How capital gains tax works in Poland
Poland generally applies a 19% separate tax to individual gains from shares, securities, investment funds, derivatives and similar capital assets. The annual tax is based on the net result after eligible acquisition and disposal costs, rather than on the taxpayer's 12%/32% employment bracket.
Share and securities disposals are usually reported in PIT-38 between 15 February and 30 April of the following year. A loss can generally be carried forward against the same source for five years, subject to the statutory annual and one-off limits.
Virtual-currency disposal gains are also generally taxed at 19%. Buying one cryptocurrency with another is not itself treated as a taxable disposal, while costs of acquiring crypto can be carried into a later year. Private real-estate disposal is generally taxed at 19% when sold before the end of the fifth year counted from the end of the acquisition year; a qualifying own-housing relief may reduce or eliminate the tax.
Tax rates at a glance
- Shares and securities
- 19%Net gain
- Derivatives and funds
- 19%
- Virtual currencies
- 19%
- Private real-estate disposal
- 19%
- Real-estate holding period
- 5 years
- Capital-loss carryforward
- 5 years
Who benefits most
These profiles tend to benefit most when the rules match their real residence, payroll and business setup.
InvestorsCrypto holdersProperty ownersShareholdersFamily offices
Watch out for
- The 19% securities rate is charged on the net gain, but broker statements do not always cover every asset or foreign platform. Keep acquisition costs, fees, transfers and currency records.
- Real estate is not subject to the same timing rule as shares. The five-year period is counted from the end of the acquisition year, and selling before it can create a 19% PIT liability even if the property was held for several calendar years.
- The own-housing relief is fact-specific and generally requires the sale proceeds to be used for qualifying housing purposes within the statutory period. It should not be treated as an automatic principal-residence exemption.
- A company selling an asset usually deals with CIT rather than the individual's PIT rules, and a sale by a business can also raise VAT and transfer-pricing questions.
Frequently asked questions
Does Poland tax stock-market gains?
Yes. Individual gains from shares and many other securities are generally taxed at 19% on the annual net result and reported in PIT-38.
How are crypto gains taxed in Poland?
Crypto disposal income is generally taxed at 19% after eligible costs. Crypto-to-crypto exchange is generally not a taxable disposal, but documentation of purchases and sales is important.
When is property sale exempt from tax in Poland?
A private property sale is generally outside PIT after the end of the fifth year counted from the end of the acquisition year. Earlier sales may qualify for an own-housing relief if its conditions are met.