German Committee to Debate Crypto Tax Holding Period on October 12

The German Bundestag's petitions committee will hold a public debate on October 12, 2026, regarding the tax holding period for crypto assets. The session, scheduled from 12 noon to 2 pm in Berlin, will discuss petitions aiming to preserve the current one-year holding period for tax-free gains on private crypto disposals. The committee will hear from petitioners and federal government representatives, who will answer questions about the proposed changes.

Petition 201716, co-signed by 44,439 people, seeks to maintain the existing one-year holding period under Section 23 of the German Income Tax Act. The petition opposes a draft bill that would eliminate this period, making all crypto gains taxable regardless of holding duration. The draft bill proposes taxing gains at a flat rate of 25 percent, plus additional surcharges.

Interested individuals can register to attend the session in person until October 9, 2026, at 12 noon. Those who cannot attend can follow the livestream on the Bundestag's website or watch the recorded session later. The debate is a crucial step before the cabinet decides on the draft bill on October 14, 2026.

The grandfathering clause in the draft bill sets December 31, 2026, as a cutoff date for existing holdings, which will determine how they are taxed under the new regulations. This deadline is critical for crypto investors planning their portfolios.