When you become a Portugal tax residency, a legal status granted to individuals who live in Portugal for more than 183 days a year or maintain a permanent home there. Also known as tax resident in Portugal, it unlocks some of the most favorable crypto tax rules in Europe. Unlike most countries, Portugal doesn’t tax capital gains from selling Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies if you’ve held them for over a year. That means if you bought ETH in 2021 and sold it in 2025, you keep every euro of profit—no government cut.
This isn’t a loophole. It’s official policy. The Portuguese tax authority (Autoridade Tributária) has clarified since 2018 that crypto-to-crypto trades and sales by individuals are exempt from capital gains tax. Even if you cash out to euros, as long as it’s not part of a business, you pay 0%. Short-term trades (under a year) are taxed at a flat 28%, which is still lower than most EU countries. What makes this even more powerful is that Portugal doesn’t tax foreign income, dividends, or interest for tax residents. So if you’re earning staking rewards from Ethereum or holding Solana tokens, those are also tax-free.
But getting Portugal tax residency, a legal status granted to individuals who live in Portugal for more than 183 days a year or maintain a permanent home there. Also known as tax resident in Portugal, it unlocks some of the most favorable crypto tax rules in Europe. isn’t just about moving your suitcase. You need to prove you’re living there. That means renting or buying property, opening a local bank account, and showing regular presence. Many crypto investors set up a small apartment in Lisbon or Porto and use it as their primary base. You don’t need to quit your job abroad—you just need to be physically present enough to qualify. Some even use the D7 passive income visa, which lets retirees and remote workers live legally without needing a Portuguese employer.
And it’s not just Bitcoin. The same rules apply to DeFi tokens, NFT sales, and even crypto earned from airdrops—if you’re a resident and not trading as a business. But here’s the catch: if you’re mining or running a crypto business from Portugal, you’ll pay corporate taxes. The exemption only covers personal holdings. That’s why most people keep their trading activity separate from any formal business structure.
Portugal also doesn’t share financial data with other countries under CRS for crypto holdings. That means your wallet activity stays private unless you trigger a local audit. Combine that with no wealth tax, no inheritance tax on crypto, and no tax on foreign pensions, and you’ve got one of the cleanest tax environments for digital assets in the world.
Below, you’ll find real cases, scams to avoid, and how others are using Portugal’s rules to legally cut their crypto tax bill to zero in 2025. Some of these stories are about people who moved and saved tens of thousands. Others are about those who thought they qualified—but didn’t. You’ll see what works, what doesn’t, and exactly what documents you need to prove residency without overcomplicating it.
Portugal's NHR program ended in 2025, closing the door on crypto tax exemptions for new residents. Learn what crypto tax rules still apply, how IFICI works, and how to legally minimize your tax bill in 2025.