In 2026, cryptocurrency investors in the Netherlands continue to be taxed under the country’s Box 3 wealth tax regime, where assets are assessed based on a presumed return rather than actual capital gains.
Key Takeaways:
Crypto is taxed under Box 3 based on a presumed return, not actual gains.
A 36% tax applies to the calculated yield above the €57,684 exemption threshold per person.
Valuation is based on crypto holdings’ fair market value on January 1.
Staking and mining rewards are generally taxed separately as income under Box 1.
A new system taxing actual returns is scheduled to take effect in 2028.
This means crypto holders are not taxed on realized profits, but instead on a government-calculated yield applied to the total value of their holdings as of January 1 of the tax year.
Under the current framework, crypto-assets are classified as “other assets” within Box 3. The Dutch tax authorities apply a fixed presumed return percentage to the total asset value, and that calculated amount is then taxed at a flat rate of 36%.
The first €57,684 per person is exempt from taxation, with fiscal partners benefiting from a doubled threshold. Importantly, valuation is determined based on the fair market value of crypto holdings on January 1, regardless of price fluctuations during the rest of the year.
How the Presumed Return Model Works in Practice
This structure can produce outcomes that differ significantly from real investment performance. Investors may face tax obligations even in years when market prices decline after the January 1 valuation date, as the system does not account for actual gains or losses realized later in the year. In effect, the tax burden is tied to a snapshot valuation rather than dynamic market conditions.
Staking and mining income are treated differently. Rewards received from staking or mining activities are generally taxed under Box 1 as regular income at the time they are received, rather than under the wealth tax regime.
However, the current presumed-return model is not permanent. The Netherlands plans to introduce a new taxation framework starting January 1, 2028, shifting toward taxation based on actual annual returns, including unrealized capital gains. This upcoming reform would fundamentally change how crypto and other investment assets are treated, aligning taxation more closely with real market performance.
Until then, Dutch crypto investors in 2026 remain subject to the Box 3 system – a wealth-based approach that taxes calculated returns rather than realized profits.
