Austrian Tax Exit 2026: Wegzugsbesteuerung on Holdings and Finanzamt Notification

Wegzugsbesteuerung in 2026: what triggers the exit tax

Austrian Wegzugsbesteuerung is regulated under §27 Abs. 6 Z 1 lit. b EStG (Einkommensteuergesetz) and applies when an Austrian tax resident gives up unbeschränkte Steuerpflicht — by deregistering the Hauptwohnsitz, by ending the gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt of more than 6 months per year, or by moving the centre of life abroad. The trigger creates a deemed disposal (”fiktive Veräußerung”) of capital assets at fair market value on the day before tax residence ends. Capital gains are subject to the 27.5% Kapitalertragsteuer (KESt) on shares, ETFs, fund units and crypto, and to the standard income tax tariff (up to 55% in 2026) on Beteiligungen above 1% in corporations under §31 EStG.

Crucially, since the 2018 reform implementing the EU ATAD (Anti-Tax-Avoidance Directive), the system distinguishes between EU/EEA destinations and third countries. Moves to other EU/EEA states allow Steueraufschub (tax deferral) without interest until actual disposal of the asset, while moves to third countries (including Switzerland for non-Schengen-aligned assets, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia) trigger immediate taxation in instalments over 7 years (§27 Abs. 6 Z 1 lit. b EStG in conjunction with §31 EStG).

EU/EEA versus third country: the key difference

The deferral is granted automatically through the Einkommensteuererklärung if you tick the relevant Wegzugsanlage. You then file an annual report (Mitteilung) confirming the assets are still held — failure to confirm can revoke the deferral and trigger immediate full payment.

What assets are caught by Wegzugsbesteuerung

Listed shares, ETFs and fund units (§27(3) EStG)

Subject to KESt at 27.5% on the unrealised gain (market value minus historical Anschaffungskosten). Brokers report directly to FinanzOnline since 2024 via the standard Steuerreport, simplifying calculation. Foreign-domiciled ETFs trigger Steuerreporting obligations and may not qualify for KESt-Endbesteuerung — these often fall under §27 Abs. 5 Z 7 EStG (Investmentfondsgesetz) and require special treatment.

Cryptocurrency (since 2022)

Crypto is fully integrated into §27 EStG since the EcoSocReform 2022 and treated as Kapitalvermögen. Wegzug triggers a deemed sale at the market value on the day prior to losing tax residence. The 27.5% rate applies. Self-custody wallets must be valued via a documented exchange-rate source (e.g. Kraken, Bitpanda Pro, OKX) on the reporting date.

Private equity and qualified holdings (§31 EStG, > 1%)

If you hold more than 1% of a corporation (Austrian or foreign), the deemed disposal is taxed under the progressive Einkommensteuertarif up to 55% rather than the 27.5% KESt rate. This includes private companies, family Holdings, and many startup ESOP grants where vesting exceeds the 1% threshold.

Gold, art and other Sachwerte

Physical gold and art are not within §27 EStG and are not subject to Wegzugsbesteuerung — they are taxed only on actual disposal as Spekulationsgeschäft under §31 EStG (1-year speculation period applies for art and collectibles). For gold specifically, Austrian Goldmünzen (Wiener Philharmoniker) are exempt due to monetary status.

Reporting and FinanzOnline workflow

The 2026 FinanzOnline workflow for Wegzug is consolidated under the Wohnsitzwechsel module. After Meldeamt Abmeldung the Finanzamt receives ZMR notification automatically and switches the file to beschränkte Steuerpflicht for Austrian-source income (rental, employment, pensions). You must then file the Einkommensteuererklärung E1 for the move year by 30 June of the following year (FinanzOnline) or 30 April (paper), declaring all worldwide income up to the deregistration date and the deemed disposal under §27 EStG.

For deferrals to the EU/EEA, attach Beilage E1c (Wegzugsanlage) listing each asset, ISIN/identifier, Anschaffungswert, Market value at Wegzug, and the unrealised gain. The Finanzamt issues a Bescheid setting out the deferred tax amount. From then on, every 31 January you file a one-page Mitteilung confirming continued holding.

Common mistakes that trigger immediate full payment

Failure to file the annual Mitteilung after deferral is the single biggest source of avoidable tax bills. Other frequent errors include forgetting to include foreign-domiciled accounts (Interactive Brokers, Trade Republic — both still subject to Austrian Wegzug rules while you are resident), undervaluing crypto by using single-source exchange rates (the Finanzamt requires Average over multiple regulated exchanges or the BMF crypto Verlautbarung rate), and assuming that a temporary relocation (e.g. 12 months sabbatical) does not break tax residence — in practice, Hauptwohnsitz Abmeldung plus absence over 6 months is decisive.

Coordination with Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen (DBA)

Austria has DBAs with 90+ countries. The DBA assigns taxing rights between Austria and the destination state. For exit tax specifically, the OECD Model Convention Article 13(5) generally allocates capital gains taxation to the residence state at disposal — meaning Austria has primary right to tax pre-departure unrealised gains. Most DBAs (with USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, France, Italy) explicitly recognise the Austrian Wegzugsbesteuerung and provide for credit of any double taxation in the destination state.

If you later sell the asset abroad, the destination country may also tax the gain — your Austrian Wegzug payment is credited via Anrechnungsmethode under the DBA. Keep all Wegzugsbescheide indefinitely, even decades later: foreign tax authorities will request them when calculating their own basis.

Pre-emptive planning: 12 months before the move

Realising gains before Wegzug at the regular 27.5% KESt with sparbuchähnlicher cash-out and re-investment can sometimes match or beat the deferral mechanism, especially when the destination country has lower long-term capital gains rates (e.g. Portugal NHR pre-2024, Cyprus 0% on listed shares, UAE 0% on most capital gains). Conversely, if your destination has high CGT (US federal + state, France 30% flat tax), the deferral preserves more value.

For founders and early employees holding ESOP/qualified Beteiligungen, Wegzug planning starts 24-36 months ahead. Consider a partial pre-Wegzug sale to crystallise basis, restructuring through an EU holding company, or timing the move to align with vesting cliff events. Always engage a Steuerberater specialised in Wegzug before triggering the move — costs of €1,500-5,000 typically save 5-50× their value in tax planning. See our Immo-ESt guide if real estate is part of the portfolio, since property has its own dedicated regime.