Highest Capital Gains Tax Countries 2026
Jurisdictions whose top personal capital gains tax rate is 25% or more, sorted highest first. Where the rate is a range, the upper end is used. Countries with low or no capital gains tax have their own lists; this is the other end, with dividend tax, top income tax, wealth tax and foreign income treatment alongside.
11 countries in this list
Short answer: Tax Atlas tracks 11 of 53 jurisdictions that meet this list's criteria: Australia, Mexico, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada and 3 more. The key figures for each are in the table below.
How This List Works
This page is generated from the TaxAtlas dataset. Rankings use the personal and business scores plus the underlying tax data (rates, foreign income treatment, and key notes). Always verify details using the sources listed on each country page.
Australia
OceaniaMexico
North AmericaFrance
EuropeIreland
EuropeNetherlands
EuropeSpain
EuropePortugal
EuropeCanada
North AmericaDominican Republic
CaribbeanGermany
EuropeItaly
EuropeKey figures at a glance
The figures this list is built on, for every country in it. WHT is the standard withholding tax a company pays on outbound payments to non-residents, before any treaty reduction.
| Country | Capital gains | Dividend tax | Top income tax | Wealth tax | Foreign income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AustraliaOceania | 0-45% | 0-45% | 45% | No | Worldwide |
| MexicoNorth America | 35% | 10% | 35% | No | Worldwide |
| FranceEurope | 0-34.5% | 12.8-34.5% | 45% | Yes | Worldwide |
| IrelandEurope | 33% | 0-33% | 40% | No | Worldwide |
| NetherlandsEurope | 31% | 24.5-31% | 49.5% | Yes | Worldwide |
| SpainEurope | 19-30% | 19-30% | 47-54% | Yes | Worldwide |
| PortugalEurope | 28% | 28% | 48% | No | Worldwide |
| CanadaNorth America | 0-27% | 0-47.74% | 33-54.8% | No | Worldwide |
| Dominican RepublicCaribbean | 27% | 10% final | 25% | Yes | Territorial |
| GermanyEurope | 0-26.375% | 26.375% | 45% | No | Worldwide |
| ItalyEurope | 26% | 26% | 43% | Yes | Worldwide |
Figures come from each country profile in the Tax Atlas dataset; each country page lists its sources and last-updated date. Rates are headline rates for residents; special regimes, treaty rates and local taxes can change the result. Not tax advice: verify with a qualified adviser.
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FAQ
Which country has the highest capital gains tax?
Of the 53 jurisdictions Tax Atlas tracks, 11 tax personal capital gains at a top rate of 25% or more in the dataset. The highest is Australia at 0-45%, and the top five are Australia (0-45%), Mexico (35%), France (0-34.5%), Ireland (33%), Netherlands (31%). The full ranking is in the key figures table.
Why do some rates start at 0%?
In Australia, France, Canada, Germany the rate is a range: some gains are exempt or taxed lightly, for example after a holding period, below an allowance or on certain assets, and others are taxed up to the top rate shown. This list ranks by the top of the range. Each country page explains which gains are taxed.
Are the highest capital gains taxes all in Europe?
Mostly. In the dataset, France (0-34.5%), Ireland (33%), Netherlands (31%), Spain (19-30%), Portugal (28%), Germany (0-26.375%), Italy (26%) are in Europe, and Australia (0-45%), Mexico (35%), Canada (0-27%), Dominican Republic (27%) are outside it. Tax Atlas tracks 53 jurisdictions, so countries outside the dataset are not covered here.
Which of these countries also have a wealth tax?
France, Netherlands, Spain, Dominican Republic, Italy also charge a wealth tax in the dataset, so investors there can pay tax on both the gain and the value of what they hold. The wealth tax list shows what each one taxes.
Which countries have low or no capital gains tax instead?
At the other end, 28 jurisdictions in the dataset charge no personal capital gains tax, and 11 more tax gains at a top rate of 20% or less, starting with Andorra (10%), Bulgaria (10%), Panama (10%). Both have their own lists. Moving to cut tax on a large gain can trigger exit or departure taxes and anti-avoidance rules at home, so verify your own position with a qualified adviser.
How are these lists ranked?
Lists are generated from the country dataset using the criteria described on each country page (rates, foreign income treatment, and practical notes). Always confirm details with official sources.
Are these countries “tax free” for everyone?
Not necessarily. Residency rules, source rules, and special regimes vary by person. Use these lists as a starting point and verify your situation with local professionals.
How often is this updated?
We monitor listed sources periodically and update entries when changes are confirmed. Country pages show their last-updated date and citations.
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