How much tax do you pay if you sell 1 Bitcoin today in Spain
Quick answer: In Spain, Bitcoin capital gains are taxed at 19% (up to €6,000), 21% (€6,000-50,000), 23% (€50,000-200,000), 27% (€200,000-300,000) and 28% (above €300,000). If you bought 1 BTC at €30,000 and sell at €90,000, the €60,000 gain generates roughly €12,900 in tax.
"I bought Bitcoin years ago and I'm thinking of selling part. I need to know how much Hacienda will take before deciding how much to sell."
Tax on selling Bitcoin in Spain depends on the capital gain (sale − acquisition cost − fees), not on the gross sale amount. This is the most common mistake: thinking "selling €90,000 taxes €90,000". No. Only the positive difference vs what you paid is taxed.
The gain integrates into the IRPF savings base, which is progressive by brackets. You don't pay a single % on the entire gain: you pay 19% on the first €6,000, 21% on the next €44,000, 23% on the next €150,000, and so on. This bracket-by-bracket calculation on a large gain typically produces an effective rate between 21% and 25%.
You also have four levers to lower the tax: (1) offset against capital losses from the current or last 4 years, (2) split the sale across years to avoid the top bracket, (3) sell losing lots before winners to "harvest losses" for tax purposes, and (4) donate crypto instead of selling if your intent was to gift the money (though that has its own inheritance-and-gift-tax rules).
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Calculate acquisition cost using FIFO
If you bought Bitcoin in multiple lots, Spain requires FIFO: first purchase = first sale. Order your buys by date, sum quantities until you cover the Bitcoin you'll sell, and calculate the weighted cost.
- 2
Calculate the capital gain
Gain = sale price net of fees − acquisition cost (FIFO). If the result is negative, it's a capital loss and you don't pay — it will offset other gains.
- 3
Apply the IRPF savings brackets
2025-2026: 19% (€0-6,000), 21% (€6,000-50,000), 23% (€50,000-200,000), 27% (€200,000-300,000), 28% (>€300,000). Compute the tax bracket by bracket, not with a single rate.
- 4
Offset with losses if any
Current-year losses subtract directly. Losses from prior years (up to 4 back) also apply, with order: first offset current-year gains, then carry the remainder forward.
- 5
Consider splitting between fiscal years
If you'll sell a large amount, evaluate selling part in December and part in January. You split the gain across two fiscal years, each with its own €0-6,000 at 19% and €6,000-50,000 at 21%. Can save thousands of euros when gains exceed €50,000.
- 6
File in Renta Web boxes 1626-1636
Virtual-currency transfer gains go in boxes 1626 (sale value) and 1631 (acquisition value). Renta Web lets you add multiple lines for multiple sales.
Included calculator
Spanish crypto capital-gains simulator
IRPF 2025-2026 savings-base brackets. Enter your buy price, sell price and quantity.
Total sale
€90.000
Capital gain
€60.000
Estimated tax
€12.680
Bracket breakdown:
| Bracket (EUR) | Taxed | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6000 | €6000 | 19% | €1140 |
| 6000-50.000 | €44.000 | 21% | €9240 |
| 50.000-200.000 | €10.000 | 23% | €2300 |
Effective rate: 21.13% · Net after tax: €77.320
Estimate only — not tax advice. Assumes FIFO cost basis and full IRPF savings base. Regional variations may apply for Basque Country and Navarra.
Key takeaways
- Only the gain is taxed, not the gross amount.
- FIFO mandatory: first purchase = first sale for tax.
- Progressive 19-28% under the IRPF savings base.
- Splitting between years can save thousands if gain >€50k.
- Capital losses offset over 4 years.
- Tax loss harvesting: sell losing lots to reduce the bill.
Frequently asked questions
If I sell Bitcoin and buy Ethereum the same day, do I pay tax?
Yes. Crypto-to-crypto swaps are taxable events even without touching euros. The gain between the market value of the Ethereum received and the FIFO cost of the Bitcoin sold is taxed.
Can I avoid tax by moving Bitcoin to my Ledger?
No. Moving Bitcoin between your own wallets is not a taxable event (it's a transfer to yourself). But when you sell or swap from the Ledger, it's taxed the same. The only legal way to lower tax is splitting, offsetting losses or donating.
Is buying with USDT taxed the same as with euros?
Yes. The euro value of the consideration at purchase time is used. Buying 1 BTC with 30,000 USDT worth €27,000 gives a €27,000 tax basis.
What if I donate Bitcoin to a family member?
Donations are taxed under the Inheritance and Gift Tax (ISD), managed by each region. Madrid, Andalusia and others apply 99% bonifications. Catalonia or Valencia can go above 30%. Check your region's framework before donating.
Are there crypto tax havens?
Portugal was popular until 2023 (when it started taxing for the first time). UAE and Bahamas offer 0% but require real residency of more than 183 days. Changing tax residency is a serious process with legal implications; it's not a trick for a single-year sale.
Before selling, use the CryptoOráculo calculator to simulate exactly what you'll pay on the projected gain. Enter buy price, current sell price and quantity, and get the estimated tax in seconds.
Compute your tax with the calculator