Tax Law · European Union
Sell With Confidence by Getting Your Capital Gains Tax Right
Every disposal — a property, a business, a shareholding or other assets — can trigger capital gains tax, and the rate, allowances and timing rules differ sharply by country. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted tax lawyer who handles capital gains cases in that jurisdiction, so you know your real liability before you sell.
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Who this is for
A gain can be taxable even when you never see the money as cash
Capital gains tax applies to the profit you make when you sell or otherwise dispose of an asset — property, shares, a business interest or certain other holdings — for more than you acquired it for. What counts as a gain, and what you may deduct, is not always obvious: purchase costs, transaction fees and qualifying improvements often reduce the taxable amount, while holding periods, your residency status and the nature of the asset can all change the rate. The rules vary substantially by country, and in cross-border cases more than one state may claim the right to tax the same gain. Timing matters enormously, because the date of disposal and how an asset is held can shift a large tax bill into a much smaller one. A specialist can map your exact position.
Why sellers are caught out
The gain is rarely just ‘sale price minus purchase price’.
Getting the basis wrong is expensive.
Allowances, holding-period relief and cross-border claims all move the number — and most people only discover them after filing.
Calculating the wrong taxable gain
Deductible costs, improvements and transaction fees all reduce the gain, but missing them means paying tax on money you never really made. The correct basis is where most errors start.
Missing holding-period and residency reliefs
Many countries tax long-held assets more favourably or exempt certain gains entirely, and the treatment often differs for non-residents — relief that goes unclaimed is money lost.
Two countries taxing the same gain
A property or shareholding abroad can trigger a claim from both the country of the asset and your country of residence, leaving you taxed twice unless treaty relief is properly applied.
What you get
A tax lawyer who computes and defends your real gain
We only match you with tax lawyers who handle disposals, gains and cross-border relief in your specific jurisdiction.
Accurate gain computation
Your lawyer builds the correct cost basis from purchase price, fees and qualifying improvements, so the taxable gain is right before you commit to a sale.
Relief & allowance mapping
Holding-period exemptions, annual allowances, rollover relief and main-home rules are all identified and applied, so you pay no more than the law actually requires of you.
Cross-border double-tax handling
Where two countries claim the same gain, your lawyer applies the relevant tax treaty to decide where it is taxed and claims any credit or exemption due.
Pre-sale timing advice
Before you dispose of an asset, your lawyer reviews the timing and structure of the sale to flag lawful ways to reduce the tax that would otherwise fall due.
Coverage
Capital gains tax lawyers across Europe
Capital gains rules are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who works with your specific country’s tax authority and treaty network. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Capital gains tax — common questions
What exactly is a capital gain?
A capital gain is the profit realised when you dispose of an asset — such as property, shares or a business interest — for more than its cost. The taxable amount is usually the sale proceeds minus allowable costs like the purchase price, transaction fees and qualifying improvements, so the correct basis matters.
Which assets are subject to capital gains tax?
Commonly property, shares, funds and business interests, though some countries exempt or favour certain assets such as a main home or long-held holdings. The scope and any exemptions vary by country, so it is worth confirming how your specific asset is treated.
Do non-residents pay capital gains tax in Europe?
In many cases yes — a non-resident selling property or shares located in a country can be taxed there on the gain, often at a different rate or with different allowances than a resident. Your country of residence may also claim the same gain, so treaty relief may be relevant.
Can holding an asset longer reduce the tax?
Several countries offer reduced rates or exemptions for assets held beyond a certain period, though the rules differ widely. Because timing can materially change the tax, it is worth checking the holding-period rules before you decide when to sell.
What happens if two countries tax the same gain?
Where two states claim the right to tax one gain, the relevant tax treaty usually allocates that right and provides for a credit or exemption to prevent double taxation. The relief is not automatic, so a lawyer should confirm which treaty applies and claim it properly.
Can a lawyer help me reduce capital gains tax legally?
Yes. A tax lawyer can compute the correct basis, apply every allowance and holding-period relief available, structure the timing of the disposal and handle any cross-border credit — all within the rules, so you pay only what is genuinely due.
Free case review
Know the real cost before you sell, not after
Tell us what you are selling and where, and we’ll connect you with a tax lawyer who handles capital gains cases in that country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.