Portugal Crypto Tax Guide 2024

Portugal has been a cradle for crypto investors ever since Bitcoin blew up and people started making astronomical gains on their investments. This compelled authorities in Portugal to moderate the space with taxes. Portugal has often been referred to as El Dorado for such investors.

Up until now.

In October 2022, the OECD published its final guidance on the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework and Amendments to the Common Reporting Standard set forth to announce compliance with the international crypto transparency standards. The Portuguese State Budget for 2023 modified the definition of crypto assets to accommodate crypto taxation and eliminate the existing tax loopholes that prevented crypto taxation. 

If you’re curious about what has changed and how that will affect you, you’ve landed right where you should because we will tell you everything you need to know to conveniently file your crypto taxes at the end of this financial year.

How is Crypto Taxed in Portugal?

According to the changes proposed by the new budget, crypto assets are now defined as "any digital representation of value or rights that can be transferred or stored electronically using distributed ledger technology or similar". Which considers every class of crypto asset except single crypto and non-fungible tokens.

This definition complies with the agreement reached within the Regulation of the European Parliament, the Council on Markets in Crypto-assets and Amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937. Crypto assets are taxable in Portugal starting 2023, and any gains made from the disposal of such assets will be subjected to capital gains tax. Any income generated from these assets is considered business income and taxed accordingly.

In Portugal, there are three categories for crypto transactions:

PIT Category E (Capital Income): A Tax rate of 28% applies.

PIT Category G (Capital Gains Income): The Tax rate ranges from 14% to 53% based on the duration of holding the assets.

PIT Category B (Self Employement Income): Income derived from personal involvement in crypto issuance events like mining, staking, and ICOs

These categories are discussed in further detail later in the blog. The income generated from crypto transactions is subject to a progressive tax rate that varies from 14% to 53% based on your total income.

Example:

Consider the following transactions:

You bought 1 BTC for €12,000 in March 2022, and you later disposed of that BTC in July 2022 for €16,000.

Now capital gain/loss is simply the difference between the disposal amount and the cost basis (the amount paid for acquiring the asset).

Capital Gain/Loss =  €16,000 -  €12,000 =  €4,000

A flat rate of 28% is charged on this €4,000 gain. If your taxable income, including aggregate gains and losses, reaches or exceeds €78,834, progressive tax rates ranging from 14.5% to 53% will be applied to those gains based on your income level.

Moreover, for any gains incurred from transactions that are not mining profits, not airdrops, not NFTs, not PoS newly minted tokens and not capital gains, 15% of the income is taxable under the regular income tax brackets, and 85% is pure profit.

For instance, if you make a €100 gain, then €15 will be taxable under existing income tax brackets and the rest €85 will be profit.

Crypto Capital Gains Tax

Since crypto assets now have a new definition which allows for their taxation, any gains incurred from the disposal of crypto assets will be subjected to a capital gains tax. Unlike most European countries, Portugal doesn't have a progressive tax system and levies a flat tax rate across all capital gains transactions, irrespective of income group, demographic, or any other categorisation. A flat rate will apply to a positive balance of capital gains and losses arising from the disposal of said assets unless they are held for more than 365 days, in which case the transactions will be tax exempt. Although such transactions need to be reported on the tax return.

Capital Gains Tax Rate Portugal

There are three categories your transaction might fall into for tax purposes. Of which two categories attract capital gains tax.

PIT Category E(Capital Income)When you receive compensation in fiat currency as a result of your passive crypto investments, without involving any crypto transactions, it falls under this classification. The tax rate applied to such income is a fixed 28%. This category applies if your crypto income doesn't fall under any other classification.

PIT Category G(Capital Gains Income)In Portugal, the taxation of crypto assets entails several factors to consider. If you’ve held crypto for less than one year, any capital gains made with fiat currency will be subject to a 28% tax rate. On the other hand, gains accumulated over a year are tax exempt.

Security tokens are classified as securities and are taxed accordingly. Moreover, capital gains and losses from the sale of shares and other securities must be aggregated if they are held for less than 365 days and the total tax base in a year exceeds EUR 78,834.

The 365-day rule does not apply to individuals or entities outside the European Economic Area or jurisdictions without a Double Tax Agreement. If a person stops being a tax resident of Portugal, an Exit Tax of 28% will be imposed on all crypto assets held at the time, based on the difference between their market value and acquisition value determined through the FIFO accounting method.

PIT Category B(Independent Worker, Contractor)

Transactions involving the issuance of crypto assets, such as mining or validating crypto asset transactions through consensus mechanisms, are considered commercial and industrial activities and are taxed at a progressive rate ranging between 14.5 to 53% depending on the total income.

Income derived from the aforementioned transactions is considered realized at the moment of transferring the crypto assets in exchange for consideration. Termination of the activity or loss of Portuguese residency is treated as equivalent to transfers for consideration.

How to Calculate Crypto Gains and Losses

In Portugal, capital gains are taxable, and losses can be deducted from taxes. Therefore, it is important to understand how to calculate your crypto gains and losses accurately. The process involves two steps when dealing with a tax system that imposes capital gains tax on crypto disposals.

Firstly, you need to calculate the cost basis for each asset that you have sold, gifted, or exchanged during the tax year. This includes adding up the acquisition cost and any associated fees such as transaction fees and gas fees. You can deduct the following expenses during cost basis calculations:

Blockchain transaction fees Centralized Exchange transaction feesProfessional costs to draw up a contract for the acquisition or disposal of the tokensCosts of making a valuation or apportionment to be able to calculate gains or losses

You can use the FIFO accounting method to calculate the cost basis and once the cost basis is determined, you can calculate your capital gains or losses by subtracting the cost basis from the disposal amount. If the result is positive, it represents a gain and is subject to capital gains tax. Conversely, if the result is negative, it indicates a loss. Although losses do not incur tax liabilities, it is essential to track them as they can be deducted from your taxes in Portugal.

Example:

Consider the following set of transactions:

13/01/23 - Kevin bought 12 BTC for €12,000 each12/02/23 - Kevin bought 10 ETH tokens for €1,400 each15/03/23 - Kevin sells 12 BTC for €20,000 each17/04/23 - Kevin sells 10 ETH for €1,800 each

As evident from the above ledger, Kevin made 2 disposals, so let’s calculate the collective gain from both disposals.

1st Disposal

12 BTC sold for €20,000 each

Note that we will use the FIFO accounting method, as recommended by the tax authorities, to calculate individual gains. With FIFO, you sell the first asset you bought as an investor.

These BTC tokens are the same ones acquired on 13/01/23 for €12,000 each

Cost basis = €12,000

Disposal Amount = €20,000

Capital Gains/loss = Disposal Amount - Cost Basis = €20,000 - €12,000 = €8,000 (For 1 BTC)

Gain from 12 BTC = 12*8,000 = €96,000

2nd Disposal

10 ETH sold for €1,800 each

These ETH tokens are the same ones acquired on 12/02/23 for €1,400 each

Cost Basis = €1,400

Disposal Amount = €1,800

Capital Gain = Disposal Amount - Cost basis = €1,800 - €1,400 = €400(for 1 ETH)

Gain from 10 ETH = 10*400 = €4,000

Total Gain from both disposals = €96,000 + €4,000 = €1,00,000

The gains will be taxed at a flat 28% tax rate since the disposal was made within a year.

Crypto Losses

According to the new tax regime, losses incurred via the disposal of crypto assets can be treated as tax-deductible in Portugal, given that losses are reported on the tax return in the same year they occur. A negative balance between crypto gains and losses can be used to offset up to 70% of your gains and can be carried forward for up to 5 years. Lost or Stolen Crypto

In Portugal, lost or stolen crypto is not considered a tax-deductible expense. This means you cannot claim a deduction for any losses incurred due to theft, loss, or other similar circumstances. However, if you have suffered a loss due to theft or another crime, you may be able to claim compensation or insurance benefits, which could help to offset your losses.

Crypto Tax Breaks Portugal

Although the crypto tax regime in Portugal is new and barely talked about, we were able to extract a few strategies that may help you lower your tax bill. However, note that this is purely subject to the assumption that no new additions will be made to the new tax regime this year.

Long-Term Capital Gains Tax

As previously mentioned in the blog, if you’ve held your crypto for more than a year, you don’t need to pay any taxes on your gains unless the assets in your portfolio are categorised as securities.

Gift Crypto to Your Friends and Family

If you donate to a family member or friend, it may be subject to the gift tax. The gift tax rate in Portugal varies depending on the value of the gift and the relationship between the donor and the recipient.

For example, if you give a gift to a spouse, descendant, or ascendant, the gift tax rate is 0.8% for gifts up to €1,000,000 and 1.2% for gifts over €1,000,000. For gifts to other individuals, the gift tax rate is 10%.

Convert Crypto to Stablecoins

Crypto-to-crypto trades are tax-free in Portugal and investors can couple this with the 365 day rule to pay zero taxes on their gains. So, Instead of converting crypto assets to fiat, investors can convert them to stablecoins to avoid immediate taxation.

This has two direct benefits-

Investors can escape market volatility, keeping their gains safeThe stablecoins, once held for 365 days or more, become tax free

Here’s an example-

Let’s say Lisbon buys 20 ETH for €40,000 in June 2021 and her investment grows to €65,000 in January 2022. Now, Lisbon wants to keep her gains safe from market volatility, but at the same time doesn’t want to pay capital gains tax.

She can do this by simply converting her ETH tokens to USDT and since crypto-to-crypto trades (or Crypto Swaps) are tax-free in Portugal, the event doesn’t trigger any tax liabilities. Now, all Lisbon needs to do is hold these stablecoins for over a year and then convert them to fiat to enjoy her tax-free gains.

Donate Your Crypto

In Portugal, individuals who donate to registered nonprofit organisations can qualify for tax exemptions on their income tax returns. The tax exemption is calculated at 25% of the donated value, with a maximum limit of 15% of the donor's taxable income.

This means that individuals can donate up to 15% of their taxable income and receive a tax deduction equivalent to 25% of the donation amount. To be eligible for the tax exemption, the nonprofit organisation must be registered with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and meet specific criteria. The donation must be made by a Portuguese resident or a non-resident who receives income from Portuguese sources.

Crypto Cost Basis Method Portugal

The most commonly used method is FIFO (First-In, First-Out) accounting, which assumes that the first items purchased are the first items sold or used. While businesses in Portugal are not prohibited from using LIFO or HIFO accounting, they may need to justify their use of these methods and demonstrate that they are consistent with GAAP and accurately reflect the company's financial position.

Here’s an example that explains how FIFO accounting works:

Let's say you bought 1 Bitcoin (BTC) for €5,000 on January 1st, another 2 BTC for €7,000(each) on March 1st, and 3 BTC for €8,000(each) on May 1st. On June 1st, you decide to sell 1 BTC for €12,000.

Based on the FIFO accounting method, the BTC you sold would be the first one you bought in January, with a cost basis of €5,000. You sold it for €12,000, resulting in a capital gain of €7,000.

Crypto Income Tax Portugal

Under Portugal's tax laws, income from transactions involving crypto-assets is considered professional or commercial. If the taxpayer's gross business income in the previous fiscal year is below €200,000, it will be taxed as business income.

For income generated from crypto-asset operations conducted as a business, 15% of the gross income will be subject to progressive tax rates without considering other deductions or costs. The effective tax rate should not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds in such cases. In the case of mining activities, 95% of the gross income will be taxable at progressive rates.

Income Tax Rate Portugal

Income derived from crypto transactions is taxed at a progressive tax rate ranging between 14-48%. Non residents pay a flat tax rate of 25% on any Portugese-sourced income.

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How to Calculate Crypto Income

Calculating your crypto income is a fairly straightforward process, you just need to add all the individual gains and any additional income incurred from activities like staking and mining. The value of the assets received as mining and staking rewards is simply taken to be the fair market value of the assets upon disposal.

Tax-Free Crypto Transactions

Under the new tax regime in Portugal, most crypto transactions are now taxable. However, there are still some transactions that remain tax-free-

• Buying crypto with fiat
• Buying/selling/trading NFTs
• Holding crypto for over a year
• Trading one crypto for another
• Inheriting crypto assets
• Transferring crypto assets between wallets

Taxed Crypto Transactions

Here are taxable crypto transactions in Portugal:

• Selling cryptocurrency for fiat currency
• Receiving cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services rendered
• Mining cryptocurrency
• Using cryptocurrency to purchase goods or services (may be subject to VAT)
• Gifting crypto
• Donating crypto

Tax on Mining Crypto 

In Portugal, income derived from mining activities related to cryptocurrencies is considered a professional or commercial activity and is subject to taxation under the country's tax laws.

The Portuguese Tax Authority applies progressive tax rates to mining activities, where 95% of the gross income is subject to taxation. This means that as the income amount increases, the tax rate also increases progressively.

The remaining 5% is presumed to be a fixed expense while carrying out the mining activities. Alternatively, if the mining activity is ceased, 85% of the sale price is considered taxable income. For instance, if a taxpayer earns €1,000 from mining, they will only be taxed on €950 in the former scenario, or €150 in the latter.

Taxpayers with income not exceeding €200,000 ($210,000) of gross business income in the previous fiscal year will be subject to a special tax regime. Under this regime, 15% of the gross income from the majority of cryptocurrency operations carried out under a business activity will be taxable at progressive rates, with the effective tax rate capped at 8% of gross proceeds.

Tax on Staking Crypto

Staking and mining are two different ways of adding and validating transactions on a blockchain. Proof-of-Work networks support mining and Proof-of-stake networks support staking. 

The Portuguese Tax Authority (AT) has not provided specific guidance on the taxation of staking rewards. However, it is generally understood that tax authorities consider staking and mining rewards as similar. Therefore, it can be reasonably assumed that staking rewards would be subject to the same tax liabilities as mining rewards in Portugal.

In the same vein, we suggest seeking guidance from an experienced tax professional to avoid complications.

Crypto Margin Trades, Futures, and CFDs

In Portugal, income derived from crypto margin trades, futures, and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) is subject to taxation as capital gains. The capital gains tax applies to the difference between the purchase price and the sale price of the asset, and the applicable rate varies depending on the capital gains earned by the taxpayer.

Crypto Gifts and Donation Taxes

When donating to a family member or friend in Portugal, the gift tax rate depends on the value of the gift and the relationship between the donor and recipient. Rates range from 0.8% to 10%. Free transfers of crypto assets are subject to Stamp Tax at a rate of 10%. This applies when the crypto assets are deposited in institutions located in Portugal. Moreover, the tax is applicable if the author of the transfer has their domicile in Portugal in the case of inheritance, or if the beneficiary has their domicile in Portugal in the case of other free transfers. 

For donations to nonprofits, the tax exemption is calculated at 25% of the donation's value, up to a maximum of 15% of the donor's total taxable income. The nonprofit organization must be registered with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority, and the donor must be a Portuguese resident or receive income from Portuguese sources to qualify for the tax exemption.

ICO Taxes

The AT is yet to release any concrete guidance on the taxation of income from ICOs. The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) is closely monitoring the launch of tokens through Initial Coin Offerings (ICO). In a press release dated July 23, 2018, CMVM advised that anyone planning to launch a cryptocurrency should first contact them. CMVM emphasised the need to evaluate each case individually due to the complexity of cryptocurrencies.

However, we’re still awaiting fresh guidance regarding their taxation and will update relevant details here as soon as the guidelines are released.

DAO Taxes

The AT is yet to release any guidelines on income received from DAOs. We are constantly looking for new guidelines, and all relevant details will be added here as soon as they hit our radar.

NFT Taxes Portugal

The new tax regime doesn’t have any guidance concerning the taxation of NFT-related transactions since the revised definition of digital assets doesn’t have any mention of NFTs, therefore, it can be assumed that NFT transactions are exempt from personal income tax laws.

DeFi Crypto Taxes Portugal

There is no specific guidance on how DeFi transactions will be taxed in the new tax regime. However, a few details can be inferred from the existing guidelines and looking at how other European countries with similar tax laws view DeFi transactions.

Drawing from the current tax legislation, it appears that any income made from lending activities will be categorised as capital income and subjected to taxation. Moreover, if an investor earns a reward from a DeFi platform based outside of Portugal for staking, or offering liquidity, such earnings may be exempted from taxation if they have already been taxed in the source state given that a double tax agreement exists between that state and Portugal.

How are Airdrops and Forks Taxed in Portugal?

Airdrops

In Portugal, if an individual receives free cryptocurrency through an airdrop, it is taxed under stamp duty laws. The value of the tokens received would be determined based on their market value at the time of conversion of the airdrop to fiat. The applicable tax rate ranges from 4% to 10%.

Forks

In Portugal, in the event of a fork where a new cryptocurrency is created from an existing one, the new tokens may be viewed as taxable income. However, whether it is taxable or not would depend on the specific circumstances of the fork and whether it meets the criteria set by the tax authorities for taxable income.

When to Report Crypto Taxes in Portugal?

The tax year in Portugal runs from January 1st to December 31st. Tax returns must be filed by April 30th of the following year, unless the taxpayer has a certified tax representative or has opted for an extension to file the return, in which case the deadline is extended to May 31st. 

It's important to note that taxpayers who fail to submit their tax returns on time may be subject to penalties and fines. Moreover, if a taxpayer's tax situation changes during the year, they may need to report and pay taxes quarterly or monthly.

How to File Crypto Taxes in Portugal

In Portugal, taxpayers can file their tax returns online through the Tax Authority's website or the eFatura platform. Here’s a stepwise tutorial on how you can file your crypto taxes online using the eFatura portal:

1. First, gather all necessary details and documentation related to crypto transactions, such as the date of purchase, the amount purchased, the purchase price, and the sale price. You must also have a valid Portuguese tax identification number (NIF).

2. Log in to the eFatura portal using your NIF and password. If you don't have an account, you can register for one on the portal's website.

3. Once you are logged in, navigate to the section for "Atividades Económicas" or "Economic Activities."

4. Under "Atividades Económicas," select the option for "IRS" or "Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares," which is the personal income tax.

5. Next, select the option for "Rendimentos Empresariais e Profissionais" or "Business and Professional Income."

6. In the section for "Rendimentos Empresariais e profissionais," select the option for "Regimes Especiais de Tributação" or "Special Taxation Regimes."

7. Under "Regimes Especiais de Tributação," select the option for "Criptomoedas" or "Cryptocurrencies."

8. Once you have selected "Criptomoedas," you will be prompted to enter the details of your crypto transactions, including the date, amount, purchase price, and sale price.

9. After you have entered all the necessary information, review your submission and make sure all details are correct.

10. Finally, submit your crypto tax report through the eFatura portal. The Tax Authority will review your submission and send you a confirmation of receipt.

How to File Crypto Taxes Using Kryptos?

Now that you’re aware of how your crypto transactions are taxed and what forms you need to fill out to complete your tax report, here’s a step-wise breakdown of how Kryptos can make this task easier for you:

1. Visit Kryptos.io and sign up using your email or Google/Apple Account
2. Choose your country, currency, time zone, and accounting method 
3. Import all your transactions from wallets and crypto exchanges
4. Choose your preferred report and click on generate report option on the left side of your screen and let Kryptos do all the accounting.
5. Once your Tax report is ready, you can download it in PDF format.

If you need more details regarding the integrations or generating your tax reports, you refer to our video guide here.

What Records will the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira want?

When filing taxes in Portugal, the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) may require individuals to provide various records and documents related to their crypto activities. Some of the records that may be requested by the AT include-

• Records of all crypto transactions made during the tax year, including the date, amount, and value of each transaction.

• Proof of ownership and transfer of any cryptocurrencies, such as digital wallet addresses and private keys.

• Records of any earnings or gains from crypto activities, such as mining, trading, or staking.

• Expense documentation related to crypto activities, such as fees for trading or mining equipment.

• Records of any losses from crypto activities, including documentation of the loss amount and evidence of the transaction that resulted in the loss.

How to Avoid Crypto Taxes in Portugal?

Although there’s no legal way to avoid paying crypto taxes entirety, you can use some of the strategies given below to lower your tax bill:

1. HODL Your Crypto Assets: Holding your crypto assets for over a year is tax-free in Portugal unless your assets are classified as securities
2. Gift Crypto to Your Friends and Family: Gifting crypto to your friends and family attracts a nominal tax rate of 0.8% in Portugal.
3. Donate Crypto to a Registered Charity: In Portugal, when you donate to a nonprofit organisation, you may be eligible for tax exemptions on your income tax return.
4. Crypto to Crypto or Crypto Into Stablecoins: Since exchanging crypto is now tax exempt in Portugal, you can convert your crypto into stablecoins to avoid immediate tax obligations.

These strategies have been discussed in detail above under the section titled “Crypto Tax Breaks Portugal”.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

1. Is Crypto Legal in Portugal?

Yes, cryptocurrency is legal in Portugal. In 2021, the Portuguese Parliament passed legislation offering a legal framework for the issuance and use of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and related services.

2. Is any Crypto tax-free in Portugal?

No, no cryptocurrency is inherently tax-free in Portugal. The Portuguese tax system requires individuals to report any income or gains earned from cryptocurrency transactions and pay taxes accordingly.

3. How to file crypto taxes using Kryptos?

We’ve already discussed how to file your crypto taxes in the above sections of the guide offering a step-wise breakdown of the entire process. However, we agree that it is unreasonably complicated even for someone with a fair amount of prior knowledge. Although there’s an easy way to file your crypto taxes using a crypto tax software called Kryptos

All you need to do is log in on the platform, add all your trading accounts, wallets, and DeFi accounts and sip coffee while Kryptos does all the heavy lifting for you. The platform can auto-fetch all your transaction from the tax year and generate a legally compliant tax report within minutes while suggesting ways to lower your tax bill. It works like magic all you need to do is try it once.

4. How is Crypto as Wages Taxed in Portugal?

In Portugal, the tax treatment of cryptocurrency wages depends on the nature of the income received. If cryptocurrency wages are classified as salary (Category A under the PIT Code), they will be subject to capital income tax. On the other hand, if cryptocurrency is classified as self-employment income (Category B under the PIT Code), it will be taxed as self-employment income.

All content on Kryptos serves general informational purposes only. It's not intended to replace any professional advice from licensed accountants, attorneys, or certified financial and tax professionals. The information is completed to the best of our knowledge and we at Kryptos do not claim either correctness or accuracy of the same. Before taking any tax position / stance, you should always consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice from the professionals. Kryptos is not liable for any loss caused from the use of, or by placing reliance on, the information on this website. Kryptos disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of any positions taken by you in your tax returns. Thank you for being part of our community, and we're excited to continue guiding you on your crypto journey!