Bitcoin is a tool for financial autonomy. This guide gives you a practical starting point for Austria. To learn the basics first, read What is Bitcoin?.
Our guides provide general information about Bitcoin. We do not provide investment or tax advice.
1. Buying Bitcoin in Austria
You can buy Bitcoin through brokers, exchanges, or ATMs. Check the specific provider’s fees, withdrawal terms, and use of your personal data.
Only buy from providers that let you withdraw Bitcoin to your own wallet. If you can’t withdraw your bitcoin, you can’t take custody of it yourself.
You don’t need to buy a whole Bitcoin
Bitcoin is divisible into 100 million units called “satoshis” (sats). You can start with €10, €50, or €100.
Privacy when buying
Many people prefer not to link their identity unnecessarily to their Bitcoin purchases and wider financial activity. The data collected during a purchase depends on the provider and the process. ATMs and peer-to-peer platforms may also require identity checks. Read more in the Privacy Guide.
2. Your Wallet
With a self-custody wallet, you control the keys. With a custodial wallet, a provider holds them for you. Choose the model that suits you before setting up your wallet. We recommend self-custody: it lets you use your bitcoin without depending on a provider.
For smaller amounts, a mobile app is fine. For larger sums, we recommend a hardware wallet. Everything you need to know about choosing the right wallet, setting it up, and backing it up properly is in the Security Guide.
3. Recurring Bitcoin Purchases (DCA)
Why some people buy regularly
DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging) means buying the same euro amount at regular intervals, regardless of the price. When the price is high, you buy less Bitcoin. When it’s low, you buy more. The aim is to smooth out your average purchase price over time.
A recurring purchase plan spreads your entry points over time. It does not remove price volatility or the risk of loss.
Minimum amounts and fees for recurring purchases vary by provider.
4. Holding Bitcoin Yourself or Holding a Security
A Bitcoin-linked security gives you exposure to Bitcoin’s price. You hold fund shares or a debt security, depending on the product. With bitcoin in self-custody, you hold the keys yourself and can receive, send and pay directly.
| Bitcoin in self-custody | Bitcoin security | |
|---|---|---|
| What do you hold? | Bitcoin controlled by your keys | Fund shares or a debt security, depending on the product |
| Can you pay with it directly? | Yes | Usually not |
| Risks | Price losses, lost keys, theft, software faults | Price losses plus risks from the structure, issuer and custody arrangements |
| Costs | Purchase, network fees and possibly wallet hardware | Trading costs and product-specific ongoing fees |
We recommend self-custody because it lets you use bitcoin directly. With securities, your rights and risks depend on the product’s structure.
Why we focus on Bitcoin
We focus on Bitcoin as an open monetary network: you can hold your own keys, verify its rules, and use its free software. We work to preserve these choices and help people use them. That is why this guide covers Bitcoin exclusively.
5. Spotting Scams
Being asked to send Bitcoin first to unlock a larger payout or supposedly double your money is a common scam pattern. Promises of guaranteed returns are also a warning sign. When in doubt, ask at a meetup or use our scam check.
More on specific scam patterns and how to protect yourself in the Security Guide.
6. Bitcoin and Taxes in Austria
We are not tax advisors. This is a general overview.
Private Bitcoin holdings in Austria
As of 9 September 2026. This overview concerns individuals subject to Austrian taxation who hold bitcoin as private assets. Business holdings and special cases require additional consideration.
For bitcoin acquired from 1 March 2021, the rules effective from 1 March 2022 generally provide:
| Transaction | Income tax treatment |
|---|---|
| Buying with euros, simply holding | These alone do not realise a taxable gain |
| Selling for euros | Generally 27.5% on the realised gain |
| Paying for goods or services | A disposal, as with a sale |
| Moving bitcoin between your own wallets | No sale; document the internal transfer |
| Exchanging for another cryptocurrency under § 27b EStG | No disposal; the acquisition cost carries over |
An Austrian provider with a withholding obligation generally deducts KESt. Where no tax is withheld, you may need to declare the income. See the Austrian Ministry of Finance’s cryptocurrency guidance for details and exceptions.
Legacy holdings (acquired before 1 March 2021)
Private legacy holdings generally remain under the earlier rules. Selling after the speculative holding period is normally tax-free. Special cases, such as earlier lending for a return, need separate assessment; newly received coins do not automatically inherit legacy status.
Documentation
Keep records of purchase date, purchase price, sale date, sale price, and transaction IDs. Crypto tax tools can help with documentation.
FAQ
Is it too late to buy Bitcoin?
People have been asking this question for years. Whether Bitcoin will continue to appreciate, nobody knows. We recommend understanding the technology before thinking about buying.
Keep your Bitcoin safe
Learn how to store your Bitcoin safely.