The Netherlands will introduce a capital gains tax from 2028 as part of a major
wealth-tax overhaul, the cabinet said in a letter to the House of
Representatives. The measure will tax realized investment gains rather than
imputed or unrealized returns and the government says it has chosen a fast-track
option to bring as much wealth as possible into scope. The tax will initially
cover most financial assets — including equities, bonds and options — and is
expected to apply to about 90% of relevant assets; remaining assets will be
phased in two years later. To help fund the reform the government will set an
annual tax-free allowance for savings and investment income of €1,000 (about
$1,135) from 2028 and implement related adjustments. The cabinet said the change
will end long-standing legal uncertainty over the country’s wealth taxation
regime.
