Bitcoin in Italy: rules, tax and how it's priced
In Italy bitcoin is quoted in euros per 1 BTC (BTC/EUR), usually written with a decimal comma, and small amounts are often given as a fraction of a bitcoin or in satoshis (100 million sats = 1 BTC). The figures on this page are the international BTC/USD price converted at today's EUR/USD exchange rate, before exchange fees, spreads and any local premium.
Is bitcoin legal in Italy? Consob and MiCA
Owning and trading bitcoin is legal in Italy, but it is not legal tender. Before MiCA, crypto providers only had to register with the OAM, the body that keeps Italy's register of agents and mediators, under anti-money-laundering rules. Since 30 December 2024 crypto-asset service providers have been regulated under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), with Consob and the Bank of Italy as the national authorities. Italy allowed OAM-registered providers to keep operating during a transitional period if they applied for MiCA authorisation by 30 December 2025; that period ended on 30 June 2026. Since then firms serving Italian clients need MiCA authorisation from Consob or from another EU regulator.
How is bitcoin taxed in Italy?
Gains on crypto-assets are taxed as "miscellaneous income" (redditi diversi) with a flat substitute tax. The 2025 Budget Law raised the rate from 26% to 33% for gains realised from 1 January 2026, and the 2026 Budget Law confirmed it, keeping 26% only for euro-denominated e-money tokens (euro stablecoins) that meet MiCA requirements. The 26% rate applies only when the euro stablecoin is what you dispose of; swapping bitcoin into a euro stablecoin is taxed at 33%. The old €2,000 tax-free threshold was abolished from 2025, so every gain is taxable. Selling bitcoin for euros, spending it, or swapping it for a crypto-asset with different characteristics, such as a stablecoin, is taxable; swaps between crypto-assets with the same characteristics and functions, such as bitcoin for another cryptocurrency, are not. Holders could reduce the tax on past gains by revaluing their holdings with an optional 18% substitute tax, but that option closed in 2025 and no new window was open in 2026. Crypto holdings must also be reported in the tax return and are subject to an annual tax of 0.2% of their value at 31 December. If you hold them through an Italian intermediary it is collected as stamp duty (imposta di bollo); otherwise you pay it yourself through your tax return.
Buying bitcoin in Italy and DAC8
Italian residents buy bitcoin in euros through MiCA-authorised exchanges and brokers, many of them authorised in other EU countries under the MiCA passport; check the ESMA register before opening an account, as Consob regularly blocks unauthorised investment websites. Bitcoin exchange-traded products listed on European exchanges are also available through securities accounts. Since 1 January 2026, under the EU directive DAC8, which Italy has transposed, crypto-asset service providers must collect information on their users and report their transactions to the tax authorities, with the first data for 2026 reaching the Agenzia delle Entrate in 2027.
Legal and tax information last reviewed October 2026. Crypto rules change quickly — check with the regulator or tax authority, or a qualified adviser, before acting. This is not tax, legal or investment advice.