Slovenia’s finance ministry has proposed a 25% tax on capital gains from cryptocurrency starting in 2026, under a draft law aimed at closing a gap in the country’s tax system.

The tax will apply to profit made when individuals sell crypto for fiat currency or spend it on goods and services. However, swapping one cryptocurrency for another will remain tax-free, and any gains made before January 1, 2026, will not be taxed, according to the finance ministry’s proposal.

The measure is meant to treat crypto gains more like other capital investments, such as stocks or bonds, which are already taxed.

Under the law, individuals would calculate their profit as the difference between the value at acquisition and at sale, adjusted for transaction fees. Losses can be carried forward to offset future gains. Taxpayers would need to file an annual return by March 31 and make payment within 15 days.

The tax could generate between €2.5 million and €25 million annually, according to preliminary government estimates. The country’s Ministry of Finance is soliciting public feedback on the proposal, which would come into effect next year.

The proposal comes as data from the European Central Bank’s ‘Survey on Consumer Payment Attitudes in the Euro Area’ shows Slovenia has the highest share of cryptocurrency owners in the euro area, with 15% of adults holding digital currencies last year, up from 8% in 2022.

Disclaimer: Information collected for this article was translated with the use of artificial intelligence.

Slovenia’s Ministry of Finance released two legislative proposals for public consultation to clarify and align the taxation of digital assets and derivatives ahead of a planned 2026 rollout, according to an April 17 release.

The first proposal, the Law on the Tax on Profit from the Disposal of Crypto Assets, introduces a 25% capital gains tax on crypto profits earned by Slovenian residents.

Meanwhile, the second proposal amends existing rules for derivatives, applying the same flat tax rate regardless of holding period.

The proposed legislation aims to align the country with international standards on digital asset regulation and transparency.

Clear guidelines for crypto tax

Under the proposed crypto tax law, individuals will be taxed on profits realized from converting cryptocurrencies into fiat currency or using them to pay for goods and services. However, crypto-to-crypto exchanges and wallet transfers between the same owner are excluded from the tax base.

The legislation defines taxable profit as the difference between the total value of disposals and acquisitions of digital assets within a calendar year. Taxpayers must maintain records of all acquisitions and disposals across all holdings and provide them upon request to tax authorities.

To ease compliance, the draft includes an optional simplified calculation method. Taxpayers can elect to pay tax on 40% of the combined value of all crypto holdings as of Dec. 31, 2025, plus the value of any disposals in the preceding five years. This one-time option covers activity going back to 2020.

The crypto tax law is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Derivatives set for uniform taxation

The accompanying amendment to the Law on the Tax on Profit from the Disposal of Derivative Financial Instruments seeks to simplify the current regime by eliminating the distinction between short- and long-term holdings.

All gains from derivatives would be taxed at a flat 25%, irrespective of the duration of ownership or transaction date.

The Ministry of Finance said that the changes fulfill commitments outlined in Slovenia’s 2023–2030 Capital Market Development Strategy and are intended to reduce administrative burdens while enhancing tax certainty for investors.

Both draft bills are open to public feedback as the government prepares to update its fiscal framework for modern financial instruments.