Netherlands Ditches Wealth Tax Over Exodus Fears
1st October 2026
The Netherlands has dumped plans to tax unrealised gains on shares, bonds and cryptocurrency after warnings it could prompt an investor exodus.
Rob Jetten, the prime minister, a liberal who took office in February, will instead introduce a more conventional capital gains tax (CGT) on actual profits at a rate of 36pc.
The switch will cost the government €15bn (£13bn) over the next eight years. But Mr Jetten hopes to claw that back by cutting the tax-free allowance for capital gains, bringing more small-time investors into the net.
I guess not spending more than you’re taking in wasn’t an option. Of course, with government, it never it.