF letter of 10 May 2022 when specific units cannot be identified.

See our expert picks of the best crypto trading bots.

How are crypto losses taxed in Germany?

Short-term crypto losses can offset other short-term crypto gains in the same year. Unused losses carry forward and can offset future taxable crypto gains but not wage income. Long-term disposals do not create deductible losses.

How are crypto airdrops taxed in Germany?

Most airdrops are treated as “other income” (§22 Nr 3 EStG) at market value when received. Dispose within 12 months and any gain is taxable. After 12 months, it is tax-free.

How is DeFi taxed in Germany?

Revenue from lending, liquidity pools, or yield farms is ordinary income at receipt. Token swaps inside DeFi protocols follow the same 12-month rule for gains. Gas fees are deductible acquisition or disposal costs.

Corporate tax for crypto businesses in Germany

Companies pay 15% corporate-income tax plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge on that tax, and trade tax of roughly 14% (rate varies by municipality). The 12-month exemption does not apply to business assets.

Regulatory compliance for crypto in Germany

Custody or exchange services require a BaFin licence under the German Banking Act. VASPs must abide by AML and travel-rule reporting. Private investors face no registration, but exchanges share data with tax authorities.

Income tax on crypto activities in Germany

If trading frequency and organisational effort indicate a commercial activity, profits are business income. Otherwise they remain private disposals under §23 EStG. Costs such as electricity for mining are deductible only against taxable income.

Crypto as payment for goods and services

Paying with crypto constitutes a disposal. VAT is due on the underlying good or service, not on the crypto itself.

See our expert picks of the best crypto loans.

How to avoid cryptocurrency taxes in Germany

  • Hold each coin at least 12 months to use the full tax exemption.

  • Keep annual gains under €600 if selling within 12 months.

  • Harvest crypto losses inside the same calendar year to offset taxable gains.

Tax-free cryptocurrency transactions in Germany

  • Holding crypto longer than 12 months before disposal.

  • Total annual short-term gains up to €600.

  • Moving coins between wallets you own.

Record-keeping for crypto transactions in Germany

Retain purchase and sale dates, euro values, wallet addresses, and exchange statements for ten years as required by §147 AO.

Learn how to reduce your crypto taxes.

Filing deadlines for crypto taxes in Germany

  • July 31: file the prior year’s Einkommensteuererklärung.

  • End of February: extended deadline if a certified tax adviser files.

  • Back taxes plus interest accrue if you miss these dates.

What types of records do I need for my crypto taxes?

Keep CSV exports, invoices, on-chain transaction IDs, and evidence of mining costs (electricity bills, hardware invoices) to substantiate every figure on your return.

How to file crypto taxes in Germany

Use ELSTER online. Report taxable gains in Anlage SO, mining or staking income in Anlage S (sole trader) or Anlage G (freelance), and payroll-crypto in Anlage N. Attach a FIFO worksheet if requested.

How to calculate your crypto taxes in Germany?

Convert each transaction to euros on the day it occurs, apply FIFO, group by holding period, subtract allowable costs, and apply the progressive income-tax table and solidarity surcharge.

Use our free crypto tax calculator.

Crypto taxes in Germany FAQs

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Arthur Teller
Arthur TellerCOO (Former) at TokenTax
Arthur came to TokenTax after 12 years at KPMG. A specialist in partnership taxation and enterprise tax software, he is a licensed CPA in both California and Illinois and a member of the AICPA.
Tynisa (Ty) Gaines
Reviewed byTynisa (Ty) GainesTax Expert at TokenTax
Tynisa (Ty) Gaines, EA has more than 20 years of experience as a tax professional. Ty has published numerous tax articles, two tax e-books, and an academic publication on cryptocurrency for the National Income Tax Workbook.

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