CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN GREECE AND THE EU: NAVIGATING THE NEW REGULATORY, TAX, AND TRANSPARENCY FRAMEWORK
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
In recent years, crypto-assets have increasingly ceased to be regarded as a sector operating outside the scope of transparent financial regulation. Instead, both European and national legislators have adopted a comprehensive regulatory framework that progressively integrates crypto-assets and cryptocurrencies into the broader system of tax reporting, income disclosure, and taxation.
In Greece, this process is driven by the alignment of domestic tax legislation with the EU's DAC8 Directive, the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, and the adoption of new legislation, including Law No. 5273/2026, which further strengthens transparency and oversight mechanisms in the crypto-asset sector.
Monitoring of Crypto Transactions and Automatic Exchange of Information
From 2026 onwards, crypto-asset service providers are required to automatically report information on their users and crypto transactions to the relevant tax authorities. These reporting obligations are designed to enhance tax transparency, facilitate the detection of undeclared income, and strengthen tax compliance through the automatic exchange of information between competent authorities.
Law No. 5273/2026 requires licensed crypto-asset service providers to regularly submit comprehensive information on crypto transactions and the parties involved. It also provides for the establishment of a centralised crypto-asset registry linked to the verification of taxpayers through their Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM).
Transaction data will be reported to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (Ανεξάρτητη Αρχή Δημοσίων Εσόδων AADE) and may be exchanged with the tax authorities of other EU Member States in accordance with the applicable European framework for administrative cooperation. Enhanced monitoring applies to certain high-value transactions, including those exceeding EUR 50,000.
Under the current Greek tax framework, gains derived from cryptocurrency transactions are generally subject to a 15% tax rate and must be properly declared for tax purposes.
The End of Anonymity in Crypto-Asset Transactions
More than 17 years after the launch of Bitcoin, the European Union has effectively brought the era of limited transparency in the crypto-asset market to a close. The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, together with related EU legislation, establishes a harmonised regulatory framework for user identification, market supervision, and transaction monitoring across the Union.
Crypto-asset service providers are now required to obtain the appropriate regulatory authorisation, implement robust Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) procedures, and ensure greater transparency of fund transfers. In certain circumstances, these obligations also extend to transactions involving self-hosted (private) digital wallets, in accordance with the applicable EU regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
Crypto-assets have now entered an era of comprehensive tax and regulatory oversight. For crypto-asset holders and investors, this means ensuring full compliance with tax obligations, accurately reporting taxable income, and keeping pace with an increasingly sophisticated regulatory framework.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve rapidly, obtaining timely professional legal and tax advice is essential for mitigating regulatory risks, ensuring compliance, and avoiding potential penalties. Careful planning and ongoing legal support have become key elements of responsible participation in the crypto-asset market.
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