What the 2026 tax reform means for property owners and investors

A comprehensive tax reform took effect on 1 January 2026 after passing through the House of Representatives in December. For property owners, the headline changes are the abolition of the Special Defence Contribution on rental income (previously an effective 2.25% on top of ordinary income tax) and a significant increase to the Capital Gains Tax lifetime exemption for selling a primary residence, up from €85,430 to €150,000. Stamp duty has also been abolished for most transaction types. As always, confirm how these changes apply to your specific situation with a tax advisor.