Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Capital Gains: DGT doctrinal evolution

How the DGT's position on this topic has evolved, and the rulings it rests on.

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How the DGT's position has evolved

Stable position Medium confidence 50 rulings · 2015–2026

Current position

Cryptocurrencies are intangible assets whose sale generates capital gains or losses within savings income, with the result calculated independently for each type of cryptocurrency. In partial sales of the same asset, the criterion of transmitting those acquired first is applied. Likewise, gains from the transfer of shares derived from call options are not taxed in Spain if they do not meet the requirements of the TRLIRNR (Non-Resident Income Tax Law), distinguishing them from the associated employment income.

The DGT's position does not show a doctrinal evolution regarding a single concept, but rather addresses the nature of different assets. It has moved from dealing with the exemption for reinvestment in life annuities and reporting limits, to defining the taxation of digital assets and the distinction between employment income and capital gains in stock option schemes.

Turning points

  1. V0491-26

    Defines cryptocurrencies as intangible assets and establishes that results must be calculated independently for each type of cryptocurrency.

  2. V1639-26

    Distinguishes between employment income from call options and the capital gain derived from the transfer of shares, clarifying that the latter is not always understood as being obtained in Spanish territory.

Analysis based on 47 of 50 rulings with a stated position. Updated 28 August 2026.

Rulings on this topic

24
V1639-26 19 Jun 2026

Consolidated call option returns after relocation taxed under special regime in Spain

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
régimen especial de desplazadosopciones de comprarendimientos del trabajoganancias patrimonialesconsolidación de opciones LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 93.2.bRIRPF — RD 439/2007, Reglamento del IRPF art. 114.2.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1424-26 8 Jun 2026

Sale of collectibles may be treated as business activity or as patrimonial gain

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
actividades económicasganancias patrimonialesvalor de adquisiciónvalor de transmisiónbienes de consumo duradero LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 27.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.5.b
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1188-26 20 May 2026

Shareholding determines homogeneity and attribution of capital gains

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
valores homogéneostitularidad dominicalganancias patrimonialescotitularidadrégimen económico matrimonial LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 11.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 11.5
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1082-26 18 May 2026

No obligation to file tax return if income thresholds not exceeded

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajorentas inmobiliarias imputadasganancias patrimonialesayudas públicasobligación de declarar LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 85
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0889-26 22 Apr 2026

Cryptocurrency sales taxed as capital gains, exempt from VAT

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
criptoactivomoneda virtualganancias patrimonialesbienes inmaterialesfungibilidad LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0524-26 5 Mar 2026

Gains from property transfer exempt if reinvested in life annuities

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
ganancias patrimonialesrenta vitaliciaexención por reinversióntransmisión de elementos patrimonialesentidad aseguradora LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 38.3RIRPF — RD 439/2007, Reglamento del IRPF art. 42
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0491-26 3 Mar 2026

Crypto sale profits taxed as savings income and calculated by asset type

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
ganancias patrimonialesrenta del ahorromonedas virtualesbienes inmaterialesvalor de adquisición LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0081-26 20 Jan 2026

Exemption possible for share transfers if LIS article 21 conditions met

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
exenciónganancias patrimonialesparticipación significativarenta positivagastos de gestión LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 21.1LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 21.3
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2146-25 13 Nov 2025

Children liable to declare may join family tax unit

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
tributación conjuntaunidad familiarganancias patrimonialesobligación de declararrentas del capital LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 82LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 83
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1086-25 25 Jun 2025

Prizes from non-economic sports activities classified as patrimonial gains

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
ganancias patrimonialesactividades económicasrendimientos de actividades profesionalesretención de iprfmedios de producción LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 27LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0687-25 15 Apr 2025

Products received in Amazon Vine must be valued at market value inclusive of VAT

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rentas en especievalor de mercadoganancias patrimonialesvaloración de elementos patrimonialesincremento de patrimonio LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 34.1.b
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0666-25 14 Apr 2025

Cryptocurrencies not considered actions or shares for residency gain regime

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
ganancias patrimonialescambio de residenciamonedas virtualescriptoactivosacciones o participaciones LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 95.bisLGT — Ley 58/2003 General Tributaria art. 89.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1607-24 3 Jul 2024

Minimum for descendants not applicable if child earns above 1,800 euros

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
mínimo por descendientesganancias patrimonialespérdidas patrimonialescriptomonedasrenta del ahorro LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

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