Spain Sets 2026 Timeline for Full MiCA and DAC8 Rules

• Spain enforces MiCA licensing from July 2026, ending registry-based crypto operations.
• DAC8 starts January 2026, requiring full crypto transaction reporting to tax bodies.
• CNMV and the tax agency coordinate oversight, raising compliance costs for crypto firms.

Spain confirmed a fixed 2026 schedule to enforce MiCA and DAC8. Authorities in Madrid set January 1, 2026, for DAC8 tax reporting and July 1, 2026, for MiCA licensing. The plan involves the CNMV, tax authorities, exchanges, and users, aiming to align Spain with EU compliance standards.

Spain Confirms MiCA Licensing Deadline for July 2026

Spain will fully apply the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation on July 1, 2026, after using the maximum transition window. Although MiCA became applicable across the EU in December 2024, Spain delayed domestic enforcement. However, regulators finalized the timeline in early December, according to local reports.

Oversight of MiCA implementation rests with the National Securities Market Commission, known as the CNMV. Currently, more than 60 firms remain registered to operate under Spain’s existing crypto registry. These include CECABANK, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, and Renta 4 Banco.

Under the transition rules, registered firms may continue operations until the July deadline. After that date, only fully authorized MiCA providers may operate in Spain. Notably, the framework replaces a registry-based system with formal authorization requirements.

MiCA introduces standardized asset classifications, including utility tokens, security tokens, and stablecoins. It also sets uniform rules for issuance, custody, and marketing activities. As a result, firms must meet capital, governance, and disclosure standards to remain active.

In mid-December, the CNMV published guidance explaining how MiCA oversight will function in Spain. The commission also confirmed that firms failing to obtain authorization must exit the market. Consequently, Spain expects a reduced but fully compliant service provider base after July 2026.

DAC8 Starts January 2026 

While MiCA governs market structure, Spain’s tax focus centers on DAC8. The Administrative Cooperation Directive enters into force on January 1, 2026. Spain approved the directive through Congress in October 2025.

DAC8 requires crypto exchanges and service providers to automatically report user data to tax authorities. The reported data includes transactions, balances, and asset movements. Notably, the reporting covers sales, exchanges, and transfers without minimum thresholds.

Information collected during the 2026 fiscal year will reach tax authorities in 2027. According to the European Commission, EU-wide DAC8 adoption could raise 2.4 billion euros in additional revenue. Spain will contribute data through its national tax agency, the Agencia Tributaria.

Tax consultant José Antonio Bravo Mateu said the scope of reporting will exceed traditional banking disclosures. He explained that banks report balances above 250,000 euros, while crypto reporting captures all movements. “Even a two-euro exchange will be recorded,” he said.

DAC8 also grants authorities enforcement powers over digital assets. The tax agency may order asset freezes or liquidations to settle unpaid tax debts. This authority applies to Spanish platforms first, then EU platforms through shared reporting.

Related: Ripple and BBVA Partner to Expand Blockchain Payments in Spain

Industry Adjustment and Political Debate 

As the deadlines get closer, crypto companies in Spain are updating their compliance systems. They need to match MiCA licensing rules with DAC8 reporting, which means stronger identity checks and standardized transaction records.

Some critics say Spain is taking a tougher approach than other countries. José Luis Cava, author of The Art of Speculating, criticized policymakers for ignoring U.S. legislative trends. He referenced the proposed “Bitcoin for America Act,” which allows bitcoin tax payments without capital gains taxes.

Domestic political debate also shaped the regulatory process. The Sumar Parliamentary Group proposed amendments during discussions on anti-fraud legislation. These proposals sought higher tax burdens on crypto earnings between October and November.

Despite criticism, Spain proceeded with the full adoption of both frameworks. Authorities emphasized alignment with EU law rather than national divergence. As a result, the rules combine market supervision and tax transparency with clear deadlines.

Together, MiCA and DAC8 set Spain’s crypto regulations for 2026 with specific enforcement dates. DAC8 comes first, requiring complete transaction reporting from January. MiCA follows in July, allowing only fully licensed providers to operate. These rules show Spain’s strict and compliance-focused approach to digital assets.